...we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender... Winston Churchill.

Comrade waaza
Where for you get your info that Oakajee is definately back on the table (not just drawing table but production table ?)
The port idea has been kicking around for many years... without MAJOR government funding is was never going to eventuate OR it would require massive investment from an investor and the figures not add up

Very keen to learn more of this development

OK OK there appears to be some truth in it all. Google: iron ore wa mid west

Some interesting things:

http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/f4/0c03f3f4.asp

www.mineweb.net/co_releases/248017.htm

www.theajmonline.com/informaoz/ajm/home.jsp?var_el=archart&art_id=1084814540474&seqnum=208

...and then: www.geroport.wa.gov.au/

I think the important thing is "Pre-feasibility stage". They have to get it through the public environmental review first. This is most likely to happen during a full or bankable feasibility study (something which Sinosteel seem to have put up the cash for). There will be plenty of time for comment during the PER

Hmmm

Lot of conflicting info out there at present...
the WA gov has alocated 35 million bucks to upgrade the Gero port to accommodate Iron Loading facilities from Berth 5
With a 35 million filthy lucre upgrade of the current port facility a completely new port structure, built/dredged from the ground up seems a little hard to fathom

More info please ...

Kremlin

My understanding is:

1. The Gero port will only be able to handle 50,000 tonne ships (hardly big enough for export of bulk minerals).

2. Dredging at Gero is not easy. It is limestone, and dumping the dredge spoil may create silt plumes.

Hence, Oakajee considered as an option.

Being realistic, and given the timing for such a BFS, I can't see anything happening in terms of port developent for at least 24 months - that is time to conduct the relevant studies, public review and approvals process etc etc. For now, I intend to learn the facts and take it from there...

Woohoo..struck a nerve..but remember, I lived in good old gero, I have seen it first hand. I have also heard more recent stories from other down south non locals, and that is exactly my point, if I were to go back to oakajee now I would be hassled, faded and snaked. Not by everyone but just a few diehards acting to intimidate. Maybe we can start a new forum column titled "who has been hassled at Oakajee?" or "who has a good localism agro story from geraldton?" Now, I notice that your login is 'King of the Point' so maybe you dont sail Oakajee either..??? Even the tone of your input smacks of localism and contempt for outsiders...
Or maybe this column should have been called 'Local secret spot-ism has its down side'. Anyway, the main point is that once again Oakajee is threatened, and this time they have overseas companies waving big bucks. And it's going to take a bit more than Captain Pugwash pulling his undies on over the top of his blue suit (no offence Pugwash, but I work in the resources industry and this new push is bigger than you think) Anyway, I got the impression you guys up there were sleeping on the job. Awake now?

Firstly your right i sailed oakage a half a dozen times,and havnt had a 4x4 for 3years but why bother when sunsets is 6 to 8 foot and we can see it from the front porch,may be you should sail the spot then.
NOW thats localism.

We locals no who s laughing at WHO.
May be if you didnt snake your self and ,BOTHERED TO GO OUT THE BACK you would have found your own piece of joy to carve up rather than worrie about DA HEAVEY locals BRO.
It sounds like your home sick.
500 MILION TO 1 BILLION PORT NO LOCAL WILL STOP THAT.
May be you could get in touch with this high profile local and get him to start letting down tyres again.

I think people care, but there's almost a sense of resignation that Big Business and the $ rules in this country, and unless there's a huge grassroots groundswell of public opinion (Such as Ningaloo reef where public opinion won and big business lost), Big Business usually wins. From memory the last Okajee proposal, there was quite a bit of grassroots opposition to the proposal such as "Industry Inland", but the govt wanted the industry saying it would bring xxdollars and jobs for Geralton.

I think maybe an idea you proposed earlier Wazza such as getting some compensation such as an artificial reef with access for surfers, might be worth fighting for as it could be good PR for the govt and industry????

I shouldn't do any of this serious opinion stuff I should stick to clowning.......... Did you hear about the.......

Bloody hell Harrow, where did you get that??
How much bigger can Port Botany get??
As for the WA problem, I too work in the resources industry, flipping burgers at Maccas and Im pushing for the styrofoam containers to be re-instated.

quote:

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Originally posted by ka43

Bloody hell Harrow, where did you get that??
How much bigger can Port Botany get??

---

http://www.sydneyports.com.au/botany/main.asp?pageid=266

BTW are you one of the famous many Larkin brothers?

quote
(Such as Ningaloo reef where public opinion won and big business lost)
unquote

Ningaloo-the great victory! amongst the most vocal opponents was a company, who after "victory" promptly entered into a $50 million alliance with Hilton Hotels to build a resort. No ulterior motive there?
I wasnt for or against the Mauds or other development directly (spent many years up there) but I had to laugh at seeing bumper stickers on cars of people who probably never even been there "save ningaloo!"
From who or what?