The Cook Government has allocated AUD 204 million ($132.8 million) in the 2025–26 State Budget to upgrade port infrastructure across Western Australia.
The Port of Fremantle is a key focus, with AUD 88 million ($57.2 million) committed to strengthening ageing wharves in the Inner Harbour.
Originally constructed as early as the 1920s, the wharves require reinforcement to accommodate modern vessels and increased cargo loads as the port prepares for an eventual transition to Kwinana.
An additional AUD 20.3 million ($13.2 million) will fund a new tugboat facility at J-Berth on Victoria Quay, providing essential support services for harbour operations.
These investments form part of a broader strategy to future-proof Western Australia’s major and regional ports and maintain their critical role in the State’s economy.
Premier Roger Cook said: “By investing in new and existing port infrastructure, my government is securing our State’s trading future.”
Ports Minister, Stephen Dawson, stated: “The trade that occurs in our ports is integral not just to our State’s economy, but for our national economy.
“Our ports handle more than half of Australia’s sea trade volume and facilitate more than AUD 280 billion ($182 billion) worth of trade each year. Through our Budget, the Cook Government is working to further bolster our port infrastructure, especially as trade grows and new demands emerge.”
In September of last year, a report from Ports Australia highlighted the crucial economic role ports play in New South Wales and the entire nation. According to the ‘State of Trade’ report, Australian ports facilitate the movement of goods and commodities valued at AUD 650 billion ($423 billion) annually, underscoring their importance to the country’s economy.