PILBARA

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INTERVIEWS | Pilbara Ports Authority
AUGUST 2014 | Resource Global Network
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Recognised worldwide for its
massive reserves of iron ore
and other minerals, the Pilbara
region in northwest Western
Australia is the mining capital
of the state and probably the
country. The income from its
mining exports contributes
significantly to the state’s
economy and helped keep
Australia afloat during the global
financial crisis. In facilitating
this trade, the Pilbara’s bustling
ports are crucial to the country’s
success.
would see four new regional port authorities
established, of which Pilbara Ports Authority
is one.”
Formation
The three other new port authorities are
Kimberley, initially comprising the port of
Broome; Mid-West, the port of Geraldton;
and Southern, the ports of Bunbury, Albany
and Esperance.
The prominence of Port Hedland as the
world’s largest bulk export tonnage port,
in particular, makes PPA the largest and
most nationally significant of all the new
authorities.
On 1 July 2014 the authorities for the Pilbara’s
two main ports – Port Hedland and Dampier
Nevertheless, where several issues prevented
– combined into the one Pilbara Ports
the amalgamation of the southern ports
Authority (PPA). This new organisation initially
and delayed the creation of the Southern
PHOTO : HUGH BROWN
manages the Port of Port Hedland on the
Ports Authority, the formation of PPA was
that will shift the responsibility and control
• Optimise the use of port infrastructure;
northern coast and the Ports of Dampier and
completed without a hitch in time for the 1
of Shipping and Pilotage ports from the
• Improve investment decisions (such
Ashburton to the south, but in time will also
July deadline.
Department of Transport to the relevant port
as a coordinated approach toward
manage the proposed ports of Anketell and
authority.
infrastructure funding and attracting
Cape Preston East in between the three.
“Fortunately, it has been a smooth and
private sector investment);
positive transition in the lead-up and
“PPA will at that time include the proposed
• Enhance corporate governance via
The amalgamation was a major undertaking –
commencement of PPA,” says Roger. “This
port at Anketell and the SPA ports at Port
strategic, operational and financial
one that was in the works as far back as 2012,
is largely due to the hard work, diligence
Walcott, Cape Preston (East and West), Balla
planning, risk management, human
explains PPA CEO Roger Johnston, when set
and professionalism of staff based in Perth,
Balla, Varanus Island, Barrow Island, Airlie
resource and skills management,
in motion by government reforms.
Port Hedland and Dampier working together
Island, Thevenard Island and Onslow,” he
stakeholder management, safety
before and after the 1 July commencement
explains.
management and environmental
“In 2012, the Western Australian Government
announced a number of reforms to improve
date.”PPA may be up and running but it
stands to endure a few more changes under
Objectives
management;
• Reduce expenditure through efficiency
port governance, including the establishment
the state government’s reforms.
The Western Australian Government had
gains and reduced duplication of effort;
of four regional port authorities,” he explains.
many reasons for amalgamating the ports.
• Improve commercial practices and skills,
Roger says that a further tranche of
The state’s Minister for Transport – formerly
acumen and capability;
“In 2013, the Ports Legislation Amendment
amending legislation is planned to be
Troy Buswell, now Dean Nalder – set out the
• Ensure consistency of port views on
Bill was introduced to Parliament. The bill
introduced to the state parliament in 2015
objectives as thus:
regional issues; and