NELSON POINT TUG HAVEN AND LUMSDEN POINT —
PORT HEDLAND
686. Ms L. DALTON to the Minister for Ports:
I refer to the McGowan
Labor government's strong investment in job creation and driving
economic projects across regional Western Australia. Can the minister
update the house on the projects currently underway in Port Hedland to support
trade in the Pilbara, including Nelson Point Tug Haven and Lumsden Point, and
can the minister outline how this government's investment in the
regions will deliver greater economic prosperity and more jobs for Western Australians
into the future?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI
replied:
I thank the member for Geraldton for her question.
As part of the economic recovery from COVID-19, we are seeing
projects being rolled out across the state. We have a booming economy in Western
Australia, and, across regional WA, record regional investment from this
government, including throughout the Pilbara and Port Hedland. I often talk
about our roads, but, of course, our port expansions and new facilities will
facilitate more trade, investment and jobs into the future. Last week, we
awarded a $29 million contract to Austral Construction for the design and
construction of a new revetment wall for the Nelson Point Tug Haven. Those
works will continue to facilitate further expansions at the port and further
trade. Importantly, millions of dollars of work will be going to a local
Pilbara-based company.
Yesterday, another key asset of the Pilbara and Western Australian
economies became operational with the first cargo vessel's arrival at
Lumsden Point. Thanks to FMG and the Pilbara Ports Authority working together,
this is a multi-user facility and logistics hub that will continue to support
cargo imports into the port and direct shipping services to facilitate further
trade. Other works include a record amount of roadworks and the Spoilbank
Marina. The member for Pilbara is not here, but the Spoilbank Marina is
progressing very well. Those who have been up there
will see the significant work that is happening there. This is part of our
strategy of protecting the WA economy by
protecting Western Australians' health. We are making sure that we
emerge from this COVID pandemic stronger than ever before. Everything we
are doing is all about making sure that we protect Western Australians'
health and protect our economy.
I am sorry, members, but
look at that sad bunch on the other side. I do not know who writes the
questions for those five—maybe it is the anti-vaxxers out there—but
they are pathetic. They look at their phones, never actually engage in the
debate and they asked questions on climate change, which I thought were Dorothy
Dixers! We will continue our program of protecting the health of Western Australians
and the health of the economy to make sure that we emerge stronger and better
than ever. Wherever we look in Western Australia, we can see throughout the
economy booming demand, booming exports and jobs being created for all Western Australians.