Premier Colin Barnett has unveiled plans for a new deepwater port in the Pilbara that would be operating by 2015.
The port and industrial precinct will be at Anketell, 30km east of Karratha and 10km from Cape Lambert.
Mr Barnett, who announced the port at a Committee for the Economic Development of Australia lunch today, said the Government would spend $3.5 million during the next three years to plan and prepare an agreement on development of the area.
"Anketell was first identified during the 1970s as a potential iron ore port," Mr Barnett said.
"The port will be serviced by existing towns, especially nearby Karratha, providing further business and development opportunities for Pilbara communities."
The precinct, which would ultimately include a port with more than 350 million tonnes annual (Mtpa) export capacity, an industrial area of more than 1,400ha and a corridor for transport and services, would be developed to accommodate a range of users and different mineral commodities.
It would have a cap placed on it in future to ensure the viability of existing ports.
Mr Barnett said it would be built by a private proponent under an agreement with the State Government.
He said API Management, Fortescue Metals Group and China Metallurgical Group Corporation, which all have involvement in iron ore operations in the area, were potential foundation investors in the new precinct.
"The Government will work with these companies, or an infrastructure provider to develop the project, with plans to commence operations by 2015," Mr Barnett said.
"The Anketell port and industrial precinct will provide opportunities for new exports and processing of iron ore and other minerals."
Dampier Port Authority would manage the new port and infrastructure corridors and LandCorp would develop the industrial precinct.
