Planning and preparatory work for key freight rail upgrades and a new grade separation in Perth’s south is underway to support the future Westport container terminal in Kwinana.
A consortium of engineering firms, Arup Australia Projects Pty Ltd and WSP Australia Pty Ltd, has been appointed to form an integrated project team with Main Roads WA and the Public Transport Authority.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King commented: “upgrading freight rail infrastructure is a long-term solution to meeting Western Australia’s future freight demand while supporting safer and less congested roads. Encouraging more containers off our roads and onto rail is key to making the entire container supply chain safer and more efficient. These planning works are vital to boosting rail’s share of container movements once the new port terminal opens, so I am pleased to see them moving ahead”.
WA Transport and Major Infrastructure Minister Rita Saffioti added: “building a new container port in Kwinana is critical to securing our State’s long-term trade future, generating thousands of local jobs and strengthening Western Australia’s economy. These upgrades will help future-proof our State’s freight rail network ready for Westport, so we can move more containers off our roads and onto rail”.
Planning and project development work is being undertaken for:
- A new freight rail connection to link the future Westport container terminal to the existing rail network east of Rockingham Road.
- Duplication of an approximately eight-kilometre section of track on the freight rail line between Kwinana and Cockburn near Beeliar Drive, including removing the existing rail level crossings, as well as duplication of a short section of single track in Kewdale.
- A North Lake Road Grade Separation replacing the existing North Lake Road rail level crossing in South Lake with a new bridge.
Planned activities will include developing a project reference design, geotechnical and environmental site investigations, and progressing regulatory approvals to enable construction to proceed once funding is allocated. Community consultation will start later this year to help shape the future design.
The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments have committed $67 million to progress planning and development activities for the upgrade of roads, freight duplication and level crossing removals that will facilitate the Westport program.
Key elements of the project include:
- A new port in Kwinana between the end of Barter Road and the end of Mason Road.
- A new freight corridor along Anketell Road and Thomas Road.
- Road upgrades along Anketell Road, Kwinana Freeway, and Roe Highway. Ultimately, the Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor will connect the port with Tonkin Highway in Byford.
- Upgrades to the existing freight rail network between Kwinana and Cockburn, connecting the port with a logistic hub in Kenwick, Kewdale, and Forrestfield.
- A new shipping channel to accommodate larger ships expected in the future.
- In November 2024, the WA State Government announced a $273 million investment to progress Westport to project definition planning.
- Westport is focused only on moving container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana.
