The establishment of a Southern Ports Authority has been postponed after the state government confirmed that three new regional port authorities will commence operations from July 1.
The announcement followed an independent review, commissioned by Transport Minister Dean Nalder, into the new authorities’ readiness to commence operations, after delays to the passage through state parliament of the relevant legislation.
The legislation was expected to be enacted in December 2013, providing for a six-month transition period for the consolidation of seven of Western Australia’s eight port authorities into four new overarching regional ports authorities – Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West and Southern.
Mr Nalder said the review, conducted by an independent panel and facilitated by the Department of Finance, had provided the government with certainty that the late passage of the Act would not impede the amalgamation process.
“However, the review team did find that given the differences in operating models across the ports of Bunbury, Albany and Esperance, the planned changes to the operating strategies of these ports merging to become the Southern Ports Authority is more complicated,” he said.
“The review team has recommended a short delay in the establishment of the Southern Ports Authority, which will become operational in the near future.”
Mr Nalder said the existing port authorities of Broome, Port Hedland, Dampier and Geraldton would cease to exist from July 1 and be replaced by their respective regional ports authority.
The Fremantle port authority is unaffected by the changes.