The Kwinana Industries Council has welcomed bipartisan support for the Westport project.

Westport at Kwinana is envisaged to replace Fremantle as the State’s primary container port.

The new $7 billion-plus harbour in Cockburn Sound is scheduled for completion in the late 2030s.

The State Opposition recently questioned when Westport would be operational.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said at a Leadership Matters breakfast on June 8 he believed the State would be relying on Westport in the future.

“The work needs to be done clearly, and Westport, I think, is an infrastructure project and facility that our State is going to need, but the work needs to be done now by those in government,” he said.

“It’s difficult to understand the full ins and outs of it without what the Government has at its disposal.”

KIC chief executive David Harrison said the comments gave much-needed certainty for industry and reinforced the critical importance of the project to WA’s long-term economic future.

“Westport is essential to the future of trade, logistics and supply chain efficiency in this State,” he said.

“The western trade coast is a nationally significant industrial precinct, and ensuring it is supported by modern, efficient port infrastructure is vital to boosting productivity, supporting growth and attracting future investment.”

The council said it plans to work constructively with both sides of politics, government agencies and key stakeholders to ensure Westport progresses in a timely and co-ordinated manner.

Last month, the State and Federal governments announced a $1.1b investment into the “crucial” road connections to the proposed future Westport container terminal.

The Federal Government’s investment of $552 million will be matched by the State Government.

Funding will deliver the first stage of upgrades to Anketell Road, including expanding the road to four lanes between Leath Road and Abercrombie Road and a grade separation at Rockingham Road.

Anketell Road is expected to become a heavy-vehicle route of choice linking Leath Road and the Kwinana Freeway.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new container port at Kwinana was a vital piece of economic infrastructure, both for WA and for the whole country.