Kwinana’s Indian Ocean |Gateway proposal.
Camera IconKwinana’s Indian Ocean |Gateway proposal. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Outer harbour plan attacked

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

Affected councils, including the City of Cockburn, claim they did not see the document before its release, yet the Kwinana Industries Council board gave its support with one abstention.

The KIC board includes key member representatives, including Fremantle Ports.

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said the proposal was developed from a July workshop that focussed on the Kwinana Industrial Area.

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She said it was apparent the key issue for the KIA and the state was the need to construct the outer harbour as soon as possible.

"It's really a win-win situation for investors and the WA economy," she said.

"Naturally a shift of focus to include the outer harbour raises questions as to the relevance of the Perth Freight Link and we encourage all feedback and discussion on the issue."

The timing of the document appears to be influenced by state preparations to advertise the sale of the Fremantle Port and a Liberal Party breakfast Community Newspaper Group understands copies of the proposal were taken to.

The cities of Cockburn and Rockingham expressed concern because the IOG site affects their land.

City of Cockburn chief executive Stephen Cain said the City would bring the proposal to a future council meeting, but it was consulting first with the City of Rockingham.

Questions directed to Premier Colin Barnett about the viability of the plan, which proposes a condition on the tender for sale of Fremantle Port to build the $3.2 billion Outer Harbour within 10 years, were redirected to Treasurer Mike Nahan and Transport Minister Dean Nalder.

Mr Nahan said a due diligence process was being followed regarding Fremantle Port and a report was expected to be presented to the Government in December.

Mr Nalder said the Fremantle's Inner Harbour was expected to operate as a working port into the long term and acknowledged the outer harbour would be needed in Kwinana once Fremantle reached capacity.

Opposition ports spokesman Bill Johnston said the source of funding proposed by Kwinana's document was "unrealistic" because the condition was a disincentive for sale.