PILBARA

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INTERVIEWS | Pilbara Ports Authority
AUGUST 2014 | Resource Global Network
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• Improve marine safety and harbour
port authorities to operate 24 hours per
oversight of all shipping across the Pilbara
the role the port’s output grew from 200
master functions at ports that were
day as long as they weren’t breaching noise
region, and from being the single point of
million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to more
established under the Shipping and
level and other conditions outlined in the
contact for enquiries related to any or all of
than 370mtpa, while its profit grew from
Pilotage Act 1967.
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
its ports. The amalgamation has “enhanced
AU$4.6 million in financial year 2011 to
In addition to enhancing the ports’ efficiency
and financial management, the reform bill
seeks to bring the ports’ management closer
to the public and their scrutiny.
It decreed the removal of commercial
Consequences
As CEO of the newly formed PPA, Roger has
observed several benefits for the ports’ employees,
as well as the ports’ corporate users.“The
amalgamation offers opportunities
for staff and proponents alike,” he remarks.
corporate governance,” he says, and allowed
processes such as development applications
to be streamlined.
The bringing together of such prominent
industry hubs could also benefit the
associated port towns and their residents,
approximately $158 million in financial year
2014.
He is looking forward to overseeing
continuing growth at Port Hedland, as well as
at the new ports added to his remit.
representation from the authorities’
“For staff it offers enhanced career path
Roger explains. PPA’s incorporation of “the
“With import and export tonnages set to
boards, alongside the establishment of port
opportunities as part of a larger organisation.
largest bulk export tonnage port in the
continue to grow in both Dampier and Port
community consultation committees through
For proponents, it offers the benefits of
world, as well as world-class oil and gas
Hedland, PPA has identified a number of
which information on port operations could
engaging with a single entity or point of
export operations from across the Pilbara
development opportunities to enhance the
be shared with the public.
contact when exploring or realising business
region,” will lend it “increased national and
capacity to cater for existing and future port
opportunities.”
international significance,” he says, that will
users’ needs,” says Roger. It’s a substantial
In the interest of business, meanwhile, a
“shine a spotlight” on the region’s towns.
list.
standard provision was introduced to allow
Roger adds that PPA benefits from having an
PHOTO : HUGH BROWN
“Communities can expect to benefit from
a more responsive approach to managing
Plans at Port Hedland
At Port Hedland there is a drive to expand
port facilities,” he adds; an important
both public and private capacity, as well as to
point in an age where civilians often hold
build new administrative facilities to manage
strong opinions concerning commercial
this increased activity.
developments.
Strong foundations
PPA recently received environmental
approval to build two general cargo berths
Roger himself has lived in Australia for
at Lumsden Point, as well as an access road
16 years, over which time he has assisted
linking to the new Great Northern Highway.
in the construction of Fisherman Island’s
The authority has also planned the footprint
grain export terminal; helped manage the
and location for the development of a Multi-
coal supply chain in the Hunter Valley; and
User Outer Harbour (MUOH) facility to be
worked in Western Australia’s construction
located to the west of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s
materials business.
proposed outer harbour development.
Prior to becoming CEO of PPA, Roger was
“The MUOH will allow proponents to build
CEO of the Port Hedland Port Authority.
facilities in order to export product, with a
Within the two and a half years he held
range of commodities in both liquids and