- 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.
As stated by 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."
As stated by 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."
As stated by 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."
