Oakajee access road represents progress but community wants more information, say local leaders

There is much legwork ahead to progress the Oakajee strategic industrial area, local leaders have warned after news that a contract has been awarded to build an access road at the site.

The State Government announced on Friday that the $20 million contract to construct the access road had been given to Perth-based Highway Construction Pty Ltd, and that works would start in coming months and be finished later in 2025.

The road contract represents the beginning of the “Oakajee dream becoming a reality”, according to Premier Roger Cook, who said developing the hub would create thousands of jobs, diversify the local economy, and help WA become a global renewable energy powerhouse.

Stakeholders have called on the government to better inform and update the community on the project and for further investment in the infrastructure needed to get the project off the ground.

Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Joanne Fabling said the contract was “progress”.

“It has been a long time coming but there needs to be more information for the community, regular updates to the community to keep them on board with what is happening,” she said.

Ms Fabling said the skill shortage could be attributed to the delay in delivery of Oakajee and its access road.

“No one is immune to the skill shortage. We know things take longer than this, but this is really positive. It is finally putting something in the ground,” she said.

Opposition Leader and Moore MLA Shane Love questioned the government’s proposed timeline.

“Construction will commence in coming months. There are a lot of approvals necessary for that and very little information to go off,” he said.

“It’s been a very long road for a very short road.”

Mr Love said there was a missed opportunity when the contract was awarded to a Perth-based company, rather than a Mid West company.

“We know that we want to have every dollar remain within the region when the government is giving out money,” he said.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune welcomed moves to deliver the first infrastructure component of the Oakajee SIA on the ground.

“This long-awaited investment is the beginning of significant opportunities for the local community as the development of Oakajee will create numerous jobs and business opportunities during both the construction and operational phases along with positioning Geraldton as a key industrial hub and regional centre,” he said.

“The city looks forward to more steps being taken to develop the additional infrastructure upgrades needed to bring the Oakajee SIA to fruition.”

The road was an election promise from Labor at the 2021 election, then priced at $7.5 million.

The project will include a new intersection at North West Coastal Highway, the first phase of the access road and about 4km of highway widening in the area, with new acceleration and deceleration lanes to be built.