Oakajee Port

Oakajee Port was a proposed deep water port to be built in the Mid West region of Western Australia, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of the city of Geraldton, to service the region's growing iron ore industry. Approval by the Government of Western Australia for the construction and operation of the port and rail facility was announced on 29 July 2008;[1] Oakajee Port & Rail Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Murchison Metals Ltd and Mitsubishi Corporation, were to be the developers.[2]

Delays

Including an associated rail project, the project was estimated to cost about A$4 billion. The port was to have an initial capacity of 45 million tonnes of iron ore annually. Construction was expected to start in 2011, with completion possible by 2014.[1]

In 2012, media speculation about cancellation of the project increased with announcements of delays and cutbacks.[3][4] However, the premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett, stated his desire to facilitate conciliation between the parties.[5]

In June 2013, Mitsubishi announced that work was to be suspended work until an investment partner could be found.[6] As of November 2014 the project was mothballed.[7]

Location

The port and facilities were to be constructed within approximately 6,400 hectares (16,000 acres) of land owned by the state government. The property had been used as farmland but 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) was zoned for heavy industrial and 200 hectares (490 acres) zoned for support industries.[8] It is bordered approximately by the Buller River to the south, Coronation Beach Road to the north, and the Moresby Ranges to the east.

History

Between 1879 and 1957, Oakagee was a siding and locality on the Northampton railway line.[9] The site was first considered as a port and railway terminus in the 1980s.[8]

Opposition to the project from local residents centred on environmental concerns, especially in relation to nearby Coronation Beach.

Advocacy for the project was from a partnership known as Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance, which included miners Mount Gibson Iron, Midwest Corporation (ASX:MIS), Murchison Metals Ltd (ASX:MMX), Gindalbie Metals (ASX:GBG), Golden West Resources, Royal Resources Ltd, Asia Iron Holdings Ltd, and Atlas Iron Ltd.[10]

An alternative project considered by the government was to deepen and enlarge the existing Geraldton Port. However, environmental factors associated with the proposal being relatively close to Geraldton militated against it.

Railway

The port was intended to be served by a dual gauge railway line providing for both narrow gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) and standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in).

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See also

References
  1. "Oakajee Port and Rail to build new Mid-West iron ore port". Government Media Office. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  2. Jesse Riseborough (30 July 2008). "Oakajee Iron Ore Port, Rail Cost May Rise 17% to A$3.5 Billion". Bloomberg. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-08/opr-more-difficult-to-get-up/4301946
  4. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-08/oakajee-port-and-rail-project-on-hold/4361300
  5. http://www.skynews.com.au/businessnews/article.aspx?id=814425
  6. http://www.dsd.wa.gov.au/8080.aspx
  7. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-27/tradional-owners-reach-agreement-on-mid-west-mine/5919636
  8. "Oakajee Deep Water Port, Industrial Estate and Murchison Rail Link". Mid West Development Commission. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  9. "Military Camp at Oakagee". Geraldton Guardian (WA : 1906 - 1928). WA: National Library of Australia. 26 October 1906. p. 3. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  10. "About us". Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance. Retrieved 30 July 2008.

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