❓ The Minister for Transport responds to questions about Perth CBD infrastructure projects, highlighting the Causeway pedestrian bridges and criticising the Liberal Party's opposition to new developments like a primary school and swimming pool.
AnsweredQoN 544Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CBD INFRASTRUCTURE
544. Mr G. BAKER to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to creating vibrant, active and connected communities, including in
the Perth city and surrounds.
(1) Can the minister
update the house on the construction of the Causeway pedestrian and cyclist
bridges and other initiatives to increase liveability and amenity for Perth
residents?
(1) Can the
minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone who is opposed to
delivering new services and infrastructure?
544. Mr G. BAKER to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to creating vibrant, active and connected communities, including in
the Perth city and surrounds.
(1) Can the minister
update the house on the construction of the Causeway pedestrian and cyclist
bridges and other initiatives to increase liveability and amenity for Perth
residents?
(1) Can the
minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone who is opposed to
delivering new services and infrastructure?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for the question. A few weeks ago, we had the great privilege
to walk across the new Causeway pedestrian and cyclist bridges. They go from
Victoria Park over to Heirisson Island and then, of course, into the city. The
bridges are six metres wide and will accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists
and are being made here in Western Australia.
Remember
the story of the Matagarup Bridge when we won government? It was lost on a ship
somewhere . We were waiting for that ship to roll up at the port of
Fremantle with the Matagarup Bridge in it, and it never came. We then made sure
to build Matagarup Bridge in Western Australia and, right from the start, these
bridges are going to be Western Australian–made and they are looking
magnificent. Again, it is a testament to the WA workers out there delivering
that bridge. Of course, lighting and other key benefits of the bridges will
make them tourism icons, not only transport icons.
Of course, across the road we have
the development of the Western Australian Cricket Association pool. This week,
the Minister for Education and the Minister for Planning announced that East
Perth residents will have access to a new primary school in the City of Perth.
We announced it, and we are basically delivering new services and
infrastructure in Perth not as a result of the work of the City of Perth, but
despite it.
Let us go through some key facts. Our
commitment to build a swimming pool in the City of Perth was rejected by the
Liberal candidate for Churchlands, our new pedestrian bridge has been
criticised by the Liberal candidate for Churchlands and now we have seen the
latest in what is a series of bizarre, erratic—some would say weird—responses
to the new primary school. He wrote another angry letter to us today saying
that he will increase the rates for City of Perth residents. He is going to
increase the rates. Let us go through the offer we put out there. It includes a
brand new primary school and we are unlocking land that will increase the value
of the City of Perth and create new revenue rates from the new housing, which we very much support. That is $60 million worth of
economic benefit, and now there is the $4.2 million in forgone car park revenue. Our offer would provide
a revenue uplift, yet he wants to increase rates. That is Liberal Party politics and Liberal Party economics
at work, members. Remember that when the Liberal Party was in power it
had windfall revenue but increased land tax three times and increased
electricity charges by 90 per cent and TAFE fees by 500 per cent. That is
Liberal Party economics. It gets a windfall revenue and then it increases taxes
on the residents that Liberal Party members are meant to represent. It is incredible stuff. He is tweeting away. The
keyboard warrior is tweeting and attacking us and writing letters to us.
His obligation should be the fact that the City of Perth is going to get
increased revenue, but now he wants to increase people's taxes. That is
Liberal Party economics. We are finding this across many places. I know that
will be another issue raised today. The Liberal Party is interfering in us
trying to grow housing and deliver key infrastructure like schools. There are
Liberal Party councils or councillors who want to deny new housing options and
deny people access to new schools. We will keep working on behalf of Western Australians
to deliver new schools, new training opportunities and more housing for Western
Australians.
thank the member for the question. A few weeks ago, we had the great privilege
to walk across the new Causeway pedestrian and cyclist bridges. They go from
Victoria Park over to Heirisson Island and then, of course, into the city. The
bridges are six metres wide and will accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists
and are being made here in Western Australia.
Remember
the story of the Matagarup Bridge when we won government? It was lost on a ship
somewhere . We were waiting for that ship to roll up at the port of
Fremantle with the Matagarup Bridge in it, and it never came. We then made sure
to build Matagarup Bridge in Western Australia and, right from the start, these
bridges are going to be Western Australian–made and they are looking
magnificent. Again, it is a testament to the WA workers out there delivering
that bridge. Of course, lighting and other key benefits of the bridges will
make them tourism icons, not only transport icons.
Of course, across the road we have
the development of the Western Australian Cricket Association pool. This week,
the Minister for Education and the Minister for Planning announced that East
Perth residents will have access to a new primary school in the City of Perth.
We announced it, and we are basically delivering new services and
infrastructure in Perth not as a result of the work of the City of Perth, but
despite it.
Let us go through some key facts. Our
commitment to build a swimming pool in the City of Perth was rejected by the
Liberal candidate for Churchlands, our new pedestrian bridge has been
criticised by the Liberal candidate for Churchlands and now we have seen the
latest in what is a series of bizarre, erratic—some would say weird—responses
to the new primary school. He wrote another angry letter to us today saying
that he will increase the rates for City of Perth residents. He is going to
increase the rates. Let us go through the offer we put out there. It includes a
brand new primary school and we are unlocking land that will increase the value
of the City of Perth and create new revenue rates from the new housing, which we very much support. That is $60 million worth of
economic benefit, and now there is the $4.2 million in forgone car park revenue. Our offer would provide
a revenue uplift, yet he wants to increase rates. That is Liberal Party politics and Liberal Party economics
at work, members. Remember that when the Liberal Party was in power it
had windfall revenue but increased land tax three times and increased
electricity charges by 90 per cent and TAFE fees by 500 per cent. That is
Liberal Party economics. It gets a windfall revenue and then it increases taxes
on the residents that Liberal Party members are meant to represent. It is incredible stuff. He is tweeting away. The
keyboard warrior is tweeting and attacking us and writing letters to us.
His obligation should be the fact that the City of Perth is going to get
increased revenue, but now he wants to increase people's taxes. That is
Liberal Party economics. We are finding this across many places. I know that
will be another issue raised today. The Liberal Party is interfering in us
trying to grow housing and deliver key infrastructure like schools. There are
Liberal Party councils or councillors who want to deny new housing options and
deny people access to new schools. We will keep working on behalf of Western Australians
to deliver new schools, new training opportunities and more housing for Western
Australians.
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