A proposal to upgrade and extend wharf infrastructure at the Port of Geraldton has been recommended for approval by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), subject to conditions to minimise impacts on the marine environment, seagrass, marine fauna and coastal processes.

The Mid West Ports Authority wants to replace multiple wharf decks, upgrade the tug harbour and construct a new breakwater extending further north into Champion Bay as part of its proposed Geraldton Port Maximisation Project.

The proposal is located at the existing port and includes new berths to support future renewables energy projects and break-bulk cargo.

EPA Chair Darren Walsh said the independent Authority’s recommended conditions included excluding dredging from summer peak seagrass growth periods, and limits on area of seagrass to be impacted.

“The EPA has also recommended conditioning a Marine Fauna Management Plan to mitigate the likely impacts from the proposal on marine fauna, namely Australian sea lions that are known to use the port as haul-out habitat,” he said. “This would include marine fauna observation and exclusions zones for construction activities, a minimum of two dedicated marine fauna observers present during dredging and piling, and staged construction to ensure that some Australian sea lion haul-out habitats would remain available.

“Additionally, the rock wall related to the new tug harbour and breakwater would require a design that accommodates new artificial haul-out (flat rock) surfaces for the sea lions.”

Mr Walsh said the proponent had also committed to measures to minimise impacts to marine environmental quality which included water quality monitoring at the tailwater discharge points, and contingency actions such as installing silt curtains.

The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a three-week public appeal period, closing 10 October 2025. Appeals should be directed to the Office of the Appeals Convenor. The Minister for Environment will make the final decision on the proposal. EPA Report 1792 can be found on the EPA website.

EPA Media Contact: Jenni.Storey@dwer.wa.gov.au; 0434 734 997