❓ Opposition questions Premier about potential disruptions from Armadale line shutdown, referencing Bayswater station issues and Auditor General's report. Premier defends Metronet, highlighting long-term benefits and minimisation of short-term disruption.
AnsweredQoN 767Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BAYSWATER TRAIN STATION —
BUSINESS DISRUPTION
767. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I refer to the huge disruption
caused by the Bayswater train station's much-delayed and chaotic
construction that harmed local businesses and residents and I note the taxpayer
dollars expended on compensation.
A government member interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order!
Mr R.S. LOVE : With the
shutdown of the Armadale line next month, how can Western Australian residents
and small businesses be assured that this issue will not be replicated along
the Armadale line over the many months of shutdown, especially in view of the
cost and time blowouts identified in the recent Western Australian Auditor
General's report: Transparency report: Major projects ?
BUSINESS DISRUPTION
767. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I refer to the huge disruption
caused by the Bayswater train station's much-delayed and chaotic
construction that harmed local businesses and residents and I note the taxpayer
dollars expended on compensation.
A government member interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order!
Mr R.S. LOVE : With the
shutdown of the Armadale line next month, how can Western Australian residents
and small businesses be assured that this issue will not be replicated along
the Armadale line over the many months of shutdown, especially in view of the
cost and time blowouts identified in the recent Western Australian Auditor
General's report: Transparency report: Major projects ?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the
Opposition for the question. He refers to the biggest transformation in the
public transport system in this state's history. Metronet is
transformational in relation to what it will do to revolutionise public
transport in Western Australia. It will create a significant injection to
economic stimulus through the efficient movement of the population. It will
provide an opportunity for people in the outer suburbs of Perth to be connected
by a fast train system, something that as a resident of Kwinana I am
particularly keen on. It will also provide an opportunity
to bring Western Australia and Perth into the twentieth century when it comes
to public transport. I grew up in this state. I am Perth born and bred.
I remember when those opposite shut down the train line permanently between
Perth and Fremantle. I remember their policies when it came to public transport
and trains in particular. We will be witnessing a pause in the train services
between Armadale and Perth for a period of time while we go about the biggest
transformation of that particular line. The first thing that people will see
along those lines is the removal of level crossings right across that area.
Mr W.J. Johnston : There's
one on Wharf Street. There are seven of them.
Mr R.H. COOK : Is that in the
member's electorate alone?
Mr W.J. Johnston : There are
three in my electorate.
Mr R.H. COOK : There are
seven level crossings. People and communities that have been divided for the
best part of a century by virtue of that train line —
Mr W.J. Johnston : It's
not seven. It's nine.
Mr R.H. COOK : It is nine. I have been corrected by the
helpful interjections of the member for Cannington. Those communities that have
been divided for many years will suddenly be able to seamlessly move about
their communities. That is the first thing
they will feel. The second thing they will feel is the excitement as the upper
level of the train tracks start to evolve. Already, the Minister for
Transport has reported significant progress in terms of the gantries and the
pillars that will suspend —
Mr W.J. Johnston : The
L-beams.
Mr R.H. COOK : The
manufacturing of the L-beams is already significantly advanced. They are ready
to go in the moment we have that
opportunity. It is a regrettable disruption but it is an important one. We know
that Metronet changes lives. It has significantly changed the lives of
the people in my community of Kwinana. People who previously would have
experienced a significantly long commute by bus or car are now seamlessly
connected to the city via a fast moving, clean and safe train service. This is
a huge opportunity along that line to upgrade not only the tracks, but also the
communities and stations. It is an opportunity that will significantly improve
the lives of the small business owners along that route. I think that everyone
will see the benefit of that.
I want to talk briefly, if I may—this
is a bit self-indulgent. Recently I was going to see a friend over lunch in
Perth. I went to get on the train in Wellard and they explained to me that the
train was interrupted between Aubin Grove and the city. I thought ''Goodness
me! This is going to take forever.'' I texted my friend to say that I was
going to be late and that the train lines were being maintained because they
had replacement buses. My friend said that that was okay, that they were
running a bit early and they would sit and wait for me. I got to Aubin Grove
train station, I got on a train replacement
bus and I found myself sitting in the restaurant and waiting for my friend as a
result of that express service. I want
to assure the people along the Armadale line that although they will have train
replacement buses in the short term, the coordination of those buses,
their scheduling, their route configuration, and their express service will
minimise the disruption to their lives as part of their commute. It is an
unfortunate disruption but an important one as we significantly transform
public transport in Western Australia.
Opposition for the question. He refers to the biggest transformation in the
public transport system in this state's history. Metronet is
transformational in relation to what it will do to revolutionise public
transport in Western Australia. It will create a significant injection to
economic stimulus through the efficient movement of the population. It will
provide an opportunity for people in the outer suburbs of Perth to be connected
by a fast train system, something that as a resident of Kwinana I am
particularly keen on. It will also provide an opportunity
to bring Western Australia and Perth into the twentieth century when it comes
to public transport. I grew up in this state. I am Perth born and bred.
I remember when those opposite shut down the train line permanently between
Perth and Fremantle. I remember their policies when it came to public transport
and trains in particular. We will be witnessing a pause in the train services
between Armadale and Perth for a period of time while we go about the biggest
transformation of that particular line. The first thing that people will see
along those lines is the removal of level crossings right across that area.
Mr W.J. Johnston : There's
one on Wharf Street. There are seven of them.
Mr R.H. COOK : Is that in the
member's electorate alone?
Mr W.J. Johnston : There are
three in my electorate.
Mr R.H. COOK : There are
seven level crossings. People and communities that have been divided for the
best part of a century by virtue of that train line —
Mr W.J. Johnston : It's
not seven. It's nine.
Mr R.H. COOK : It is nine. I have been corrected by the
helpful interjections of the member for Cannington. Those communities that have
been divided for many years will suddenly be able to seamlessly move about
their communities. That is the first thing
they will feel. The second thing they will feel is the excitement as the upper
level of the train tracks start to evolve. Already, the Minister for
Transport has reported significant progress in terms of the gantries and the
pillars that will suspend —
Mr W.J. Johnston : The
L-beams.
Mr R.H. COOK : The
manufacturing of the L-beams is already significantly advanced. They are ready
to go in the moment we have that
opportunity. It is a regrettable disruption but it is an important one. We know
that Metronet changes lives. It has significantly changed the lives of
the people in my community of Kwinana. People who previously would have
experienced a significantly long commute by bus or car are now seamlessly
connected to the city via a fast moving, clean and safe train service. This is
a huge opportunity along that line to upgrade not only the tracks, but also the
communities and stations. It is an opportunity that will significantly improve
the lives of the small business owners along that route. I think that everyone
will see the benefit of that.
I want to talk briefly, if I may—this
is a bit self-indulgent. Recently I was going to see a friend over lunch in
Perth. I went to get on the train in Wellard and they explained to me that the
train was interrupted between Aubin Grove and the city. I thought ''Goodness
me! This is going to take forever.'' I texted my friend to say that I was
going to be late and that the train lines were being maintained because they
had replacement buses. My friend said that that was okay, that they were
running a bit early and they would sit and wait for me. I got to Aubin Grove
train station, I got on a train replacement
bus and I found myself sitting in the restaurant and waiting for my friend as a
result of that express service. I want
to assure the people along the Armadale line that although they will have train
replacement buses in the short term, the coordination of those buses,
their scheduling, their route configuration, and their express service will
minimise the disruption to their lives as part of their commute. It is an
unfortunate disruption but an important one as we significantly transform
public transport in Western Australia.
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