$12 million berth works to strengthen trade capacity at Albany and Bunbury ports
Western Australia is investing $12.2 million in berth refurbishment works at Albany and Bunbury to improve port reliability, support growing trade, and future-proof southern WA’s export capacity.
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Western Australia has announced a $12.2 million berth refurbishment program for the Port of Albany and Port of Bunbury, in a move designed to strengthen trade infrastructure in the state’s south and support future export growth.
The works are aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of key port assets at two of Southern Ports’ most important operations, with the state saying the investment will help keep trade moving as demand changes across regional industries.
Southern Ports said the program is focused on maintaining critical berth infrastructure so the ports can continue handling current volumes while preparing for longer-term growth. The organisation said the upgrades are part of a broader push to future-proof port capacity across southern WA.
The Port of Bunbury is a particular focus because of its role in supporting spodumene and other export commodities tied to the state’s growing battery-minerals supply chain. Albany, meanwhile, remains central to bulk trade, including grain exports, through one of the region’s busiest berths.
Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said the investment would help improve trade outcomes by keeping the ports efficient and operational. He said the goal was to ensure the ports remained capable of meeting current demand while also positioning them for future growth.
He said, “Put simply, investing in our infrastructure means optimising trade outcomes for our customers.” He added that the ports needed to remain “efficient and operational 24/7 to meet current demand, while also positioning us well for future growth.”
Wilks also said Berth 8 at Bunbury played a critical role in the export of spodumene and that the investment in its upkeep was “vitally important”. He said the growth in renewable energy, critical minerals and new trade prospects meant the port had to operate at optimal capacity.
The government has framed the project as part of a wider effort to support Western Australia’s economic development through port infrastructure investment. Ports Minister Stephen Dawson said the state’s ports are central to economic growth and that the budget allocation is intended to keep the system moving forward.
Dawson said, “Our ports drive Western Australia's economic growth, and the State Budget is investing in infrastructure to keep our State moving forward.”
Southern Ports said the berth program will also support jobs and regional supply chains by improving the longevity of essential port assets. The organisation has argued that long-term planning and maintenance are necessary to avoid limiting future trade opportunities as the South West economy evolves.
TAMS Group chief executive Lee Bartlett said, “The works will improve the ports’ longevity, while expanding capacity, trade, and jobs in the region.”
This matters because Albany and Bunbury are not just local infrastructure assets; they are part of the trade network that links regional production to global markets. As WA looks to expand in critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and energy transition industries, port capacity is becoming a more important economic lever.
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