Dr. Steve Thomas questions the progress and economic viability of the Greenbushes-Bunbury railway line recommissioning study, particularly in light of recent lithium project scale-backs. The Minister confirms the study is ongoing and considering these factors.

AnsweredQoN 883Legislative Council
Asked
15 August 2024
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

GREENBUSHES–BUNBURY RAIL LINE —
FEASIBILITY STUDY
883. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to my questions without
notice 748 and 856 of August 2023 about the $6.6 million Talison Lithium Pty
Ltd and WA state government study into recommissioning the Greenbushes–Bunbury
railway line. I ask the following as at 12 August 2024.
(1) What is the status and the
completion timeline for the aforementioned study?
(2) How much of the jointly funded
$6.6 million recommissioning study budget has been acquitted?
(3) Given the
recent business-based decision by Albemarle to scale back Kemerton construction
thanks to lower lithium prices, what impact and flow-on effects will be
specifically factored into the study to determine the economic viability of
recommissioning the Greenbushes to Bunbury line?
(4) How have the
recent scale backs of both Talison Lithium in Greenbushes and Albemarle in
Kemerton affected the viability of potentially reopening the line?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank
the member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been
provided to me by the Minister for Regional Development.
(1) The study is in progress, with
an expected completion time of February 2025.
(2) Project acquittal occurs at the
end of the project and the study is in progress.
(3) The study is
considering product flow to Kwinana, Kemerton and Bunbury port through logistic
analysis.
(4) These factors are actively
being considered in the study.

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