Mid West Ports Authority to propose second dust tamer fence, DWER results imminent, local tests carried out

In the ongoing fight against dust, the Mid West Ports Authority has proposed construction of another dust containment barrier fence to further combat the growing problem.

As test results from a Department of Water and Environmental Regulation investigation are yet to be returned or confirmed, the port is actively looking at upgrades to its dust mitigation project following floods of complaints from residents.

At a Fishing Boat Harbour community meeting in June, the port revealed multiple updates in the war against iron ore dust with plans for a new barrier fence.

The port has said it could not confirm the final plan or costing of the new proposed fence, however noted it was responsible for what happened inside the port and would do what it could to help.

This comes just over three years after the initial 90m-long DustTamer fence was installed in the port in April 2023.

The second proposed fence was estimated to cost $1.5 million and would be co-funded by MWPA and Karara Mining — which is yet to be confirmed as the tender for the proposed fence has not been finalised.

Passionate dust advocate and business owner in the fishing boat harbour, Dean Parker, said while the proposal to build a second wall was welcome, it would not address the problem of mining companies, such as Karara, continuing to transport uncontained loads.

“Karara have said in the past at meetings that “they can lose anywhere up to 150-200 tonnes per load on the way into Geraldton”. That is tonnes of magnetite causing problems and destruction right through the Mid West,” he said.

The black iron ore dust coating the town in dirty residue has allegedly come from incoming and outgoing Karara Mining trains, with various accusations hurled their way from aggrieved locals.

On multiple occasions, Karara has failed to respond to commentary requests about the dust problem.

For over six years, members and business owners within Fishing Boat Harbour and town have reported damage to boats and deteriorating infrastructure from the iron ore dust, with proactive solutions still yet to come.

In its recent proposal, approved by the MWPA board, MWPA’s new fence would aim to improve conditions in Fishing Boat Harbour by reducing dust, noise, wind energy and wind speed.

While official airborne dust results from DWER are still not available, local in-situ dust results taken and tested by residents have allegedly revealed levels of iron ore, haematite and magnetite.