Prime Minister John Howard today committed $80 million from the Federation
Fund to the Jervoise Bay Infrastructure Development project - an initiative
which will provide a major boost for the economy and thousands of
jobs for Western Australia.
In a joint announcement with Premier Richard Court, Mr Howard said
the Jervoise Bay development, which was the most advanced maritime
infrastructure project undertaken in WA, could be a fitting symbol
of 100 years of Federation.
"In partnership, the Commonwealth and WA Governments are working
together to generate jobs and provide a valuable piece of infrastructure
which will make a significant and ongoing contribution to Australia
and the national economy," Mr Howard said.
The Jervoise Bay Infrastructure Development is a Federation Fund project.
The Fund is an initiative of the Commonwealth Government - its gift
to the nation to mark the Centenary of Federation in 2001. By financing
major projects of national significance, the fund is building the
infrastructure Australia needs for the coming century.
Mr Court said Jervoise Bay, 13 km south of Fremantle at the northern
end of Cockburn Sound, would be developed as a world-class, maritime
industrial complex.
"The total cost of the project will be in the vicinity of $200
million with Commonwealth, State and private sector investment,"
he said.
The redevelopment will provide protected sites with direct waterfront
access, a heavy capacity wet berth and load out wharf, large manufacturing
areas immediately adjacent to the waterfront and access to navigable
deep water.
"The project will be of enormous significance to the WA economy
and the nation," the Premier said.
It is anticipated that the redeveloped facilities at Jervoise Bay
will accommodate new construction projects valued at $100 million
annually and additional work generated by support, repair and maintenance
activities in the region of $160 million per year.
There will be more than 1,600 direct site employees and over 3000
additional indirect jobs. This is in addition to the 400 jobs generated
during the construction phase.
The development will be a major factor in boosting local content and
involvement in big resource projects.
Mr Court said State Government funding, combined with the Commonwealth's
Federation Fund contribution, would enable the provision of infrastructure
on a scale large enough to take advantage of the strong economic opportunities
presented by the expansion of the oil and gas industry, and the resource
and downstream processing sectors of the WA economy.
"Jervoise Bay offers an excellent site for ship building, repair
and maintenance for fabrication and ocean-based transport within WA
and to interstate and international destinations," the Premier
said.
The project will involve the construction of two breakwaters, dredging
and land reclamation. Cockburn Road is to be realigned to the east
of the Jervoise Bay industrial area to facilitate direct, heavy load
access to waterfront facilities and separate through traffic from
local industrial traffic.
To build on the already highly skilled workforce in the marine and
shipbuilding industry, it is also proposed that the precinct accommodate
a Marine Industry Technology Park which will be progressively developed
on a freehold basis for specific high technology research and development
and manufacturing activities.
Considerable public consultation has already been undertaken as part
of the process of developing the Jervoise Bay master plan and the
State Government is committed to ensuring that all environmental issues
have been addressed before proceeding.
The master plan is currently the subject of a Public Environmental
Review which closes on February 9.
Commonwealth funding is conditional on obtaining the necessary environmental
clearances and the Federal Government will work constructively with
the State Government with a view to integrating Commonwealth advice,
avoiding duplication and arriving at a satisfactory outcome on environmental
heritage issues.