Land deal clears way for Anketell Port

Premier Colin Barnett and Aboriginal elders with Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation CEO Paul Stenson (centre). Photo: Margaret Bertling

Aboriginal land owners have signed a $20 million deal with the West Australian government, paving the way for the development of a new port and iron ore export route from the Pilbara.

Under the deal, more than 4000 hectares of Ngarluma traditional land 30 kilometres north-east of Karratha will be transformed into a multi-user deepwater port and industrial area expected to move more than 350 million tonnes of iron ore a year.

Coal miner Aquila Resources and American Metals and Coal International want to built the Anketell Port to export iron ore from its planned West Pilbara venture.

The development will offer an alternative export route to Port Hedland and Cape Lambert, which are currently overcrowded, and the federal government expects construction to create more than 4000 jobs.

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The Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the original inhabitants of coastal areas around Roebourne, will receive $20 million over nine years under a deal signed this week.

NAC CEO said the development would provide community infrastructure and create jobs for the Ngarluma people.

"The Ngarluma people have negotiated with the state in good faith, recognising the need to provide access for the development of a new port at Anketell, while making our case of the need to maintain our connection to our land, waterways, rivers and seas," NAC chief executive Paul Stenson said.

But waters at the proposed port, which was given environmental approval last year, are home to threatened and migratory species including the endangered blue whale and loggerhead and leatherback turtles.

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Land deal clears way for Anketell Port