Ports & Transport

Our transport feature analyses road, rail and port projects underway and other projects on hold as the state seeks to tackle the mounting congestion challenges facing commuters and industry.

The state government is hoping its significant infrastructure spend will arrest the slowdown in business investment as the resources boom wanes.

The private sector is developing light rail projects on the Gold Coast and in Sydney, and there is no shortage of investors, builders and operators able to do the same in Perth.

The Perth Freight Link road project could extend the capacity of Fremantle harbour and lead to a rethink on long-term planning for a second container port at Kwinana.

A decision on the future of the state's Tier 3 lines could be made as early as June, with grain handling cooperative CBH Group and network operator Brookfield Rail currently in arbitration through the Economic Regulation Authority.

Price and production uncertainty over a range of commodities is flowing through to port investments, with enthusiasm for development taking a back seat to pragmatism.

Toll Group is anticipating a sizeable increase in the volume of freight it handles at Fremantle, after commencing operations at a $26 million container handling facility it is developing at Rous He