New green port design under way

The first images of Australia’s proposed “green” port off the coast of Exmouth have been revealed.

The Gascoyne Gateway marine facility is a single jetty deep-water port capable of servicing vessels from the navy, cruise ships and private yachts in the Exmouth Gulf.

The green port would run on renewable energy and be the first in the country to incorporate environmental regeneration initiatives into its initial planning.

Gascoyne Gateway managing director Michael Edwards said the facility would be designed to enhance the marine environment.

Mr Edwards said planned location of the green port was 10km south of Exmouth, next to an industrial area and away from Ningaloo Marine Park.

He said the port would establish proper management of vessel movement in the gulf and ensure marine traffic did not have an impact on the pristine marine park.

“The project will also enable marine habitat that has already been damaged by ship’s anchors to be restored by regulating anchoring in allocated areas of the gulf,” he said.

Construction of the port is expected to create 400 jobs with 70 full-time local positions once fully operational. Community consultation for the design and planning stage of the port has begun.