The second stage of the Exmouth Boat Harbour upgrade in WA has been officially opened, transforming the harbour into a modern maritime hub.
The most recent upgrade works included an 88m extension to the wharf, with a 40m heavy lift zone, heavy vehicle parking area, new cyclone moorings, four new trawler pens and raising of the southern breakwater by two metres.
Construction of a new fuel farm, fire fighting infrastructure, upgraded road access, and a CCTV system will allow the facility to better cater to marine and offshore industries.
The completion of the upgrade also spurred private investment in the harbour with tenant Base Marine investing $4.6 million for a boat repair facility, including a 320 tonne capacity boat lifter, offering repair and maintenance capability for the regional fleet.
Exmouth is geographically well placed to become an increasingly important hub for the maritime industry in the north of Western Australia, with the upgrades enabling the facility to service the offshore industry in years to come.
The latest upgrades complement those completed in stage one, which involved the demolition of the dilapidated Jetty A and the construction of Jetty B, providing 39 additional cyclone-rated commercial and recreational boat pens.
WA Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti, said the major upgrades will give users increased capacity and amenities, bringing the facility into an exciting new era.
“It will give Exmouth Boat Harbour the capability to service vessels locally which would ordinarily have gone to places like Singapore,” Ms Saffioti said.
“It is a great example of the private sector and State Government working together to provide mutually beneficial outcomes for the community and industry.”
