Fremantle ponders expansion options

These are 1) an island design about 1 km offshore and linked by an open spanned bridge to an extension of Rowley Road, north of the Alcoa refinery; and 2) a partially land-backed facility located just south of Alcoa that would include reclamation of the foreshore and an island component with a freight link via Anketell Road.

Both options are smaller than those previously proposed, with a final annual capacity of 1.4m containers, compared with 2.1m. Each is estimated to cost A$1.3bn, including new road and rail links.

According to State Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan, additional berths will be needed to handle the overflow container trade when Fremantle’s Inner Harbour reached optimal capacity. “This is a project of immense economic importance to Western Australia, ensuring that our trade needs continue to be met,” she said.