Port of Onslow Update

Port Onslow, Beadon Creek (POBC) is a Multiuser, non-biased Port focused on providing the Pilbara region of WA with streamlined commercial marine infrastructure.

A key part of the operations of the Port is the provision of reliable and fit for purpose equipment. Kuuwa is proud to be the preferred supplier of all POBC’s equipment at the Port.

Kuuwa is excited to be part of the POBC story in working to optimise supply chains that have been unchanged for more than 50 years. ?

Case study

A Shipping container leaves Singapore Port and travels to Fremantle Port some 2686nm away. Once there the container passes through customs clearance and is then placed on a truck and transported into the Pilbara approximately 1,549.5kms away.

With POBC there is now the opportunity to have liner cargo services call directly into the Port and reduce sea travel distance and require only 400kms of road transport to meet the same destination. ?

New Job Opportunities

As the port is located strategically close to multiple onshore mining and offshore energy assets in the Pilbara region, hundreds of new jobs in both the resource and transport sector are to be expected To be created.

There have been more than 190 new work opportunities created by the Port of Onslow, Beadon Creek to date with many more to come.

Through its support of the oil and gas industry alone, 227 new jobs are expected to be created, not to mention all the new business activity that will be generated as a result of a growing Onslow economy.

Transforming Onslow

The Completion of this massive project already represents a huge boost to the Offshore Oil and Gas industry, which can count on the port’s facilities to accommodate most of their operations.

Likewise, the Onshore Resources Industries will be able to import various supplies, while also gaining the ability to ship and locally store all their products directly into Onslow.

All of this culminates into additional business activity for the town of Onslow itself as more workers move in to fill in spots in these key operations, increasing the local population numbers.

However, none of these improvements would be legitimate, if we did not have the consent and support of the traditional owners of Onslow, the Thalanyji People.

Progress For Thalanyji People

POBC has a strong relationship with the Thalanyji People and recognises them as the traditional owners of the Onslow region, and always sought to make sure the capital influx from the port’s operations reached their communities.

One way in which this was accomplished was through a partnership between POBC and Kuuwa. Together, we have worked towards ensuring that whatever capital gained through the port’s activities will be reinvested into Thalanyji communities.

There are also significant investments being made towards people and business development programs, the inclusion of Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation (BTAC) and other actions aimed at creating jobs and training for indigenous people in Onslow and bridging the gap between communities.

A Green Port

By the end of FY 22, the Port of Onslow, Beadon Creek will be declared a carbon natural port allowing users to access the benefits of a carbon natural component of the supply chain. ?Kuuwa and POBC are working to deploy carbon neutral equipment across the Port which includes electric and hydrogen powered assets. ?

Conclusion

The Port of Onslow, Beadon Creek is living proof that industrial and social progress are not mutually exclusive and that the growth and prosperity of a nation need not come at the expense of any minority group but can happen because of them.

This is POBC’s goal, and so it is for Kuuwa, not only in the Pilbara, but in all of WA and even beyond, to bridge the gap between Australian Society and Indigenous Peoples, helping heal a wound long left open.

You too, through your company, or project, can help in making that happen. By partnering with Indigenous businesses, you’re ensuring that operations taking place in lands owned by indigenous people are benefiting its traditional owners.

It’s up to those in power to make decisions to act with fairness. Don’t waste this opportunity to be a part of something great.