Mid West Ports Authority plan to construct wash-down facility to address bulk cargo quarantine issues locally

The Mid West Ports Authority is planning to construct a wash-down facility to allow the Geraldton Port to address quarantine issues locally, after a large shipment of wind turbines was rejected last month because of bird faeces contamination. The MWPA is considering constructing of a wash-down facility at the port following concerns it would not be able to cope with major industry projects planned across the Mid West without a quarantine facility. CEO Damien Tully said the port was not a first point of entry for break bulk cargo — a Federal Government quarantine status which allows the receival of cargo such as wind turbines, directly from overseas. He said importers of these shipments were required to make an application to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on each occasion to be assessed. “If one of these cargos fails to pass quarantine inspection on arrival, the importer is required to relocate to a First Point of Entry port, like Fremantle, to address the issue,” Mr Tully said. Mr Tully said a wash-down facility was in project initiation phase and the MWPA was making way for bulk cargo. “As part of its planning, MWPA is pursuing the construction of a wash-down facility at the port, which will enable Geraldton to apply for First Point of Entry status allowing importers to address any quarantine issues locally,” he said. Last month, a vessel transporting large wind turbines was due to dock in Geraldton but was rejected after it was tainted with bird faeces while at sea. The wind turbines were redirected to Fremantle to be washed at a quarantine facility. City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said it was concerning there was no local facility ahead of the “renewable energy revolution” planned for the Mid West. “The capacity for the City’s resources to be able to wash, sterilise and get that approved was obviously short in coming forward,” he said. “We would like to think that if we are to become that gateway for such projects, that we address these issues, as a State and as a city going forward.”