Extensive road upgrades in Port Hedland are set to support the region’s burgeoning renewables industry, and the transport required to get a host of wind turbine and battery metals into the area.
Ground has been broken on the Lumsden Point Access Road and Pinga Street Intersection upgrades to support the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub.
A new grade-separated rotary interchange will also be constructed to complement the Lumsden Point development.
Two single-span, 15-metre-long structures with four lanes over a round underpass will connect Pinga Street to the new Lumsden Point Access Road, while new ramps will allow access on and off the Great Northern Highway.
The Australian and WA governments finalised a 50:50 $140 million agreement to build a hydrogen hub in the Pilbara to help build infrastructure to support hydrogen exports and fund activities for a Clean Energy Training and Research Institute.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine Kings say these upgrades will help connect Australia and Australian businesses to growing international renewables markets.
“The Albanese government is pleased to be partnering with the Cook Labor government to fund these upgrades, which will better facilitate large, imported materials being moved from Lumsden Point and improve traffic access to the area,” King says.
“This is another example of the Australian and WA government funding partnership which invests in good infrastructure that opens opportunities for businesses and communities.”
Key to the upgrades in the region is the improvement of the Lumsden Point Port development, which includes new shipping berths and a substantial lay-down area for imported equipment.
Pilbara Ports shifted over 758 million tonnes of export through its ports in the 2023-24 financial year, which was valued over an estimated $170 billion.
It was the fifth consecutive record-breaking year for Pilbara Ports.
Lumsden Point provides an alternative import facility to Fremantle, which will help reduce transport emissions.
West Australian Ports Minister David Michael says the Lumsden Point Port facilities will help facilitate a renewable energy shift in the region.
“New port facilities at Lumsden Point will provide regional import capability to support the renewable energy industry,” Michael says.
“New shipping berths and a lay-down area will grow the capacity of the Port of Port Hedland, while this latest groundbreaking step is the next step for the region’s evolution.”
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