The state government's timeline to announce a preferred proponent for the development of the $2 billion Oakajee Port has been extended by a month.
Planning and infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan said the extension was not a result of the recently proposed merger between the region's iron ore miners Murchison Metals Ltd and Midwest Corporation Ltd.
The two companies have nominated Oakajee Port and Rail and Yilgarn Infrastructure Ltd respectively as their preferred infrastructure providers.
"At the commencement of the Oakajee Port Request for Proposals process, I expected to be in a position to announce the preferred respondent by the end of June 2008," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The original six week evaluation time has not been sufficient to thoroughly analyse the complex technical information, as it has been necessary to seek additional information from both nominated infrastructure providers.
"This has required us to extend the assessment period to ensure that both respondents are treated fairly and that the Government gets the best outcome for Western Australia and the resource industry.
"I am confident we can make a decision by the end of July, nominating the preferred proponent for the building of the port at Oakajee.
