Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1756

❓ Question regarding the impact of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure on agricultural exporters, particularly oat growers, focusing on freight access constraints, cost increases, and potential market losses. The Minister's response indicates limited disruption and ongoing monitoring.

AnsweredQoN 1756Legislative Assembly

Asked

17 February 2026

Member

Mr Lachlan Hunter

Portfolio

Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge and I ask: (a) When was the Minister first advised of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure and its potential impact on agricultural exporters; (b) What advice did the Minister receive regarding the effect of the bridge closure on containerised agricultural exports; (c) Did the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) undertake any assessment of impacts on grain exporters: (i) if so, please table that assessment; and (ii) if not, why was no assessment undertaken; (d) Has the Minister received representations from Demeter Grains regarding freight access constraints: (i) On what date were those representations received; and (ii) What response was provided by the Minister or the Department; (e) Has the Minister met with Demeter Grains or other containerised grain exporters to discuss these impacts: (i) if not, why not; (f) Is the Minister aware that Demeter Grains exports approximately one-third of Western Australia’s oat crop; (g) Is the Minister aware that oats must be exported predominantly in 40-foot containers due to bulk density and cost structures; (h) Has the Minister received advice that restricting 40/40 container combinations materially increases per-tonne export costs; (i) What estimate has been made of the cost increase per tonne for oats as a result of current freight restrictions; (j) Has the Minister assessed the impact of these cost increases on farm-gate returns for WA oat growers: (i) if so, please provide that assessment; and (ii) if not, why has this not been assessed; (k) Has the Minister received advice that current freight restrictions are leading to missed export sailings; (l) How many agricultural export containers have missed sailings as a result of these restrictions; (m) What is the estimated financial loss to exporters arising from missed sailings; (n) Has the Minister assessed the risk of WA exporters losing long-term contracts or market share due to reliability issues: (i) if so, what conclusions were reached; (o) Is the Minister aware that WA produced a record oat crop in the 2025-26 season; (p) Has the Minister assessed whether current freight access arrangements can handle the record crop received from this harvest: (i) if so, what capacity shortfall has been identified; and (ii) if not, why has no harvest readiness assessment been undertaken; (q) Has the Minister considered the downstream impact on growers if exporters cannot move product in a timely manner; (r) What advice has the Minister received on potential flow-on impacts to on-farm storage, cash flow and receival logistics; (s) Has the Minister consulted with the Minister for Transport regarding temporary freight access measures to protect agricultural exports: (i) On what dates did those consultations occur; and (ii) What position has the Minister advocated for on behalf of agricultural exporters; (t) Has the Minister supported a temporary trial of PBS-approved 40/40 container combinations during the bridge closure: (i) If not, why not; (u) What alternative solutions has the Minister proposed to mitigate impacts on agricultural exporters; (v) Has the Minister assessed the feasibility of rail as a substitute for road transport for containerised grain exports; (w) Is the Minister aware that many packing facilities and exporter sites sit outside rail catchments; (x) Has the Minister been advised that rail capacity is already constrained; (y) Has the Minister assessed the impact of additional truck movements on regional road safety and maintenance; (z) What modelling has been done on increased heavy vehicle movements arising from current restrictions; (aa) Has the Minister assessed the environmental impact of increased truck movements, including emissions; (bb) Is the Minister aware that current restrictions may increase, rather than decrease, congestion and road wear; (cc) Has the Minister received advice that exporters are being forced to reposition empty containers inefficiently due to access constraints; (dd) What cost impact does this have on exporters; (ee) Has the Minister consulted with CBH or other bulk handlers regarding broader grain logistics risks; (ff) Has the Minister assessed whether current freight policies disadvantage WA growers compared to competitors in other states; (gg) What advice has been received on WA’s international competitiveness as a result of these decisions; (hh) Has the Minister raised these concerns with Cabinet: (i) If so, what outcome was achieved; and (ii) If not, why not; (ii) Does the Minister accept that failure to act risks direct financial harm to WA farmers; (jj) Does the Minister accept that exporters cannot absorb these costs indefinitely; (kk) What assurance can the Minister give growers that their interests are being actively protected; (ll) Will the Minister publicly support urgent, temporary freight access reforms during the bridge closure: (i) If not, why not; (mm) Will the Minister commit to working with industry to implement a practical, time-limited solution; (nn) What timeline does the Minister propose for resolving these issues; (oo) Will the Minister meet with affected growers and exporters before the next harvest cycle; (pp) Has the Minister requested updated advice on freight capacity post-bridge closure: (i) If not, will the Minister do so now; and (qq) Does the Minister accept that inaction on this issue places WA agriculture at unnecessary risk?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

17 March 2026

Responded by

Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food

Response time

9 days

Monitoring indicates limited disruption to traffic flows to and from the port. No major congestion has been observed on freight routes, despite an increase in vehicle numbers. Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure and Main Roads will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the closure and work with industry to respond to emerging issues where possible.

View on Parliament of WA