Science in the Sound: How research is shaping the future of container trade in WA

A symposium to celebrate a major marine science program

As the WAMSI-Westport Marine Science Program (WWMSP) Symposium began, the atmosphere reflected the significance of three years of research in Cockburn Sound.  

Around the room, scientists and stakeholders gathered - many having spent months studying seagrass meadows, fish movements and sediment quality. On the screen, images of fieldwork and modelling told the story: divers collecting seagrass fruit, sediment sampling and digital ecosystem modelling.  

This $13.5 million State Government investment, delivered in partnership with the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), provided independent, transparent and rigorously peer-reviewed science – guiding design decisions, minimising environmental impacts and supporting long-term restoration in one of WA’s most complex marine environments. 

Through nine interconnected research themes – including seagrass health, fisheries, sediment and water quality, hydrodynamics, and ecosystem modelling – the program has built the most comprehensive evidence base ever assembled for Cockburn Sound. This science now underpins design decisions, cumulative impact assessments and restoration planning to minimise environmental risks and protect long-term ecosystem health. 

Designing critical infrastructure with science at the centre 

“When Kwinana was confirmed as the preferred site for the future container port, we knew we’d be working in a marine environment with important ecological value and a long industrial history,” said Patrick Seares, Managing Director of Westport.  “That’s why we partnered early with the scientific community – to inform how we planned for this critical infrastructure in a way that avoided or minimised environmental impacts, with the intent of leaving Cockburn Sound in better shape than we found it.” 

The WWMSP is a three-year collaboration involving more than 150 scientists from institutions including the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, CSIRO,and State Government agencies, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).  

The program delivered more than 30 projects shaped through 16 expert workshops that brought together scientists, stakeholders and community representatives. 

“This is one of the most comprehensive marine science programs ever undertaken in Australia,” said Dr Luke Twomey, Chief Executive Officer of WAMSI. “This type of deep dive into the knowledge of the area is really important for a developing coastal community. So, it’s quite significant in the fact that we’re bringing all that information right at the start of a new project.” 

The research has also explored the social values that make Cockburn Sound a place of recreation, identity and connection for many Western Australians. These insights are now helping inform decisions that reflect how people use and care for Cockburn Sound. 

Westport Managing Director Patrick Seares and WAMSI Chief Executive Officer Dr Luke Twomey.

A research program for better decisions  

Findings from the program have already shaped key aspects of Westport’s proposed design: shifting the port footprint one kilometre south to avoid mapped seagrass meadows, repositioning the breakwater to maintain natural water circulation and adjusting the layout to avoid known snapper spawning areas. Even the proposed channel alignment follows historic dredging zones to limit further seagrass impacts. This science will continue to inform Westport’s detailed infrastructure design, environmental impact assessment and restoration planning. 

“We’ve used this science to make targeted, evidence-based changes to the port design,” Mr Seares said. “It’s helped us avoid sensitive areas, reduce risk and plan for a port that supports long-term environmental and operational sustainability."

Targeted seagrass restoration informed by science

Seagrass meadows are the foundation of Cockburn Sound’s ecosystem – providing habitat, improving water quality and storing carbon. They are critical for biodiversity and climate resilience, yet can take decades to recover from disturbance, making early, science-led planning essential. 

The WWMSP has delivered the most detailed understanding of seagrass health and resilience to date. This evidence is guiding a substantial restoration program to maximise recovery before, during and after construction, supported by trials and modelling that identify where restoration can succeed. 

Westport has also secured $17.4 million for marine and coastal initiatives that will use the WWMSP findings for planning and delivery. This includes deploying artificial reefs and support for the community-led Seeds for Snapper Seagrass Restoration program – complementing Westport’s own restoration efforts to make substantial seagrass habitat expansion an achievable goal for Cockburn Sound. 

Planning in a shared marine space  

Cockburn Sound is a complex, shared marine system that supports industry, defence, recreation and biodiversity. To understand cumulative impacts over time, the WWMSP developed integrated ecosystem and water-quality models to simulate environmental responses under different development and restoration scenarios. These tools provide a system-wide view of Cockburn Sound before and after Westport, factoring in other industrial activities and infrastructure. This modelling is now informing environmental planning and management strategies to minimise construction impacts, including dredging. 

“We understand that people want to know how all of this fits together,” Mr Seares said. “That’s why we are taking a whole-of-system view, looking not just at our own footprint, but how it connects with other activities in the area.”  

Beyond Westport: A legacy of science for better planning  

Westport is now in Stage 4 of definition and delivery, progressing detailed design and approvals. The WWMSP reports are being published following peer review, with finalised datasets released as open data to support transparency and future research. Program data and analytics are being integrated through Shared Environmental Analytics Facility (SEAF) pilot programs in Cockburn Sound and the Pilbara, positioning Western Australia as a leader in digital environmental assessment and cumulative impact analysis. 

“This isn’t just about building a port,” said Mr Seares.“It’s about setting a new standard for how we plan infrastructure in Western Australia – with science at the centre, and community and environmental values guiding every step.”  

The WAMSI-Westport partnership has demonstrated that early, independent investment in science can guide planning to avoid environmental harm, improve transparency and public confidence, and create an enduring knowledge base to inform environmental management in Cockburn Sound for years to come.