❓ Mrs Hodson-Thomas questions the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure about a 1983 report suggesting Black Rocks as a more economical port site than Broome, and urges reconsideration before further investment in Broome. The Minister acknowledges the old report but declines to halt Broome port expansion.
AnsweredQoN 1922Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) if so, will the Minister table details of that assessment, and the conclusions made as to the most suitable location for a Kimberley port; (c) has your Department considered a report prepared in February 1983 by Australian Port Consultancies, which examined the various merits of Broome, North Head to Cape Leveque, Cape Leveque to Collier Bay, and Black Rocks in the King Sound; (d) if so, what was the Department’s evaluation of that report’s analysis that not Broome, but Black Rocks would be a more economical port site for the Kimberley’s future, based on a number of factors such as the need for substantial dredging of the offshore shoaling seabed at Broome in order to accommodate larger vehicles, the narrow entrance at Broome, resulting in delays, larger wave periods leading to increased downtime of up to 30% and a higher incidence of cyclone activity; and (e) will the Minister make a commitment to defer any investment in port infrastructure in the Kimberley area until this research is properly reconsidered, and if necessary new research commissioned?
(c) has your Department considered a report prepared in February 1983 by Australian Port Consultancies, which examined the various merits of Broome, North Head to Cape Leveque, Cape Leveque to Collier Bay, and Black Rocks in the King Sound; (d) if so, what was the Department’s evaluation of that report’s analysis that not Broome, but Black Rocks would be a more economical port site for the Kimberley’s future, based on a number of factors such as the need for substantial dredging of the offshore shoaling seabed at Broome in order to accommodate larger vehicles, the narrow entrance at Broome, resulting in delays, larger wave periods leading to increased downtime of up to 30% and a higher incidence of cyclone activity; and (e) will the Minister make a commitment to defer any investment in port infrastructure in the Kimberley area until this research is properly reconsidered, and if necessary new research commissioned?
(d) if so, what was the Department’s evaluation of that report’s analysis that not Broome, but Black Rocks would be a more economical port site for the Kimberley’s future, based on a number of factors such as the need for substantial dredging of the offshore shoaling seabed at Broome in order to accommodate larger vehicles, the narrow entrance at Broome, resulting in delays, larger wave periods leading to increased downtime of up to 30% and a higher incidence of cyclone activity; and (e) will the Minister make a commitment to defer any investment in port infrastructure in the Kimberley area until this research is properly reconsidered, and if necessary new research commissioned?
(e) will the Minister make a commitment to defer any investment in port infrastructure in the Kimberley area until this research is properly reconsidered, and if necessary new research commissioned?
(c) Yes. (d) Given the interval of time that has elapsed since the report compiled by Australian Port Consultancies, GHD-Dwyer was produced, alternative port development in the Kimberley region would need to be reinvestigated before meaningful comment on the current validity of the conclusions of the 1983 report could be made. (e) No.
(d) Given the interval of time that has elapsed since the report compiled by Australian Port Consultancies, GHD-Dwyer was produced, alternative port development in the Kimberley region would need to be reinvestigated before meaningful comment on the current validity of the conclusions of the 1983 report could be made. (e) No.
(e) No.
(c) has your Department considered a report prepared in February 1983 by Australian Port Consultancies, which examined the various merits of Broome, North Head to Cape Leveque, Cape Leveque to Collier Bay, and Black Rocks in the King Sound; (d) if so, what was the Department’s evaluation of that report’s analysis that not Broome, but Black Rocks would be a more economical port site for the Kimberley’s future, based on a number of factors such as the need for substantial dredging of the offshore shoaling seabed at Broome in order to accommodate larger vehicles, the narrow entrance at Broome, resulting in delays, larger wave periods leading to increased downtime of up to 30% and a higher incidence of cyclone activity; and (e) will the Minister make a commitment to defer any investment in port infrastructure in the Kimberley area until this research is properly reconsidered, and if necessary new research commissioned?
(d) if so, what was the Department’s evaluation of that report’s analysis that not Broome, but Black Rocks would be a more economical port site for the Kimberley’s future, based on a number of factors such as the need for substantial dredging of the offshore shoaling seabed at Broome in order to accommodate larger vehicles, the narrow entrance at Broome, resulting in delays, larger wave periods leading to increased downtime of up to 30% and a higher incidence of cyclone activity; and (e) will the Minister make a commitment to defer any investment in port infrastructure in the Kimberley area until this research is properly reconsidered, and if necessary new research commissioned?
(e) will the Minister make a commitment to defer any investment in port infrastructure in the Kimberley area until this research is properly reconsidered, and if necessary new research commissioned?
(c) Yes. (d) Given the interval of time that has elapsed since the report compiled by Australian Port Consultancies, GHD-Dwyer was produced, alternative port development in the Kimberley region would need to be reinvestigated before meaningful comment on the current validity of the conclusions of the 1983 report could be made. (e) No.
(d) Given the interval of time that has elapsed since the report compiled by Australian Port Consultancies, GHD-Dwyer was produced, alternative port development in the Kimberley region would need to be reinvestigated before meaningful comment on the current validity of the conclusions of the 1983 report could be made. (e) No.
(e) No.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 October 2003
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
41 days
(a) & (b) No. The feasibility of alternative port locations to service the Kimberley area has not been examined recently because the State Government’s commitment is to fund the expansion of port facilities at Broome. The Broome Port Authority is seeking funds to expand berthing facilities at the Port to improve operational efficiency and to handle the increased demands expected as a result of projected future growth in port trade. We are very conscious of the need not to repeat the mistakes made in Geraldton when the previous government put the much needed expansion of the Geraldton Port on hold whilst pursuing the mirage of Oakagee.
(c) Yes.
(d) Given the interval of time that has elapsed since the report compiled by Australian Port Consultancies, GHD-Dwyer was produced, alternative port development in the Kimberley region would need to be reinvestigated before meaningful comment on the current validity of the conclusions of the 1983 report could be made.
(e) No.
(c) Yes.
(d) Given the interval of time that has elapsed since the report compiled by Australian Port Consultancies, GHD-Dwyer was produced, alternative port development in the Kimberley region would need to be reinvestigated before meaningful comment on the current validity of the conclusions of the 1983 report could be made.
(e) No.
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