Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton - Issue No.: 781 Issue Date: 22 Apr, 2024

Guest Speaker Dr Rochelle MacDonald: CEO at Mid West Ports Authority, Dr Rochelle Macdonald has been involved with the ports industry for most of her career.  She worked in Geraldton twenty years ago and recently returned (2018) with a vision to modernise the port and its systems, identify and provide clarity around its strategic direction, and to build connections with the Mid West community through collaboration at every opportunity, to ensure that common aspirations for the region are developed and nurtured.

RM outlined MWPA's strategic direction and purpose, which includes both trade and tourism.

In the next five years the priorities are based on opportunity e.g. sending sand to Singapore's construction industry.

The last year has seen 368 ships in port; 11 cruise vessels (12,000+ people); $67.3m revenue ($10m went to the State govt); 0 workers injured; nation leading covid19  response developed.

MWPA is outwardly focussed on its commercial harbour; fishing boat harbour; Geraldton community; suppliers of product.

MWPA is also focussed on developing its assets recognising that every asset has a life cycle.

MWPA is keen to consolidate its shipping of nickel concentrates, mineral sands and construction sands.

RM describes MWPA's future trade being led by iron ore and grain. Other exports to a lesser extent will be rare earths, base metals, Vanadium, Hydrogen and Sulphate of Potash.

In 2020-21 the MWPA expects to handle between 16-17m tonnes of product; 377 ships; $70.2m revenue (of which $33m goes to State Govt and $25m will be spent on port).

The development of the ferry jetty near the Eastern Breakwater is a development that the community will notice.

Questions from Bill Frazer, Kim Stokes, Ian Johnson, Ian Taylor.

Guest Speaker thanks via zoom by Hugh Lavery ( a first! :) )