New port to boost grain export industry

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

A win for the state’s grain export industry today with the State Government officially opening the landmark Port of Narungga, a new port with the capacity to process up to half a million tonnes of grain annually.

The Port of Narungga has been built near the existing Wallaroo port and will offer an important boost to South Australia’s agricultural export options and employment across the Yorke Peninsula region.

Wallaroo Harbor has been divided into two sections – the Flinders Ports-operated Wallaroo Harbor and the new T-Ports-operated Narungga Harbor– to ensure safe and efficient operations. 

The Port’s name, “Narungga”, pays tribute to the traditional custodians of the area, the Narungga people, and their deep cultural connection to the surrounding waters of Guuranda (Yorke Peninsula). It also recognises that the handling of grain at the facility is grown and harvested from all over the Yorke Peninsula.

It is the first time a harbour and a port in Australia have been named in honour of the traditional custodians of the sea and land.

The first full harvest season could see the Port of Narungga export up to 360,000 tonnes of grain while supporting hundreds of growers from across the Yorke Peninsula. Employment at the facility will vary seasonally however it is expected up to 100 jobs will be supported during peak harvest and export seasons.

An Indigenous Land Use Agreement between T-Ports and Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation will ensure ongoing income, job and training opportunities for the Narungga people.

Grain will be transferred from a smaller barge vessel to larger ships offshore, utilising the transhipment method, making for a streamlined process that offers farmers another option at harvest time.

T-Ports also operate from a grain facility out of the Port of Lucky Bay on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula.