❓ Hon Paul Llewellyn questions the government on the operational status, integration, and funding for the Manjimup to Bunbury railway, particularly concerning the blue gum industry. The government responds with details of a previous rescue package, changes in log supply, and future plans for regulating woodchip and log haulage.
AnsweredQoN 4784Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to my question No. 139 asked last year to which there was no answer, I again ask, in relation to the Government’s commitment to the continued use of the Manjimup to Bunbury railway, and the increasing heavy haulage traffic resulting from the maturing blue gum industry -
(1) When is it expected that the Manjimup to Bunbury railway will be fully operational?
(2) What work has been undertaken to integrate the Manjimup to Bunbury railway into the blue gum plantation sector?
(3) How many of the existing railway sidings, other than Greenbushes, will be incorporated into the rail-road interfaces for handling the blue gum freight task?
(4) Who will bear the cost of upgrading the Manjimup to Bunbury railway tracks and sidings?
(5) What are the cost-sharing arrangements for those upgrades?
(1) When is it expected that the Manjimup to Bunbury railway will be fully operational?
(2) What work has been undertaken to integrate the Manjimup to Bunbury railway into the blue gum plantation sector?
(3) How many of the existing railway sidings, other than Greenbushes, will be incorporated into the rail-road interfaces for handling the blue gum freight task?
(4) Who will bear the cost of upgrading the Manjimup to Bunbury railway tracks and sidings?
(5) What are the cost-sharing arrangements for those upgrades?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 August 2007
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
97 days
(1) The government committed to a $14.45 million rescue package that involved an upgrade of the Picton to North Greenbushes section of the Manjimup railway, development of an intermodal terminal at North Greenbushes and new rail siding at the Port of Bunbury. This was dependent on completion of commercial negotiations between the private rail provider and WA Plantation Resources (WAPRES), and the security of WAPRES's log supply.
However, WAPRES log supply has been reduced because some of the native log supply is likely to be diverted to the Lignor Ltd Project that offers the prospect of better use of the timber through a value adding manufacturing process. WAPRES was also recently unsuccessful in its bid for 1.8 million tonnes of log supply.
The Government will now regulate the haulage of all woodchips and logs in the South West destined for the Port of Bunbury. Effective from 1 December this year, companies will be required to apply for a permit to transport this product by road.
This will enable us to require that a certain quantity of the product is carried by rail. It would also provide certainty for the rail provider to upgrade its infrastructure and reopen the line.
Our aim is to put 7million tonnes on rail over the next 10 years and take about 140 truck journeys off the South West highway each day.
(2) A separate funding package of $2.23 million has been allocated by MRWA for feeder road improvements in the Greenbushes area.
(3) Only the existing siding at Greenbushes was to have been incorporated in the rail-road interface for handling the blue gum freight task.
(4) Under the original proposal, the Government funding was capped and the private sector was to bear any excess costs.
(5) This would be negotiated as part of future arrangements.
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However, WAPRES log supply has been reduced because some of the native log supply is likely to be diverted to the Lignor Ltd Project that offers the prospect of better use of the timber through a value adding manufacturing process. WAPRES was also recently unsuccessful in its bid for 1.8 million tonnes of log supply.
The Government will now regulate the haulage of all woodchips and logs in the South West destined for the Port of Bunbury. Effective from 1 December this year, companies will be required to apply for a permit to transport this product by road.
This will enable us to require that a certain quantity of the product is carried by rail. It would also provide certainty for the rail provider to upgrade its infrastructure and reopen the line.
Our aim is to put 7million tonnes on rail over the next 10 years and take about 140 truck journeys off the South West highway each day.
(2) A separate funding package of $2.23 million has been allocated by MRWA for feeder road improvements in the Greenbushes area.
(3) Only the existing siding at Greenbushes was to have been incorporated in the rail-road interface for handling the blue gum freight task.
(4) Under the original proposal, the Government funding was capped and the private sector was to bear any excess costs.
(5) This would be negotiated as part of future arrangements.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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