Press Release

The Pastoralists and Graziers’ Association is keen for the James Point consortium to include storage and handling facilities for WA grain exporters at its proposed private port complex near Kwinana.

PGA Grains Chairman Leon Bradley said he had convened a meeting last week between interested grain traders and the Chairman of the James Point Consortium, Dr Chris Whitaker to discuss bulk grain shipping requirements and how they might fit with development of the new port.

“The deregulation of export wheat, ending the 70-year-old national wheat monopoly, has made it imperative for both growers and grain exporters to find alternative port facilities,” Mr Bradley said.

“With State Government approval pending for the new James Point port project to proceed, it is now possible for this alternative facility to be available to exporters within two years and some grain exporters have signalled a keen interest in using the facility from the outset.”

Mr Bradley said there was already a major expansion of private investment in on-farm grain storage, as grain growers moved to reduce their storage and handling costs and to increase their marketing flexibility.

“Wheat deregulation has not only already significantly lifted the returns of growers in this first harvest, but it has also opened the way for competition and private investment in the grain handling and shipping sectors.”

“We regard the James Point project as a vital factor in providing competition in the grain handling and storage sector, which would benefit both growers and grain exporters.”