WA's Regional Ports Governance Reform
Alison Coates
Executive Director, Major Transport Projects
WA's Regional Ports Governance Reform
Presentation outline
• Overview of WA ports
• Strategies to improve efficiency of WA’s existing port
infrastructure
o WA Ports Amalgamation
• Other WA transport initiatives
o WA Regional Freight Transport Network Plan
o PortLink
WA ports comprise:
Overview of WA ports
• 13 commercial ports
governed by the
Department of Transport
under the Shipping and
Pilotage Act 1967
• Eight port authorities
established under the Port
Authorities Act 1999
Complexity
• Shipping & Pilotage Act 1997
• Marine & Harbours Act 1981
• Jetties Act 1926
• Marine Navigation Aids Act 1973
• Land Administration Act 1997
• Mining Act 1978
• State Agreements x 80(ish)
Overview
• Port Authorities Act 1999
WA Ports Governance Review
• Review commissioned by DoT in 2010.
• Terms of Reference:
o Examine roles & responsibilities between Government
& port authorities
o Examine governance & ownership over non-port
authority ports
o Make recommendations for structural & legislative
changes
o Provide guidance on port planning, funding &
investment
• Undertake phased program of consolidation of WA port
authorities.
Key recommendations
• Bring non-port authority ports under control of an
appropriate regional port authority.
• Where ports are amalgamated:
o Ensure responsibility for day-to-day port operations
remain at individual port level
o Ensure continued input from local communities at
each constituent port
Other key recommendations
• Remove customer representation on port authority
Boards
• Ministerial discretion to increase Board size from
maximum 5 to maximum 7 members
• Review port funding & pricing
• Reconfirm commercial focus of ports – Role of Ports.
• Develop a State Port Policy & align port planning with
broader land planning & National Port Strategy
Governance
Steering Committee was appointed to guide and oversee
the amalgamation. Supported by Working groups:
o for each new proposed regional port authority
(Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West and Southern); and
o Technical Support, including Legal and Legislation Sub
Group.
Updates on the implementation are available on DoT’s
webpage
Kimberley Ports Authority
Amalgamation
Pilbara Ports Authority
Mid West Ports Authority
Southern Ports Authority
Fremantle Port Authority to
remain stand alone
Ports amalgamation strategy
• Activities have been defined in two phases:
o Phase 1 – create new regional port authorities
by renaming some port authorities & merging
others.
o Phase 2 – transfer non-port authority ports to
new port authorities.
Phase 1
• ATO rulings at whole of reform level
• ACCC clearance
• Port Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 in Parliament
• Chairs-elect identified
• Transition arrangements between authorities clearly
articulated
• Assessment of synergies and potential economies of
scale well advanced
Phase 2 objectives
• Transfer non-port authority ports & port facilities
• Assess transfer of State Agreement customers as required
• Agree funding arrangements at transfer & into the future
• Resolve issues of tenure
• Reduction in the number of boards and a focus on
regional development
• Improved port efficiency, optimised use of port
infrastructure and enhanced corporate governance
• Improved investment decision making for new or
expanded infrastructure
• Enhanced corporate governance and management
(strategic, risk, HR, skills management, navigational and
marine safety)
Benefits
• Reduced expenditure through economies of scale and
reduced duplicate of effort
• Better able to encourage private sector investment
& service provision
• Strengthen the involvement
of WA port authorities in the
planning of future regional
transport corridors and
port facilities.
Benefits
• Commercial focus
o focus on commercial effectiveness – market driven,
cost conscious, responsive and flexible in meeting the
needs of port customers
• Safety, security and environmental responsibilities
o manage in a safe, secure and environmentally
responsible manner
o an environment of enhanced understanding and
improved cooperation
Role of Ports
• Facilitation of trade
o in a commercial and efficient manner
o pursue opportunities for private sector investment in
port infrastructure and deliver port services
o fair and equitable access to port services and facilities
o plan and provide for existing and future trade growth
o manage ports supply chain and relate to performance
of the inland transport and logistics system
Role of Ports
• A long-term plan providing
strategic direction and
priorities for WA road, rail and
port infrastructure.
• Looks at ways of managing
WA’s freight task into the
future.
WA Regional Freight Transport Network Plan
• By 2030, trade through WA
ports is expected to be over
1 billion tonnes per annum.
• Initiatives such the WA ports
amalgamation & PortLink will
be key to managing WA’s
future freight task.
WA Regional Freight Transport Network Plan
Partnership program:
• $5million Royalties for
Regions
• $2million C’wealth Govt
Nation Building 1
Objectives:
• create a stronger, more
robust freight network.
• open up the Goldfields-
Esperance, Pilbara & Mid-
West
PortLink project
PortLink project
A series of planning studies
assessing feasibility of:
• Intermodal Freight Terminal in
Kalgoorlie
• new road and rail alignments
around Kalgoorlie-Boulder
• the development of new road
and railway corridors from
resource rich areas to export
ports.
Questions?
Further Information
Contact Details:
Alison Coates, Executive Director Major Transport Projects
Department of Transport website:
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/projects/25829.asp
