❓ Mrs Hodson-Thomas questions the timing of the Perth city railway advisory committee's establishment and why public consultation on the southern rail link route is limited, given a route decision appears already made. The Minister defends the decision-making process and the focus on a direct route.
AnsweredQoN 495Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CITY RAILWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
I refer the minister to her media release of last week announcing the establishment of the Perth city railway advisory committee. (1) Given that a decision on the route has already been made, why has the minister only now established an advisory committee to consider options for the southern rail link? (2) Why will the minister not broaden the committee’s terms of reference to enable public and professional consultation about the preferred route for the railway through the southern suburbs? Ms MacTIERNAN
I refer the minister to her media release of last week announcing the establishment of the Perth city railway advisory committee. (1) Given that a decision on the route has already been made, why has the minister only now established an advisory committee to consider options for the southern rail link? (2) Why will the minister not broaden the committee’s terms of reference to enable public and professional consultation about the preferred route for the railway through the southern suburbs? Ms MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
(1) Given that a decision on the route has already been made, why has the minister only now established an advisory committee to consider options for the southern rail link? (2) Why will the minister not broaden the committee’s terms of reference to enable public and professional consultation about the preferred route for the railway through the southern suburbs? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
(2) Why will the minister not broaden the committee’s terms of reference to enable public and professional consultation about the preferred route for the railway through the southern suburbs? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
(1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
(1) Given that a decision on the route has already been made, why has the minister only now established an advisory committee to consider options for the southern rail link? (2) Why will the minister not broaden the committee’s terms of reference to enable public and professional consultation about the preferred route for the railway through the southern suburbs? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
(2) Why will the minister not broaden the committee’s terms of reference to enable public and professional consultation about the preferred route for the railway through the southern suburbs? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
(1)-(2) The Government made a strategic decision to take this major rail link, which will connect the south western suburbs of Rockingham and Mandurah with the city, via the most direct route. As members of the Government have repeatedly explained to the House, that decision was made to ensure that the system was capable of attracting a large number of patrons. All the evidence gathered thus far has indicated that a detour adding up to 40 per cent in travelling time would massively undermine the rail link’s effectiveness. The Government made a strategic decision to take the railway into the city down the centre of the freeway. In 1994, the previous Government decided on a route via Kenwick. Having made that decision, it engaged in a consultation process about the detail. This Government is doing exactly the same thing. A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
A number of issues have arisen during this process. None of the possible routes is perfect; each route has its negatives. This Government has canvassed up to five possible routes, and each has certain strengths and weaknesses. The Government’s preferred option has always been for the railway to go up William Street. Members on this side have acknowledged the arguments in favour of other routes. However, we believe we have it right. All the research done to date has demonstrated that a route up William Street would best serve the transport and planning objectives. If the Government’s decision is right, an independent body of the calibre established will vindicate it. If it is wrong, the Government would rather know that now. This process has been initiated to ensure that the railway goes via the best route through the centre of the city. Importantly, the rail link to Rockingham and Mandurah will be completed by 2006, and it will be the most direct and rapid route to those suburbs.
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