Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) is set to invest $255 million in upgrades to common-user infrastructure, including a $95 million loan to Water Corporation for the expansion of the Burrup seawater supply and brine disposal scheme.
The Water Corporation investment will support the proposed $4.3 billion Perdaman Urea Project, which is located 20km north-west of Karratha. The project will convert Western Australian liquefied natural gas into about two million tonnes of urea per year (urea is a widely used form of fertiliser for food production).
The Burrup seawater supply and brine disposal scheme will connect to the Perdaman Urea Plant once built.
The two loans are the first NAIF investments into Western Australian Government entities and include:
- $160 million to the Pilbara Ports Authority for a new multi-user wharf and facilities at the Port of Dampier
- $95 million to Water Corporation for the expansion of the Burrup seawater supply and brine disposal
Western Australian Water Minister, Dave Kelly, said, “The Western Australian Government has committed to upgrading the common-user infrastructure needed to support the Perdaman Urea Project.”
The NAIF loans build on Western Australian Government support for the project, which has provided $47.6 million for road relocation costs, the detailed design of a new Dampier Cargo Wharf and upgrades to seawater supply infrastructure.
Western Australian Regional Development Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, said that the government has also supported this project because it develops manufacturing capabilities and because of its commitment to working closely with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.
It is estimated the Perdaman project will create around 2,500 jobs during construction and 200 operational jobs.
Western Australian State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister, Roger Cook, said, “Recent international supply chain issues have highlighted just how important urea is to industry sectors such as agriculture and transport.
“Western Australia has the potential to supply these sectors with the urea they need.
“As the first new gas manufacturing project in the Pilbara for more than a decade, the Perdaman Urea Project will play a role in helping diversify Western Australia’s economy and create local jobs.”
Any WA Government financial contribution is subject to a number of conditions, including the project reaching financial close and all statutory and regulatory approvals being met.
