SA grower-owned agribusiness Free Eyre has been invited to submit a Full Business Case for assessment under the Australian Government’s highly anticipated $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund to construct Port Spencer Deep Sea Wharf on Eyre Peninsula.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said Free Eyre had put a bid in for $10m to assist in the development of Port Spencer at a site between Tumby Bay and Port Neill.
“It is very exciting news for farmers and for the region,” Mr Ramsey said. “Free Eyre has passed the first stage of a highly competitive process, with more than 300 applications received from state, territory governments and local governments, businesses and not-for-profit organisations. At a maximum there will be no more than 27 of these projects Australia wide.
“The proposal to construct a 620 metre modular jetty/wharf capable of loading 295 metre Panamax sized vessels would include construction of a ship-loader and multi-commodity conveyor system silos, sheds, bunkers and a conveyor to the port.
“It was not the only proposal put to the Regional Growth Fund to construct a port in the area. It is obvious only one port will be built and I have been urging the two parties to come together and pool their resources to ensure success. As far as I am concerned nothing has changed in that respect, even to the point of shifting the project to the alternative site if that is what the proponents thought was the best idea.
“A new port capable of handling multiple commodities will be a ‘game changer’ for Eyre Peninsula and stimulate competition in the grains industry right throughout the state. It is a transformational regional infrastructure project in every sense which will drive economic growth and create jobs.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Michael McCormack said the Regional Growth Fund will provide grants of $10 million or more for major transformational projects that support long-term economic growth and create regional jobs.
“The Regional Growth Fund will unlock economic opportunities across regional Australia and we know that when the regions are strong, so too is our nation,” Mr McCormack said.
“I am pleased to announce the Government has selected a range projects to progress to the next stage. These projects are one step away from receiving funding and making the regions where they are located even stronger and more resilient.”
More information is available at http://regional.gov.au/regional/programs/regional-growth-fund.aspx.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744