• Site works have commenced on a $5.25 million road at Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area to support $1 billion Albemarle lithium processing plant
• Sod-turning event marks 12 months since the creation of the McGowan Government's Industrial Lands Authority (ILA)
• First year of operation has seen ILA unlock 393ha of future industrial land

Site works have today commenced on a new 2.5 kilometre road at the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area (SIA), which is set to support the development of the new Albemarle lithium processing plant and unlock an additional 350 hectares of industrial land.

The $5.25 million road, an election commitment to provide serviced land at Kemerton, will connect Wellesley Road North to Marriot Road.

In addition to facilitating the operations of the lithium plant, the road will open up more land for strategic industry at Kemerton and provide an important freight link for businesses in the SIA.

Work is underway on the Albemarle plant on an 89ha site at the Kemerton SIA, north-east of Bunbury, with more than 500 construction jobs to be created during the development phase and a further 500 jobs to follow at full operational capacity.

The plant will comprise five 20,000 tonnes per annum process trains to produce up to 100,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide once operational.

The Kemerton SIA is the South-West's largest Strategic Industrial Area, designed to value-add to the region's natural resources and support industries of regional importance.

Its development is led by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, and delivered by LandCorp's Industrial Lands Authority (ILA).

This month marks one year since the formation of the ILA - a McGowan Government election commitment to better co-ordinate the planning and delivery of industrial land to drive jobs and growth in WA.

In its first year of operation, the ILA has been responsible for unlocking 393 hectares of land for development and sale or lease of 120 hectares of land.

This will see direct investment of more than $3.8 billion and the creation of more than 6,100 construction jobs and more than 11,000 operational jobs.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"The new road is an important strategic asset that will unlock thousands of jobs in the future, particularly in the Peel and South-West regions.

"The Albemarle lithium plant will deliver a boost to local jobs in these regions, and my Government is pleased to deliver the necessary infrastructure to support it. 

"The ILA was an important election commitment that is already seeing positive results in driving job creating and economic activity."

Comments attributed to Lands Minister Ben Wyatt:

"The development of supporting infrastructure at Kemerton is further evidence of the McGowan Government's commitment to driving economic development and job creation in Western Australia.

"The role of the ILA is a crucial one for the growth and prosperity of our State, and the first 12 months of operation have clearly demonstrated the value of our election commitment to a dedicated agency focused on delivering strategically-located industrial land for the jobs of tomorrow.

"Over the next four years, the ILA will invest $130 million to provide land and infrastructure for strategic, special and general industries throughout WA - driving economic growth and business investment, supporting new industries and creating jobs."

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Lands Minister's office - 6552 5900