Australia Proposes Common User Facility for Small Companies in Pilbara Region

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--The Department of Commerce (Perth, Western Australia) plans to build a common user facility at Lumsden Point in Port Hedland. The Pilbara Fabrication & Services Common Use Facility (PFSCUF) would be modelled on the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, a successful common user facility developed 10 years ago by the state government to allow access to fabrication and assembly facilities at a fixed price.

The facility would allow smaller companies to compete for projects within the resource-rich Pilbara Region, without the cost barriers required for the private development of such facilities.

John O'Hare, general manager, said, "The proposed PFSCUF will provide access to infrastructure that enables a range of key industries, including housing, construction, marine, defense, paramilitary, minerals and oil and gas, to maximize the economic development opportunities in the region."

The PFSCUF is expected to include facilities such as land-backed wharves; ship lift; slipway; pipe-spooling corridor; lay-down areas; repair and maintenance facilities; and heavy load-out facilities.

GHD Pty Limited (Melbourne, Australia) has completed the feasibility engineering and design study (FEDS) for the project, and plans for the facility have been submitted to the government, which will review the plans and decide whether to proceed with the project.

The Pilbara region is known as the "powerhouse" of the Western Australian resources sector--producing approximately 80% of the minerals and petroleum within the state--and Australia. According to the Western Australian Department for Mineral and Petroleum, Pilbara accounts for 90% of Australia's iron ore, 85% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 80% of its crude and condensate.

The facility would be partially funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions initiative,

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