Oakajee, Western Australia
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| Oakajee Western Australia |
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| Established: | 1996 |
| Postcode: | 6532 |
| Location: | |
| LGA: | Shire of Chapman Valley |
| State District: | Greenough |
| Federal Division: | Kalgoorlie |
Oakajee is a small town located in the Mid West region of Western Australia, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of the town of Geraldton.
The beaches and surf breaks at Oakajee and nearby Coronation are world renowned surfing, windsurfing and kiting venues which attract thousands of surfers and holiday makers from across Australia and overseas.
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[edit] Proposed port and railway
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In 1996, it was proposed to establish a new port and railway to serve the mining industry, especially iron ore from mines in the Mid West region. Maritime studies funded by the iron ore industry over the last decade have led to the currently held consensus that Oakajee is the most suitable site in the region for a deep water port with the ability to service the export demands of the Midwest's mining operators. The construction of the new port would destroy Okajee surf beach and severely affect Coronation surf break which has been enjoyed by locals for generations.
The port implementation plans are highly controversial amongst local residents. For example, the Geraldton Windsurfing Club is formally opposed to the plans. Their position is detailed here [1]. Protests by the surfing, windsurfing and general community against the proposal by the international mining corporations are expected to continue.
The Midwest region is abundant with minerals, in particular Iron ore, which is currently exported through the port of Geraldton. The proposed port and railway would be a common carrier or shared infrastructure facility originally proposed to be entirely owned and operated by the government. Despite enormous pressure recently from the iron ore industry, planning authorities have not proceeded with implementation plans.
The railway and port project lapsed and has been proposed again ten years later by two iron ore miners: Murchison Metals (ASX:MMX) and Midwest Corporation (ASX:MIS). Several midwest iron ore producers, one of which is Gindalbie Metals (ASX: GBG), are potentially in the running to benefit from the planned infrastructure facility which has the potential to export somewhere in the order of up to 100 million tonnes per annum (based on similar sized operations such as the port of Dampier, W.A.)
Even though the nearby railways at Geraldton are 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge, the new railway would be 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) standard gauge. This choice of gauge is to allow use of off-the-shelf equipment, especially for heavy duty equipment, and because the countryside is pristine desert, there is potential for severe damage by through traffic.
[edit] Possible users
- Golden West Resources [1]
[edit] Timeline
[edit] 2008
- May - tenders closed.
- Yilgarn Infrastructure - one bidder
- Oakajee Port and Rail - other tenderer. [2]
[edit] 2007
The new port of Oakajee was previously to be served by separate narrow gauge and standard gauge lines, but Westnet Rail, the track authority, has proposed a common network with a significant length of double track dual gauge (as far as Mullewa) which has greater flexibility. [3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Golden West Resources | Wiluna West Iron Project
- ^ Oakajee tender process limited : thewest.com.au
- ^ Railway Digest August 2007
[edit] Further reading
- Environmental Protection Authority (WA) (1997) Oakajee deepwater port, Oakajee, Shire of Chapman Valley : Minister for Resources Development : report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority.
- Environmental Protection Authority (WA) Bulletin, 1030-0120 ; 866. ISBN 0730980510
[edit] External links
- Oakajee, Western Australia is at coordinates Coordinates:
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