Gascoyne Gateway Ltd (GGL) is our company name. We are a private, Australia-based business backed by a number of investors. Profits from Gascoyne Gateway Marine Complex (GGMC) will help fund local employment, business growth and the regional economy. Having both Australian and international investors allows us to attract global capital while keeping our headquarters, operations and economic contribution firmly in Australia.
The GGMC is a proposed privately funded deep water multi-user marine facility and renewables hub south of Exmouth.
Key components of the GGMC will include:
The GGMC will benefit Exmouth in three important ways:
These highlight the GGMC’s potential to deliver lasting benefits by strengthening Exmouth's year-round economy, supporting Australia's defence capabilities, and setting a new benchmark for environmentally conscious port development.
Potential users include:
This diversity of users makes Gascoyne Gateway economically viable and supports a broader range of environmental and economic benefits than a single-use facility.
Exmouth has several strategic advantages that make it the only viable option. Other Western Australian marine facilities tend to have high tidal ranges, constrained channels and a mineral export focus, none of which applies at Exmouth.
Potential impacts on the marine environment are lower, with minimal dredging required. The onshore facilities will be built next to the existing industrial zone and landfill site, avoiding residential areas of the township and high-value conservation areas.
Exmouth is strategically positioned close to our Asian trading partners and to Christmas Island and the Cocos and Keeling Islands. It is also important to the Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force, providing a hub for refuelling, provisioning, and rest and recreation.
Prior to GGMC, the WA Government, via the Gascoyne Development Commission had conducted a feasibility assessment proposing a $180+ million, tax-payer funded cruise ship terminal at the Exmouth Marina. This would have a similar marine footprint to the GGMC, would be 10 kilometres closer to the marine park, and would only be suitable to support adhoc tourism activities. As a multi-user facility, the GGMC would deliver broader social, environmental, and economic benefits to Exmouth.
The aging navy pier was previously considered, but its infrastructure is not suitable for cruise ships, and the Department of Defence would be unlikely to allow the pier to be used for purposes other than defence, due to safety and security reasons. We have advocated that current fuel transfer operations at the navy pier, which is surrounded by the World Heritage Marine Park, could be re-directed 25km south to the GGMC, reducing capital and ongoing operating expenses to Defence and potentially opening the navy pier for other activities.
Imports and exports will be managed under strict Commonwealth and Western Australian regulatory requirements. International vessels and imported goods will be subject to biosecurity controls administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, including reporting, inspection and clearance requirements where applicable.
The facility will also comply with relevant WA environmental approvals, licences and port operating procedures
The fuel terminal and deepwater infrastructure could support Australia’s National Defence Strategy for Northern Australia, as a refuelling, logistics and remote sustainment point— reducing reliance on distant supply chains for defence and emergency operations in the region.
Its location near several existing defence facilities makes it a natural fit for future national security planning, though any formal defence requirement is a decision for Defence.
Once fully operational, the GGMC has forecast an average of 367 vessel calls a year. Of these, about 322 are new calls generated by anchorage, berthing, and cargo handling facilities that don’t currently exist in the gulf.
The remaining 45 are calls from vessels already transiting the gulf and currently using other regional facilities or anchoring offshore. These vessels will call at the GGMC rather than adding new traffic to the region.
The gulf and the wider Ningaloo Marine Park area are already highly trafficked, with vessels currently transiting to destinations including local boat ramps, offshore gas facilities, coastal trade routes, and recreational and commercial fishing grounds. This background traffic will continue regardless of the GGMC, and no significant reduction in this traffic is expected.
Vessels currently transit the gulf along paths that are not centrally controlled or managed. Vessels using the GGMC will operate under strict pilotage and navigation protocols, using determined anchorages and defined navigation pathways at low speed, mitigating risks.
Gascoyne Gateway is being assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) through a formal environmental impact assessment process. The project must pass multiple independent tests and reviews. A public comment period in the second half of 2026 will run for 12 weeks that invites submissions from the local community and broader public.
The EPA will consider these submissions before making a recommendation to the Minister for Environment. Construction on the GGMC cannot commence unless the relevant environmental approvals are granted.
The GGMC’s location was selected to reduce the impact on the environment, including the values and integrity of the Ningaloo Marine Park.
A construction management plan covering noise, dust, traffic, water quality and marine wildlife will be published and approved before any works begin.
The gulf has been used and traversed for many years by a wide range of commercial, fishing, and recreational boats. Underwater video and satellite modelling show that the site has very low levels of natural benthic habitat, meaning there is minimal fauna and flora on the seabed.
A fixed, regulated berth removes the need for large vessels to anchor, which can scour and damage seagrass and benthic habitat. By providing one specific, scientifically chosen channel and berth, the GGMC concentrates activity in a single carefully selected location, avoiding the damage caused by unregulated anchoring and noisy dynamic positioning. It also enables recovery in areas previously impacted by vessel use.
Seabed condition will be monitored throughout construction and into operations.
There will be no dumping of dredge spoil into the gulf. The sand and limestone dredged at the berth face will be re-used in the construction of the facility.
Localised, temporary changes in water quality will occur during the dredging program, which are expected to last for a short time after the completion of dredging.
While hydraulic modelling has shown that maintenance dredging is unlikely to be needed, coastal modelling suggests that it may be needed after significant cyclone activity. If required, this would be similar to routine dredging performed at the Exmouth town beach north of the existing marina.
The GGMC is designed to minimise impact on whales and other marine life
The Exmouth Gulf spans over 54 km wide. Access to the GGMC will be via a dedicated shipping channel on the west side of the gulf, about 10km south of the town marina. This is positioned well away from the shallow whale resting areas much further south and east in the Gulf.
Vessel speed into the Gulf and on approach to the GGMC will be reduced and closely regulated, and dedicated caution and exclusion zones will apply.
Slowing vessel speeds to 5-8 knots on transits along a predictable route significantly reduces the risk of vessel interactions and underwater noise compared with the current unregulated vessel movement in the gulf.
GGL is investigating the use of tracking tools to help vessels avoid whale hotspots.
Qualing Pool currently borders the Exmouth industrial estate and the town's landfill facility. It is fully accessible by the many public 4WD tracks weaving through the area. Until the GGMC proposal, there has been no consideration of protected or managed in any way, despite the existing disturbance.
There will be no direct or indirect impacts to Qualing Pool, which lies outside of the GGMC development footprint.
GGL respects the importance of Qualing Pool to Traditional Owners, and since the inception of the project, has been committed to supporting the protection of this area's environmental, social and cultural value in collaboration with Traditional Owners, the state government, the Shire of Exmouth and local community.
Every vessel using the GGMC will need to meet strict biosecurity checks to prevent marine pests and diseases entering Australian waters.
Vessels entering WA waters from outside Australia must submit AQIS documentation before entry, and all vessels entering the gulf must comply with Australian ballast water management requirements. All vessels entering the GGMC must also adhere to WA vessel biosecurity requirements, and vessel operators must submit an anti-fouling protection certificate of currency.
GGL will establish introduced marine pest monitoring sites within the marine complex area and the vessel channel.
The GGMC is expected to support more than 70 direct and 130 indirect full-time jobs, with the potential for 600+ jobs across the Gascoyne region. We anticipate that the GGMC will contribute about $34 million per year to the Exmouth economy, with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimating it could contribute more than $1 billion to the state's economy over the next 25 years.
Importantly, these year-round jobs and revenue will help smooth out the seasonal peaks and troughs that the local economy currently experiences.
We will prioritise local employment, local procurement of goods and services, apprenticeships and skills development, and economic diversification beyond seasonal tourism.
We are committed to ongoing engagement with the Shire of Exmouth, Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Traditional Owners so the economic benefits are shared locally, and we will continue to work with industry training providers to build a local workforce.
Exmouth currently has no suitable berth for cruise ships, so they anchor offshore and tender passengers ashore. With cruise passengers spending about $280 each per day onshore, this would support the town's economic return from cruise visits. A regulated, planned berthing facility would allow this spending to occur more reliably and consistently, supporting local businesses.
Exmouth's current reliance on unplanned tourism places significant strain on the local community, including public amenities, especially during peak periods. Cruise ship arrivals, by contrast, are planned well in advance, which makes them easier to manage.
Once into construction, we aim to work closely with the Shire of Exmouth and the Tourism Council of WA to plan cruise scheduling to minimise negative impacts on the town, including avoiding clashes with peak domestic tourism periods.
Currently there is a single road in and out of Exmouth, meaning that most goods are transported via road freight. The GGMC would reduce this along with its associated emissions.
To facilitate road deliveries to and from the GGMC, we are proposing modifications to the Minilya Exmouth Road to enable the safe movement of trucks. A bridge crossing would also be built just north of the facility.
Fishing spots in Exmouth are highly valued and currently only beach or boat access is available to recreational fishers.
GGL is exploring fishing and access options from the GGMC that meet maritime security and safety requirements while supporting recreational fishing. GGL is also exploring using the causeway to build an artificial reef as a regenerative environmental initiative.
The general public will not have access to the wharf. However, the public will have continued access to the beach to the north and south of the wharf.
This is consistent with safety and security requirements at other regulated marine facilities and reflects the wharf's role as active shipping infrastructure rather than a public space.
The GGMC will be powered by renewables, primarily solar, with backup power. Since GGL first announced plans to provide clean energy to Exmouth, Horizon Power has announced its strategy for providing the town with renewable energy, which GGL fully supports.
Exmouth currently relies on groundwater for about 80 per cent of its water supply. Abstraction has placed pressure on local aquifers and groundwater-dependent species.
The GGMC will use seawater desalination for its own needs, with the capacity to supply additional fresh water to the town and customers. This is consistent with the Water Corporation's strategy to move away from groundwater and reflects the importance of protecting local groundwater for subterranean fauna and cultural heritage values.
Currently, fuel and freight reach the region almost entirely by road, which is costly and subject to disruption. The GGMC plans to provide regional fuel storage, thus reducing reliance on long-haul road transport, potentially lowering costs, and improving resilience related to natural disasters and international conflicts.
A regulated deep-water berth closer to supply routes also reduces vessel steaming times and associated emissions.
The GGMC is also well placed to support broader national priorities, including the Australian Government's Defence Fuel Resilience Program and the National Fuel Security Plan.
The proposed wharf and causeway will extend up to 1,500 m from the shoreline into the gulf just south of the industrial estate. It may be visible from the marina and beaches in the area and may be noticeable when vessels are berthed, like freighters, cruise ships, and superyachts.
The lifestyle blocks in Wilderness Estate are generally located inland, with native vegetation screening their view to the coast. Vegetation buffers between the estate and the main road may provide visual barriers but some elevated blocks with a coastal view may see the GGMC.
There will be some daytime noise during construction and night time noise will be limited to short term dredging.
Daytime noise during operations will be monitored and comply with noise regulations.
Marine safety requirements require the wharf to be lit at night and some navigation lights are needed in the gulf to guide vessels safely at night.
Lighting has been designed to minimise impact on the environment, both in terms of visibility from land and potential impacts on marine life like turtles and birds.