Geraldton Port completes $9.95m Lease 88 upgrade

MID West Ports Authority has completed a $9.95 million upgrade of Lease 88, a 6000-square-metre storage facility at Geraldton Port in Western Australia.

The project upgraded the facility’s structural condition, cargo-handling capability and corrosion protection, while extending the life of the asset by more than 20 years.

In a media release to DCN, the port authority said the works were aimed at preserving the facility’s role in supporting regional exports while addressing deterioration linked to its coastal operating environment. The improvements cover the condition of the building and the way cargo can be handled within it, including measures to support environmental performance.

Lease 88 was constructed in 2006 and provides storage capacity for customers using Geraldton Port.  According to the port authority,  the facility required investment after years of exposure to coastal conditions, corrosion and weather events.

The upgrade also includes a dust extraction system for iron ore handling. The system creates airflow to capture dust inside the shed and returns extracted material to the facility, reducing the potential for dust to escape during operations.

Mid West Ports Authority chief executive Damian Tully said investment in infrastructure was necessary to maintain a safe, reliable and efficient port.

“Lease 88 is an important part of Geraldton Port’s export infrastructure, and this upgrade ensures it can continue supporting our customers and the region’s industries well into the future,” Mr Tully said.

He said delivering the project safely, on time and on budget reflected the work of the project team, contractors and customers.

More than 18,000 hours were worked on the project without a lost-time injury, according to the authority.

The authority said the works would support improved operational performance and customer handling capability at the port, which serves export industries and regional customers.

Alongside the cargo-handling, corrosion-control and environmental improvements, the project involved structural repairs and refurbishment across the facility,