❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the Minister for Tourism on the progress of Rottnest Island's renewable energy infrastructure upgrades, finding significant delays. The Minister acknowledges delays due to procurement issues and ongoing statutory approvals.
AnsweredQoN 874Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Rottnest Island—Electricity infrastructure
874. Hon Dr Brad Pettitt to the minister representing the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the media
statement from 29 April 2022, "Rottnest Island set to go green and run off
75 per cent renewables".
(1) Has the WA Labor government completed the
following commitments:
(a) a doubling of the solar generation capacity at
the existing solar farm near the airport;
(b) the replacement of the existing wind turbine
generator on Mount Herschel with two smaller contemporary units;
(c) the installation of a utility-scale battery
storage solution; and
(d) an upgrade to the power distribution network?
(2) If no to (1)(a)-(d), why not, and what is the
current status of each?
874. Hon Dr Brad Pettitt to the minister representing the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the media
statement from 29 April 2022, "Rottnest Island set to go green and run off
75 per cent renewables".
(1) Has the WA Labor government completed the
following commitments:
(a) a doubling of the solar generation capacity at
the existing solar farm near the airport;
(b) the replacement of the existing wind turbine
generator on Mount Herschel with two smaller contemporary units;
(c) the installation of a utility-scale battery
storage solution; and
(d) an upgrade to the power distribution network?
(2) If no to (1)(a)-(d), why not, and what is the
current status of each?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Tourism.
(1) (a)–(c) No.
(d) Partially.
(2) As per the 2025–26 state budget papers,
the electricity infrastructure upgrade capital funding is forecast to be fully
expensed by 2028–29. Master planning for the hybrid electrical
generation system has been completed. Priority power distribution network upgrades
have commenced and projects completed include the Geordie Bay low-voltage
network, the Longreach Bay low-voltage network, the Fays Bay low-voltage
network, Digby Drive low-voltage network, upgrades to the network to supply The
Lodge Wadjemup, and upgrades to support the development of worker
accommodation.
Network upgrades have enabled
the removal of gas appliances from Rottnest Island Authority's visitor
accommodation. In December 2024, the Rottnest Island Authority issued a request
for proposal for the upgrade of the existing hybrid
electrical generation system and subsequent operation and maintenance services
based on an engineer, procure and construct procurement model. Unfortunately, this
procurement process did not identify a suitable vendor, and RIA has since
approached the market with an alternative procurement strategy.
The hybrid electrical generation
system will occupy several sites and require statutory approvals to be in place
prior to construction. Multiple site studies have been undertaken in relation
to statutory approvals including flora and fauna, heritage assessment, cultural
assessment, aviation, noise and visual impacts.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Tourism.
(1) (a)–(c) No.
(d) Partially.
(2) As per the 2025–26 state budget papers,
the electricity infrastructure upgrade capital funding is forecast to be fully
expensed by 2028–29. Master planning for the hybrid electrical
generation system has been completed. Priority power distribution network upgrades
have commenced and projects completed include the Geordie Bay low-voltage
network, the Longreach Bay low-voltage network, the Fays Bay low-voltage
network, Digby Drive low-voltage network, upgrades to the network to supply The
Lodge Wadjemup, and upgrades to support the development of worker
accommodation.
Network upgrades have enabled
the removal of gas appliances from Rottnest Island Authority's visitor
accommodation. In December 2024, the Rottnest Island Authority issued a request
for proposal for the upgrade of the existing hybrid
electrical generation system and subsequent operation and maintenance services
based on an engineer, procure and construct procurement model. Unfortunately, this
procurement process did not identify a suitable vendor, and RIA has since
approached the market with an alternative procurement strategy.
The hybrid electrical generation
system will occupy several sites and require statutory approvals to be in place
prior to construction. Multiple site studies have been undertaken in relation
to statutory approvals including flora and fauna, heritage assessment, cultural
assessment, aviation, noise and visual impacts.
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