Ground has been broken on the Lumsden Point Access Road and Pinga Street intersection upgrades to support the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub at Port Hedland on the north coast of Western Australia.
The road and intersection work at Lumsden Point will support the import of wind turbine and renewable energy components into the Pilbara, as well as the export of battery metals such as lithium and copper concentrates.
To complement the Lumsden Point development, a new grade-separated rotary interchange will be constructed at the current intersection of Great Northern Highway and Pinga Street.
Two new single-span, 15-metre-long structures, with four lanes over a round underpass will connect Pinga Street to the new Lumsden Point Access Road.
New ramps will allow access on and off the Great Northern Highway, with new turning pockets to be built at the Lumsden Point Access Road.
The new intersection will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at Lumsden Point and Pinga Street, while also facilitating the safe movement of oversize vehicles out of Lumsden Point.
The efficient import of renewable energy components is essential to the development of WA's renewable energy industry and achieving net zero goals.
Lumsden Point provides an alternative import facility to Fremantle, which will reduce transport emissions.
Substantial progress has already been made on the new Lumsden Point Port development, which includes new shipping berths and a substantial lay-down area for imported equipment.
The Australian Government has committed $565 million in grant funding to support common user port upgrades at Port Hedland and Dampier in the Pilbara.
In February, the Australian and WA Governments finalised a $140 million agreement to build a hydrogen hub in the Pilbara.
The combined $140 million investment ($70 million each from the Australian and WA Governments) will help build infrastructure to support hydrogen exports as well as fund activities for a Clean Energy Training and Research Institute.
Quotes attributable to Western Australian Premier Roger Cook:
"The Pilbara is a globally recognised resources hub and demand for renewable energy will only become stronger into the future.
"By building our hydrogen production capability, we are investing in the future of the Pilbara.
"The work being done now will ensure that the region that powers the nation's economy can be powered by renewable energy."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Albanese Government is pleased to be partnering with the Cook Labor Government to fund these upgrades, which will better facilitate large imported materials being moved from Lumsden Point and improve traffic access to the area.
"These port upgrades in the Pilbara will help unlock trade and investment opportunities and support a future made in Australia.
"This is another example of the Australian and WA Government funding partnership which invests in good infrastructure that opens opportunities for businesses and communities."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
"The Pilbara Hydrogen Hub shows what can be achieved when Commonwealth and state governments work collaboratively to deliver projects that benefit people and industry, helping establish Australia's future as a renewable energy superpower.
"Today's announcement brings Western Australia and the Pilbara region closer to realising its future as a world-class producer and exporter of clean energy and products, capitalising on the huge opportunities that come from the global shift to net zero."
Quotes attributable to Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The WA Government continues to invest in common user infrastructure and the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub is a key example of this.
"Lumsden Point Road will assist in reducing transport emissions along with allowing imports to occur closer to Pilbara based renewable energy projects."
Quotes attributable to Western Australian Ports Minister David Michael:
"New port facilities at Lumsden Point will provide regional import capability to support the renewable energy industry.
"New shipping berths and a lay down area will grow the capacity of the Port of Port Hedland, while this latest ground breaking is the next step for the region's evolution."
Quotes attributable to State Member for Pilbara Kevin Michel:
"Projects like this are an investment in a prosperous and sustainable future for communities in the Pilbara.
"The works will provide quality local jobs and career pathways for decades to come."