WA PortLink project enters public consultation phase

WA Transport Minister Troy Buswell has urged Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents to have their say on the PortLink project. He is encouraging them to attend an information day on the planning options for the project this Saturday, October 19.

The PortLink concept ultimately links the towns of Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Esperance and Geraldton, and has the potential, Buswell says, to build a stronger and more flexible transport network.

The project will include a heavy vehicle bypass road, a freight rail bypass around the town centre and a potential intermodal terminal in Kalgoorlie.

“These projects have the potential to significantly reduce the number of heavy freight vehicles on local roads as well as reduce rail traffic through Kalgoorlie’s city centre,” Buswell said.

“This will result in improved road and rail safety and provide better amenity for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community.

“There are three options for each of the road, rail and intermodal terminal projects and I encourage locals to have a say in what would work best for their community.”

The Department of Transport will host the information session at Markets Arcade, Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie, from 10am-3pm.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said PortLink could open up Western Australia’s resource-rich regions to better economic development opportunities.

“One of the objectives of the PortLink project is to test the feasibility of a regional alternative to Perth as a major distribution point for interstate freight,” he said.

Planning studies for Phase 1 of PortLink are being funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program ($5 million) and the Commonwealth Nation Building program ($2 million).

The public consultation period runs until November 1.

Information and community comment forms are available at: https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/PortLink