The state government announced last week all WA ports excluding Fremantle would be amalgamated into four regional ports.

The government said the plan came after a review on the WA ports.

Transport minister Troy Buswell said the consolidation of the ports would improve efficiency and remove red tape.

However, opposition minister for transport Ken Travers said the announcement was a “joke” because the government would not show the review to the public.

“The release shows no word that identifies benefits for regional ports,” he said.

South West MLC Adele Farina has also expressed concern, saying the result of the Southern Ports Authority would “diminish Bunbury representation” and would not represent Bunbury’s best interests.

Mr Buswell said there would be community representatives who would be consulted about changes on the Bunbury Port.

Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance chief executive Matt Granger said the Bunbury Port was well managed and locally engaged with the community.

“We can understand the drive for consolidation of ports in the North West, but we query the rationale for joining the dispersed ports of Bunbury, Albany and Esperance,” he said.

The Bunbury Port has a rich history, dating back to 1803 when French explorer first named the port Port Leschenault after botanist John Claude Baptiste Leschenault.

The port was then renamed in 1836 after Lieutenant Henry William St. Pierre Bunbury.

In 2009 The Bunbury Port Authority celebrated its 100-year anniversary of the Bunbury Harbour Board.

Mr Smith who is a former board member of the Port Authority said the authority had done a tremendous job over the years.

“It’s sad that the 100-year-old organisation will no longer exist,” he said.

Changes under the new plan

> The new Southern Ports Authority will consist of Bunbury, Albany and Esperance.

> The authority will be implemented in 2014.

> The plans will not affect the port’s expansion plans according to Mr Buswell.

> The location for the new Southern Port Authority is not known.

> The report on the WA ports is not available to the public due to sensitive commercial information.

> The Bunbury Port Authority said they fully approve of the announcement to consolidate with Albany and Esperance.