In November 2017, the Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 was introduced to the Parliament of Western Australia. The Bill was passed and given Royal Assent by the Governor of Western Australia to become legislation in February 2019.
The legislation will facilitate the transfer of the following Pilbara region ports from the Department of Transport to Pilbara Ports.
The legislation allows for the transfer of ports to occur at different times, dependent on consultation between the Department of Transport, the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and port operators, and amendments to relevant State Agreement Acts.
Barrow Island is located 30Nm from the Pilbara coastline, 75Nm from the Port of Dampier, and approximately 1,235km north of Perth. The Port of Barrow Island is located on the east coast of Barrow Island.
LNG, condensate and oil are exported from the Port of Barrow Island to global markets. Processed gas is also exported to the mainland to supply the Western Australian domestic gas market.
The Port of Cape Preston is located along the Pilbara coastline approximately 1,490km from Perth.
The port is located adjacent to, and immediately west of, the proposed Port of Cape Preston East, and approximately 40km north-east of the proposed Port of Cape Preston West.
Magnetite concentrate is exported from the port.
The Port of Onslow is located along the Pilbara coastline approximately 1,400km from Perth. It is adjacent to, and immediately east of, the Port of Ashburton.
The Port of Onslow is a multi-user port, predominantly used for commodity exports (salt), supply base services and recreation. It is also home to the Beadon Creek Maritime Facility.
The Port of Port Walcott is located along the Pilbara coastline approximately 1,600km north of Perth and 70km east of the Port of Dampier.
The Port of Port Walcott is a multi-user port, with iron ore exports, commercial fishing and recreation being the predominant uses. It is also home to the Johns Creek Maritime Facility.
The proposed Port of Anketell will be co-located with Port Walcott.