❓ Ms. Evangel asks about the next phase of Elizabeth Quay and upcoming changes. Minister Day outlines construction progress, economic benefits, and criticizes the opposition's past proposals and current negativity towards the project.
AnsweredQoN 559Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELIZABETH QUAY
559. Ms E. EVANGEL to the Minister for Planning:
Before I ask my question, I acknowledge the Carey Baptist
College students in the gallery today. They are in the member for Darling Range's
electorate. Welcome.
(1) Can the minister please tell us about the next phase of
Elizabeth Quay that was announced today?
(2) Can the minister update the house on the changes we will
see in the area over the coming two years?
559. Ms E. EVANGEL to the Minister for Planning:
Before I ask my question, I acknowledge the Carey Baptist
College students in the gallery today. They are in the member for Darling Range's
electorate. Welcome.
(1) Can the minister please tell us about the next phase of
Elizabeth Quay that was announced today?
(2) Can the minister update the house on the changes we will
see in the area over the coming two years?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the question. I know
she has a strong interest in this project as it is —
Ms
M.M. Quirk : Have you paid out the Grand Palace Restaurant yet?
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I know that that was a very famous Chinese
restaurant but you can put that question at a later time. I call you to order
for the first time.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : This is one of the major city-transforming projects in the
electorate of Perth. It has been talked about and proposed and various plans
have been put forward over the past two or three decades. Since we came into
government in 2008, we have been very keen to ensure that projects such as
Elizabeth Quay, Perth City Link and other major projects are not only planned
and announced, but also constructed, delivered and completed. This morning I
was very pleased to attend another very significant stage in the construction
of the Elizabeth Quay project; that is, the commencement of the construction of
the inlet itself. That is being achieved through a bund or wall being
constructed from the shoreline out into the river. It will comprise limestone
and also granite in the middle section. It will enable the area to be isolated
from the Swan River so that the excavation of the inlet can occur and the walls
around the inlet and other structures can be constructed. Approximately 27 000
cubic metres of limestone and granite will be used as part of this construction
and it will take about six months. The wall or the bund will be about two
metres above the river level. As I said, it is a very substantial step forward
in this project, which we expect to deliver about $2.2 billion in private
sector investment. About 1 600 jobs will be created directly and indirectly
through the construction project over the next two years. About 10 000 people
will ultimately work in the precinct, and we expect about four million visits
from people each year. It will be a very vibrant and active precinct.
The approach of the government on
this project has been in direct contrast to that of the opposition. As with
many projects, the opposition has been very good at making announcements. It
did that when in government with the so-called ''Dubai on Swan''
proposal, which was launched with a big fanfare in early 2008. After we came
into government, the Leader of the Opposition, when he was shadow Minister for
Planning, I think, criticised us for slightly downscaling the project. He said
it would become boring, or something to that effect. He had a complete change
of heart, particularly during the recent election campaign when he came out and
supported a half-baked, very boring alternative. That was one of the major
turning points in the election campaign. The electors of the electorate of
Perth certainly expressed their view about the alternatives available—that
being delivered by the government and that proposed by the opposition. There
was a change in the member for Perth. To some extent, the previous member for
Perth was hung out to dry on some aspects. We are delighted that there was a
change in representation. I also note that the opposition—for example,
the member for Cannington—has recently described this project as a
smelly inlet that will end up being a sludge pool.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
That's what your professional advice has told you. Your own department
said that.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : Not at all. We will see in two years' time—when
the public works are completed, when the inlet is constructed, when the
boardwalks, park areas, island, children's playground, kiosks and so on
are built and when people will be able to visit and get a coffee, take their
families there, walk and cycle around the area and partake in a range of
activities—whether the member for Cannington is right or whether this
government is right.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr J.H.D. DAY : The
opposition has already —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, member for Girrawheen. Minister, have you finished?
Mr J.H.D. DAY :
Almost, Mr Speaker. I have no doubt this project will end up like a number of
other projects in Western Australia that were contentious when planned, such as
Hillarys marina, which is now a vibrant and very well-utilised precinct. I have
no doubt Elizabeth Quay will be the same.
she has a strong interest in this project as it is —
Ms
M.M. Quirk : Have you paid out the Grand Palace Restaurant yet?
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I know that that was a very famous Chinese
restaurant but you can put that question at a later time. I call you to order
for the first time.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : This is one of the major city-transforming projects in the
electorate of Perth. It has been talked about and proposed and various plans
have been put forward over the past two or three decades. Since we came into
government in 2008, we have been very keen to ensure that projects such as
Elizabeth Quay, Perth City Link and other major projects are not only planned
and announced, but also constructed, delivered and completed. This morning I
was very pleased to attend another very significant stage in the construction
of the Elizabeth Quay project; that is, the commencement of the construction of
the inlet itself. That is being achieved through a bund or wall being
constructed from the shoreline out into the river. It will comprise limestone
and also granite in the middle section. It will enable the area to be isolated
from the Swan River so that the excavation of the inlet can occur and the walls
around the inlet and other structures can be constructed. Approximately 27 000
cubic metres of limestone and granite will be used as part of this construction
and it will take about six months. The wall or the bund will be about two
metres above the river level. As I said, it is a very substantial step forward
in this project, which we expect to deliver about $2.2 billion in private
sector investment. About 1 600 jobs will be created directly and indirectly
through the construction project over the next two years. About 10 000 people
will ultimately work in the precinct, and we expect about four million visits
from people each year. It will be a very vibrant and active precinct.
The approach of the government on
this project has been in direct contrast to that of the opposition. As with
many projects, the opposition has been very good at making announcements. It
did that when in government with the so-called ''Dubai on Swan''
proposal, which was launched with a big fanfare in early 2008. After we came
into government, the Leader of the Opposition, when he was shadow Minister for
Planning, I think, criticised us for slightly downscaling the project. He said
it would become boring, or something to that effect. He had a complete change
of heart, particularly during the recent election campaign when he came out and
supported a half-baked, very boring alternative. That was one of the major
turning points in the election campaign. The electors of the electorate of
Perth certainly expressed their view about the alternatives available—that
being delivered by the government and that proposed by the opposition. There
was a change in the member for Perth. To some extent, the previous member for
Perth was hung out to dry on some aspects. We are delighted that there was a
change in representation. I also note that the opposition—for example,
the member for Cannington—has recently described this project as a
smelly inlet that will end up being a sludge pool.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
That's what your professional advice has told you. Your own department
said that.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : Not at all. We will see in two years' time—when
the public works are completed, when the inlet is constructed, when the
boardwalks, park areas, island, children's playground, kiosks and so on
are built and when people will be able to visit and get a coffee, take their
families there, walk and cycle around the area and partake in a range of
activities—whether the member for Cannington is right or whether this
government is right.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr J.H.D. DAY : The
opposition has already —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, member for Girrawheen. Minister, have you finished?
Mr J.H.D. DAY :
Almost, Mr Speaker. I have no doubt this project will end up like a number of
other projects in Western Australia that were contentious when planned, such as
Hillarys marina, which is now a vibrant and very well-utilised precinct. I have
no doubt Elizabeth Quay will be the same.
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