Ports Governance Review
Background
The Government commissioned a review of Western Australian ports governance in 2010.
The review:
- Made recommendations on the respective roles and responsibilities of State Government agencies and port authorities;
- Recommended structural and legislative changes to improve the effectiveness of ports; and
- Provided guidance in relation to current process for port planning and investment.
The recommendations of this review are reflected in the State's vision for ports and revision of the role of ports in Western Australia to reflect current priorities, roles and responsibilities for port authorities, stakeholders and customers.
| Ports Governance Review: A Vision for Western Australia's ports | Kb |
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| Ports Governance Review: The role of ports in Western Australia | Kb |
One key recommendation of the review was to consolidate the State's (then) seven regional port authorities into four regional port authorities, with Fremantle remaining as a stand-alone port authority. This was achieved in 2014 following the passage of the Ports Legislation Amendment Act 2014.
Another key recommendation of the review was to transfer trading ports regulated under the Shipping & Pilotage Act 1967 to the Port Authorities Act 1999. This will transfer the oversight of affected ports from the Department of Transport to regional port authorities.
As a result, all trading ports in WA will operate under the same legislation for the first time in more than 100 years.
This second tranche of port governance reform will be facilitated by the Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, which was tabled in Parliament on 29 November 2017 and is expected to be debated in 2018. Please see the link below for a copy of the Bill and explanatory notes.
| Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 | |
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Tranche 2 Legislation
The Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 is designed to enable the progressive implementation of Tranche 2 port governance reforms which, once fully implemented, will result in:
- The Kimberley Ports Authority overseeing the ports of Broome, Derby, Wyndham and Yampi Sound;
- The Pilbara Ports Authority overseeing the ports of Dampier, Port Hedland, Anketell, Cape Preston, Ashburton, Port Walcott, Varanus Island, Barrow Island and Onslow; and
- The Mid West Ports Authority overseeing the ports of Geraldton, Cape Cuvier and Useless Loop.
The legislation will enable progressive port transfers. It will not result in the automatic transfer of any port. Rather, proclamations of relevant sections of the Act, together with transitional orders, will need to be made before individual port transfers. Port operators will be consulted during the implementation process (see Implementation below).
The changes will result in a better overall structure for the oversight and governance of WA's ports and provide a sharper focus on the way ports operate, in order to manage risks associated with the operation of ports, commercial shipping and other vessel movements.
Once implemented, all trading ports in Western Australia will operate under the same legislation for first time in over 100 years.
| Port Governance Reform: Tranche 2 (Fact sheet) | Kb |
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Implementation
The second tranche of port governance reform can only proceed if the enabling legislation is passed by Parliament.
The Department of Transport, Department of State Development and regional port authorities have already been in contact with affected port operators regarding the planned transition.
This engagement will continue if and when the legislation is passed. Affected port operators will be consulted on implementation details, including the transitional orders and transfer timing for each port.
Project Governance
Implementation of the Ports Governance Review is overseen by a Steering Committee, which is supported by a number of working groups.
The Steering Committee comprises senior representatives from the following organisations:
- Department of Transport (Chair).
- Mid West Ports Authority.
- Pilbara Ports Authority.
- Kimberley Ports Authority.
- Department of State Development.
- Department of Treasury.
Matters considered by the Steering Committee are summarised in a Communiqué issued after each meeting.
A list of communications appear below:
| Communiqué: 30 October 2015 | Kb |
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| Communiqué: 16 June 2015 | Kb |
| Communiqué: 14 April 2015 | Kb |
| Communiqué: 17 February 2015 | Kb |
| Communiqué: 14 August 2014 | Kb |
| Port Governance Reform: Tranche 2 (Fact sheet) | Kb |
Tranche 1 historical information
Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Visit the website for:
- Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
- Explanatory notes for the Ports Legislation Amendment Bill2014
- Second Reading Speech Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
| Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 | |
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Media statements
Shown in date order:
Steering Committee Communiques
Shown in date order:
Tranche 1 Southern Ports Authority Post-Implementation Review
On Friday 25 August 2017, the Minister for Transport announced a post-implementation review of the Southern Ports Authority amalgamation.
The former Albany, Bunbury and Esperance port authorities were merged to form the Southern Ports Authority (SPA) in October 2014, as part of the first tranche of port governance reforms.
The final report on the post-implementation review of the Southern Ports Authority was published 22 February 2018 and is available below.