❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on the status of closed rail lines, specifically regarding their maintenance and the government's agreement with the rail lease holder. The Minister's response details the history of the Tier 3 line closures and tables a relevant media statement.
AnsweredQoN 859Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Minister to the answer provided for Question on Notice 619, and ask: (a) Of the lines listed in answer 619 (a), which ones are officially closed and are not kept on care and maintenance; (b) Of the lines listed in answer 619 (a), which are not being used but are still on care and maintenance; (c) Can the Minister provide the dates and relevant communication from the rail lease holder showing when the government was notified of the decision to cease using each of those lines; and (d) Can the Minister provide official documents showing the government's agreement with the rail lease holder for those lines to be closed, and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 October 2023
Responded by
Minister for Transport
Response time
9 days
(a)-(b) All rail lines listed are officially closed and kept on care and maintenance. However, significant work would be required to return any of these lines to service.
(c) The Strategic Grain Network Committee Report was first published in December 2009.
On 9 July 2010, the Barnett Liberal-National Government and Brookfield Rail agreed to cease operations on Tier 3 lines, after which these lines were progressively closed with no further investment towards rail line upgrades.
Those parties agreed that the Tier 3 lines would then be placed under care and maintenance, which occurred on the 30 June 2014.
(d) I table a media statement of 28 July 2011 from the former Liberal-National Government, where then-Transport Minister Troy Buswell stated “there isn't a compelling case for the retention of the Tier 3 lines.”
(c) The Strategic Grain Network Committee Report was first published in December 2009.
On 9 July 2010, the Barnett Liberal-National Government and Brookfield Rail agreed to cease operations on Tier 3 lines, after which these lines were progressively closed with no further investment towards rail line upgrades.
Those parties agreed that the Tier 3 lines would then be placed under care and maintenance, which occurred on the 30 June 2014.
(d) I table a media statement of 28 July 2011 from the former Liberal-National Government, where then-Transport Minister Troy Buswell stated “there isn't a compelling case for the retention of the Tier 3 lines.”
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