Peninsula Ports acquires additional 283ha for future development at Port Spencer project
A proposed $230 million Eyre Peninsula grain port is set to expand as plans for more commodities and a large land acquisition are revealed.
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A proposed $230 million Eyre Peninsula grain port is set to expand with more than 280 hectares of land acquired to create a multi-commodity port.
The group behind the Port Spencer Deep Water Port project – Peninsula Ports – announced on Monday it was in discussions with “numerous parties” about other commodities to operate alongside its grain export facility.
The announcement follows the state government’s Hydrogen Export Prospectus, released last week, which identified Port Spencer as a potential site to export between 60,000 and 250,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen from the region.
Peninsula Ports chief executive Greg Walters, said the 283ha land acquisition was a potential game-changer for the project.
“The ability of Port Spencer to become a multi-commodity, multi-user would increase South
Australia’s export capacity to key markets and provide a significant economic boost to the region creating more local jobs,” Mr Walters said.
“Accommodating additional commodities at Port Spencer will help attract new investment into the Eyre Peninsula, support diversification of the local economy and long-term growth of the region.”
The green light to begin construction back in August by the State Government with the deep water port grain facility planned to be fully operational by for the 2021 harvest.
Any new commodities would need to go through an approvals process before being shipped from the port.
Peninsula Ports has ruled out iron ore for the site, with the risk of grain contamination considered to be too great.
The current Port Spencer project will create up to 150 jobs during construction and a further 20 permanent local operational jobs including employment opportunities for Barngarla community members.
Operational staff numbers are expected to further peak at 80 staff during grain harvest.
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