❓ The Premier outlines the Liberal-National government's actions to support Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun after the BHP closure, including financial assistance, infrastructure projects, and tourism initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 853Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RAVENSTHORPE AND HOPETOUN — GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Can the Premier please outline to the house the actions of the Liberal-National government to encourage tourism and to boost businesses in Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun following the BHP closure earlier in January? Mr C.J. BARNETT
Can the Premier please outline to the house the actions of the Liberal-National government to encourage tourism and to boost businesses in Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun following the BHP closure earlier in January? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question. Ravensthorpe has had a year that that community will never forget. On 20 January this year, BHP shutdown its Ravensthorpe nickel operation and some 1 500 jobs were lost. I guess that even at a national level that was the most significant job losses associated with the so-called global financial crisis. This government took action quickly to try to deal with that situation. I was pleased to be in Ravensthorpe last Friday to take part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mt Caitlin lithium mine. It is not a big project by Western Australian standards—about $86 million of expenditure—but it will provide about 100 jobs in construction and operation. Lithium is primarily used in long-life batteries for vehicles, but also computers, phones and the like. That was some good news for Ravensthorpe, but I just want to place on the record my thanks to my fellow ministers for the work that they have done in that area. It was heartening to have members of the community come up and acknowledge that work when I was in Ravensthorpe on Friday. Members will recall that we took immediate action to maintain public services when the nickel project closed down. We allocated $5 million, which was administered by the Minister for Regional Development, in assistance packages, financial advice and support for the shire so that it could maintain its services. In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question. Ravensthorpe has had a year that that community will never forget. On 20 January this year, BHP shutdown its Ravensthorpe nickel operation and some 1 500 jobs were lost. I guess that even at a national level that was the most significant job losses associated with the so-called global financial crisis. This government took action quickly to try to deal with that situation. I was pleased to be in Ravensthorpe last Friday to take part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mt Caitlin lithium mine. It is not a big project by Western Australian standards—about $86 million of expenditure—but it will provide about 100 jobs in construction and operation. Lithium is primarily used in long-life batteries for vehicles, but also computers, phones and the like. That was some good news for Ravensthorpe, but I just want to place on the record my thanks to my fellow ministers for the work that they have done in that area. It was heartening to have members of the community come up and acknowledge that work when I was in Ravensthorpe on Friday. Members will recall that we took immediate action to maintain public services when the nickel project closed down. We allocated $5 million, which was administered by the Minister for Regional Development, in assistance packages, financial advice and support for the shire so that it could maintain its services. In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question. Ravensthorpe has had a year that that community will never forget. On 20 January this year, BHP shutdown its Ravensthorpe nickel operation and some 1 500 jobs were lost. I guess that even at a national level that was the most significant job losses associated with the so-called global financial crisis. This government took action quickly to try to deal with that situation. I was pleased to be in Ravensthorpe last Friday to take part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mt Caitlin lithium mine. It is not a big project by Western Australian standards—about $86 million of expenditure—but it will provide about 100 jobs in construction and operation. Lithium is primarily used in long-life batteries for vehicles, but also computers, phones and the like. That was some good news for Ravensthorpe, but I just want to place on the record my thanks to my fellow ministers for the work that they have done in that area. It was heartening to have members of the community come up and acknowledge that work when I was in Ravensthorpe on Friday. Members will recall that we took immediate action to maintain public services when the nickel project closed down. We allocated $5 million, which was administered by the Minister for Regional Development, in assistance packages, financial advice and support for the shire so that it could maintain its services. In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
That was some good news for Ravensthorpe, but I just want to place on the record my thanks to my fellow ministers for the work that they have done in that area. It was heartening to have members of the community come up and acknowledge that work when I was in Ravensthorpe on Friday. Members will recall that we took immediate action to maintain public services when the nickel project closed down. We allocated $5 million, which was administered by the Minister for Regional Development, in assistance packages, financial advice and support for the shire so that it could maintain its services. In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question. Ravensthorpe has had a year that that community will never forget. On 20 January this year, BHP shutdown its Ravensthorpe nickel operation and some 1 500 jobs were lost. I guess that even at a national level that was the most significant job losses associated with the so-called global financial crisis. This government took action quickly to try to deal with that situation. I was pleased to be in Ravensthorpe last Friday to take part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mt Caitlin lithium mine. It is not a big project by Western Australian standards—about $86 million of expenditure—but it will provide about 100 jobs in construction and operation. Lithium is primarily used in long-life batteries for vehicles, but also computers, phones and the like. That was some good news for Ravensthorpe, but I just want to place on the record my thanks to my fellow ministers for the work that they have done in that area. It was heartening to have members of the community come up and acknowledge that work when I was in Ravensthorpe on Friday. Members will recall that we took immediate action to maintain public services when the nickel project closed down. We allocated $5 million, which was administered by the Minister for Regional Development, in assistance packages, financial advice and support for the shire so that it could maintain its services. In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question. Ravensthorpe has had a year that that community will never forget. On 20 January this year, BHP shutdown its Ravensthorpe nickel operation and some 1 500 jobs were lost. I guess that even at a national level that was the most significant job losses associated with the so-called global financial crisis. This government took action quickly to try to deal with that situation. I was pleased to be in Ravensthorpe last Friday to take part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mt Caitlin lithium mine. It is not a big project by Western Australian standards—about $86 million of expenditure—but it will provide about 100 jobs in construction and operation. Lithium is primarily used in long-life batteries for vehicles, but also computers, phones and the like. That was some good news for Ravensthorpe, but I just want to place on the record my thanks to my fellow ministers for the work that they have done in that area. It was heartening to have members of the community come up and acknowledge that work when I was in Ravensthorpe on Friday. Members will recall that we took immediate action to maintain public services when the nickel project closed down. We allocated $5 million, which was administered by the Minister for Regional Development, in assistance packages, financial advice and support for the shire so that it could maintain its services. In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
That was some good news for Ravensthorpe, but I just want to place on the record my thanks to my fellow ministers for the work that they have done in that area. It was heartening to have members of the community come up and acknowledge that work when I was in Ravensthorpe on Friday. Members will recall that we took immediate action to maintain public services when the nickel project closed down. We allocated $5 million, which was administered by the Minister for Regional Development, in assistance packages, financial advice and support for the shire so that it could maintain its services. In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
In other areas, such as education and health, we continue to maintain employment and services. A couple of weeks ago, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Energy announced a $3 million project to build a new independent power supply for Ravensthorpe, and that is already having an effect on the expansion plans of businesses in the town and the movement into Ravensthorpe of contractors and the like, who can now undertake work with a reliable power supply. On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
On Friday, I also announced that the state government would proceed, through Main Roads and local contractors, with building a sealed road of some 15 kilometres. Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : Dieback spreader! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is a 15-kilometre sealed road along an existing track into the Fitzgerald River National Park. Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : It’s highly sensitive land! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is interesting; I flew over the national park on the way back, and there are tracks all over it. If dieback is being spread, it is being spread by people driving four-wheel drives, motorbikes and whatever else. By putting in place 15 kilometres of sealed road, which will probably be cordoned off from the park and have designated parking and camping areas and facilities, the government will give the public of Western Australia, particularly tourists, an opportunity to visit that national park. Hopefully the commonwealth government will come forward with its $20 million to allow the building of a similar stretch of road from Bremer Bay on the western side. It is then intended to have a 40-kilometre hiking trail connecting the two, which will be great for ecotourism. I am sure that the member for Eyre will be able to run the length of the trail; others will walk it! I think it is probably the most spectacular part of the Western Australian coast outside the Kimberley. We will now be able to use that great national park, and it will be well managed and well protected. Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr P.B. Watson : Come to Albany! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Albany needs to get out more, and go and look at the Fitzgerald River National Park! I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
I thank the ministers involved; the individual ministers have done an outstanding job in supporting that community.
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