A concept drawing of the proposed Nutrien fertiliser facility at East Rockingham. Image: Birchmead

NUTRIEN Ag Solutions has commenced work on a new bulk fertiliser distribution centre at East Rockingham, south of Perth, after a fire destroyed key infrastructure at the company’s existing site in February.

The new $70-million facility will be built 2km from the damaged one at the Kwinana Bulk Jetty precinct, and will increase the company’s bulk granular fertiliser storage capacity by 20 percent to 130,000 tonnes.

Nutrien Ag Solutions managing director Kelly Freeman said Nutrien will continue to supply farmers with fertiliser from its existing Kwinana site throughout the 2025 season prior to the new East Rockingham facility becoming operational in 2026.

“Nutrien’s investment is a continuation of our commitment to the Australian market and our desire to create a more robust supply chain to mitigate risks and support the economic stability of Western Australia’s $16-billion agricultural industry,” Mr Freeman said.

“WA is very important to Nutrien and our dealings here with the State Government, authorities and thousands of farmers have given us the confidence to make this significant investment into WA agriculture.

“We have also worked hard to make sure that we can continue to supply farmers while the new facility is being built.

“This bigger, more efficient facility not only strengthens Nutrien’s capability to serve farmers but also reinforces Western Australia’s role as a key agricultural hub for food production and exports.”

WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis welcomed Nutrien’s investment.

“This new facility increases Nutrien Ag Solutions capacity, securing supply so that farmers can access fertiliser at the right time to optimise yields,” Ms Jarvis said.

“I welcome this significant investment by Nutrien Ag Solutions that will support our farmers to remain internationally competitive, drive economic growth and create local jobs.”

The new site will feature three undercover outloads, more slots for storage, twin blending lines, pits, and wheel washers on-site for trucks.

It will have new dedicated loading equipment with improved loading systems.

These systems will allow improved loading speeds and operating conditions for both site personnel and the customers trucks being loaded.

It will also have an office for 30 people.

Nutrien Ag Solutions west region director Andrew Duperouzel said the new facility, being developed by WA company Birchmead, will feature state-of-the-art equipment and be purpose-built to maximise efficiency.

“Granular fertiliser is a key input for farmers who need to apply it at the right time to maximise their crops, so ready access at the right time is critical,” Mr Duperouzel said.

“Our investment will mean more fertiliser can be stored and more efficiently blended and loaded out to farmers.

“The new facility means we will have approximately 20 per cent more bulk fertiliser storage for WA which adds certainty of supply for farmers in an environment where global supply chain issues are one of their greatest risks.”

The new distribution centre will complement Nutrien’s other WA facilities which include a liquid fertiliser manufacturing plant, research facilities and more than 70 stores throughout metropolitan and regional WA.

It will also support the continued growth of Perth’s key industrial precinct, which is benefiting from $20M in WA Government funding to expand the Kwinana Bulk Jetty precinct and enhance its capacity.

A further $2M will enable Fremantle Ports Authority to plan for a redesign of landside logistics assets and connections, including new sheds, road connections and improved rail sidings.

Bolstering the jetty is key to transforming the surrounding precinct into a Global Advanced Industries Hub, which will create long-term local jobs and diversify the State’s economy.

Source: Nutrien Ag Solutions, WA Government