Media Releases
Efficient Ports Crucial to Sector
02/02/12
Key to the success of the State Government’s reform of WA ports will be in-depth consultation with the resources sector.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith welcomed today’s announcement as it signalled a move toward administrative efficiency gains at key export points.
“The Government has outlined significant change in the way ports are managed and industry hopes the implementation lead time will provide for in-depth consultation with the WA resources sector and all port users,” Mr Howard-Smith said.
“Efficient ports are crucial to the success of the Western Australian resources sector. Without well managed port operations the hard work that goes into extracting and processing our natural resources is undermined, and we cannot realise our export potential.
“The consolidation of Regional Port Authorities should enable the State Government to bolster the expertise and experience needed at WA Ports, to improve the management and performance of these key export points.
“The WA resources sector exports more than 40 different mineral and petroleum products and is leading the nation on total merchandise exports (46 per cent or $118.4billion in 2010-11).”
Under the government’s plan, seven out of eight regional port authorities will be consolidated into four.
The four Regional Port Authorities will also assume control of the 13 smaller ports currently controlled by the Department of Transport. Five future ports planned for the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid-West will also come under control of the regional authorities.
CME has previously raised concerns about the management of WA Ports, and called for Port Authorities to return its focus to a trade facilitation role.
“While consolidation of regional ports may in time lead to more efficient outcomes, it is extremely important that current port operations and expansion works needed to enable export growth at regional ports are not impacted by these changes,” Mr Howard-Smith said.
“There is no reason why operational issues cannot begin to be addressed now.”