Geraldton Port Maximisation Project

Challenge

The Geraldton Port Maximisation Project (PMaxP) is a major infrastructure upgrade initiative that will ensure customer and community needs are met in the future. To cater for emerging industries and sustainable increase in trade demand, the Port will need additional shared storage and expanded berths.

The Port is located in a dynamic coastal area, so managing longshore sediment movement is important. The marine environment, including Champion Bay, is also home to Australian sea lions and a variety of seagrass, coral, macroalgae, and benthic infauna.

To move forward with the upgrade, Mid West Ports Authority (MWPA) required specialist environmental expertise to navigate the complex regulatory requirements and secure the necessary approvals. Their goal was to ensure the project could progress while safeguarding the sensitive marine ecosystems and maintaining compliance with multiple legislative frameworks.

Solution

MWPA engaged SLR in 2022 during the concept design stage to provide extensive environmental and approvals support for the Geraldton Port Maximisation Project. Our initial work involved a detailed gap analysis and scoping study, followed by the technical investigations required to obtain approvals under:

• Part IV and Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act).
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
• Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (RiWI Act).

Our team delivered a broad suite of services, including:

• Gap analysis and project scoping
• Approvals strategy development
• Benthic habitat survey
• Water and sediment quality investigations
• Targeted soil investigations
• Groundwater well installation and monitoring
• Technical advice and third‑party review of terrestrial noise and dust modelling
• Underwater acoustic modelling
• Regulator, stakeholder, and community engagement
• Hydrodynamic, plume dispersion, and sediment fate transport modelling
• Greenhouse gas assessment
• Visual impact assessment
• Environmental impact assessment
• Development of monitoring programs and management plans
• Preparation and submission of a Works Approval application under Part V of the EP Act
• Preparation and submission of referrals under Part IV of the EP Act, and the EPBC Act

The ongoing support provided by SLR ensured MWPA had robust, defensible technical inputs to guide decision‑making and regulatory engagement and ultimately lead to obtaining approvals.

Impact

It was important that we worked closely with community, stakeholders, and regulators from the outset of this project. This, combined with detailed technical assessments and the establishment of strong monitoring and management programs, helped MWPA obtain the approvals required for the Geraldton Port Maximisation Project.

Our work was critical to the successful upgrade of the Port facilities and protecting the sensitive marine ecosystem. The project will help the Port handle future demand safely and efficiently, support regional growth, and ensure strong operations in the future.

“SLR’s expertise was instrumental in guiding us through a complex approvals pathway for the Geraldton Port Maximisation Project. Their comprehensive technical assessments and proactive engagement with regulators enabled us to secure the approvals needed to confidently progress this critical upgrade.”

MWPA