- Highway Construction Pty Ltd awarded contract to deliver new
Oakajee access road
- Marks significant development milestone for the Oakajee
Strategic Industrial Area
- Oakajee SIA expected to transition from greenfield site into
a globally competitive clean energy industries precinct
The Cook Labor Government
has reached a major milestone towards developing a job-creating clean energy
hub at Oakajee, with the contract awarded to deliver the new precinct access
road.
The access road - a 2021
WA Labor election commitment - is an important step towards unlocking the
Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area and positioning Western Australia as a global
renewable energy powerhouse.
The $20 million road
contract has been awarded to Highway Construction Pty Ltd, with works to start
in coming months.
The project includes a
new intersection at North West Coastal Highway, construction of the first stage
of the access road, and around four kilometres of highway widening in the area,
with new acceleration and deceleration lanes to be built.
The upgrades will support
heavy freight movements in and out of the industrial area, and are due for
completion later next year.
The Oakajee SIA is located
around 20km north of Geraldton and is recognised for its world-class wind and
solar potential, making it ideal for clean energy industries.
The Cook Government has
prioritised developing WA's SIAs to create jobs and diversify the State's
economy.
As part of the 2024-25
State Budget, the Cook Government announced the $500 million Strategic
Industries Fund, which will fund common-user and other enabling infrastructure
at the State's 13 SIAs.
The Cook Government has
also put in place a $160 million industrial lease incentive scheme to attract
clean energy projects to SIAs.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Under my Government,
Oakajee is on the path to becoming one of the State's major clean energy jobs
precincts.
"Through the new access
road, the $500 million Strategic Industries Fund and our lease incentive
scheme, we're turning the Oakajee dream into a reality.
"Developing Oakajee will
create thousands of long-term jobs for Geraldton, diversify the Mid West
economy and help WA to become a global renewable energy powerhouse."
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This is an important
first step for our future Oakajee SIA, and importantly, will provide a safer
road environment for the heavy freight vehicles that will operate in the area.
"Oakajee is one of 13
SIAs attracting important investment into Western Australia to grow emerging
industries.
"Of course, these SIAs
not only provide massive economic opportunity right across the State, but will
also create more long-term jobs for Western Australians."
Comments attributed to
Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"This is an important
milestone in the Cook Labor Government's plan to develop Oakajee into a clean
energy hub for our region.
"Unlocking Oakajee means
thousands of jobs and a strong economy for Geraldton long into the future.
"The steps we are taking
now, and the investments our Government is making, will set Geraldton up for
long-term success."
