❓ Mr. Abetz asks for an update on the Kent Street Weir upgrade, which received $4.8 million in funding. The Minister explains the weir's importance to the Canning River's ecosystem and pedestrian access.
AnsweredQoN 355Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET 2014–15 — KENT STREET
WEIR UPGRADE
355. Mr P. ABETZ to the Minister for
Water:
I was delighted to read that Kent Street weir will be
upgraded as part of the commitments made in the state budget. Would the
minister please provide an update —
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, I call you to order for the first time. Member for
Southern River, will you start again, please.
Mr P. ABETZ : I was
delighted to read that Kent Street weir will be upgraded as part of the
commitments made in the state budget. Would the minister please provide an
update on this important piece of infrastructure?
WEIR UPGRADE
355. Mr P. ABETZ to the Minister for
Water:
I was delighted to read that Kent Street weir will be
upgraded as part of the commitments made in the state budget. Would the
minister please provide an update —
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, I call you to order for the first time. Member for
Southern River, will you start again, please.
Mr P. ABETZ : I was
delighted to read that Kent Street weir will be upgraded as part of the
commitments made in the state budget. Would the minister please provide an
update on this important piece of infrastructure?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. He is exactly right.
There was an announcement in this year's state budget from the
Department of Water of $4.8 million over two years to invest into Kent Street
weir. For members who are not aware, Kent Street weir was built in 1926, and it
was heritage listed in 2012.
Ms M.M. Quirk : You
should be knocking it down, then!
Ms M.J. DAVIES : It
is a very important piece of infrastructure, member, and I am about to tell
members why it is an important piece of infrastructure. The weir assists us in
managing the movement of fresh and brackish water in the Canning River. It is
very important to the environment of the upstream part of the Canning River,
both on land and in the water. In the 88 years that the weir has been in place,
the vegetation and wildlife in the upstream have changed from saline to fresh
water. So it is very important that we protect that environment, otherwise
there could be catastrophic circumstances and a loss of amenity to everybody
who uses and visits that part of the river. In addition, the City of Canning
has built a footbridge over the top of the weir, and I know that many people
use that footbridge to access both sides of the Canning River. That walkway
extends for about six kilometres. I am told that it is quite a picturesque and
beautiful place to visit. I have not visited it myself.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : It
is very picturesque.
Ms M.J. DAVIES :
Excellent. So it is pretty important that we look after it. Also, we do not
want to put people in danger if they are accessing the footbridge. Ensuring the
safety of pedestrians and cyclists alike is very important, so we are investing
$4.8 million over two years to make sure we have refurbished and upgraded the
weir. We will restore it to full working order and continue to protect that
upstream environment.
I understand that following the completion of the works, the
City of Canning will also reinstate pedestrian access so we can continue to enjoy
that very picturesque part of the river. It is great news for the local
community. I have had some very good feedback since the announcement was made
in the state budget and we are very proud to support not only a significant
piece of heritage, but also a very important part of our environment—the
Canning River.
There was an announcement in this year's state budget from the
Department of Water of $4.8 million over two years to invest into Kent Street
weir. For members who are not aware, Kent Street weir was built in 1926, and it
was heritage listed in 2012.
Ms M.M. Quirk : You
should be knocking it down, then!
Ms M.J. DAVIES : It
is a very important piece of infrastructure, member, and I am about to tell
members why it is an important piece of infrastructure. The weir assists us in
managing the movement of fresh and brackish water in the Canning River. It is
very important to the environment of the upstream part of the Canning River,
both on land and in the water. In the 88 years that the weir has been in place,
the vegetation and wildlife in the upstream have changed from saline to fresh
water. So it is very important that we protect that environment, otherwise
there could be catastrophic circumstances and a loss of amenity to everybody
who uses and visits that part of the river. In addition, the City of Canning
has built a footbridge over the top of the weir, and I know that many people
use that footbridge to access both sides of the Canning River. That walkway
extends for about six kilometres. I am told that it is quite a picturesque and
beautiful place to visit. I have not visited it myself.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : It
is very picturesque.
Ms M.J. DAVIES :
Excellent. So it is pretty important that we look after it. Also, we do not
want to put people in danger if they are accessing the footbridge. Ensuring the
safety of pedestrians and cyclists alike is very important, so we are investing
$4.8 million over two years to make sure we have refurbished and upgraded the
weir. We will restore it to full working order and continue to protect that
upstream environment.
I understand that following the completion of the works, the
City of Canning will also reinstate pedestrian access so we can continue to enjoy
that very picturesque part of the river. It is great news for the local
community. I have had some very good feedback since the announcement was made
in the state budget and we are very proud to support not only a significant
piece of heritage, but also a very important part of our environment—the
Canning River.
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