A parliamentary question regarding the WA government's investment in tier 3 grain lines, particularly in light of Watco's involvement. The Minister deflects responsibility to the Minister for Transport, pending Watco's assessment and agreement with CBH.

AnsweredQoN 19Legislative Council
Asked
15 February 2011
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

GRAIN RAIL NETWORK — TIER 3 LINES CLOSURE
(1) Does the minister still hold the view that the reason the government is not investing in the tier 3 grain lines is that the industry will not use them? (2) Will the minister honour his commitment to invest in these lines if Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and Watco advise him that they will use these lines? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) Is the minister confident that sufficient money has been allocated to ensure that all roads impacted by the closure of the tier 3 lines will be upgraded? Hon WENDY DUNCAN

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(4) The minister has responded by saying that these questions should be directed to the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for this matter. Nevertheless, I am aware that the Minister for Regional Development attended the meeting of the Western Australian Farmers Federation, Merredin zone, at Narembeen on Friday, 11 February 2011 to listen to the concerns of farmers and shires regarding this issue. The entry of Watco into the equation has changed the paradigm. The Minister for Regional Development will await the outcome of Watco’s assessment of the tier 3 lines and its agreement with CBH regarding the way forward, which will be presented to government through the Minister for Transport.
(2) Will the minister honour his commitment to invest in these lines if Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and Watco advise him that they will use these lines? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) Is the minister confident that sufficient money has been allocated to ensure that all roads impacted by the closure of the tier 3 lines will be upgraded? Hon WENDY DUNCAN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(4) The minister has responded by saying that these questions should be directed to the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for this matter. Nevertheless, I am aware that the Minister for Regional Development attended the meeting of the Western Australian Farmers Federation, Merredin zone, at Narembeen on Friday, 11 February 2011 to listen to the concerns of farmers and shires regarding this issue. The entry of Watco into the equation has changed the paradigm. The Minister for Regional Development will await the outcome of Watco’s assessment of the tier 3 lines and its agreement with CBH regarding the way forward, which will be presented to government through the Minister for Transport.
(3) If no to (2), why not? (4) Is the minister confident that sufficient money has been allocated to ensure that all roads impacted by the closure of the tier 3 lines will be upgraded? Hon WENDY DUNCAN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(4) The minister has responded by saying that these questions should be directed to the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for this matter. Nevertheless, I am aware that the Minister for Regional Development attended the meeting of the Western Australian Farmers Federation, Merredin zone, at Narembeen on Friday, 11 February 2011 to listen to the concerns of farmers and shires regarding this issue. The entry of Watco into the equation has changed the paradigm. The Minister for Regional Development will await the outcome of Watco’s assessment of the tier 3 lines and its agreement with CBH regarding the way forward, which will be presented to government through the Minister for Transport.
(4) Is the minister confident that sufficient money has been allocated to ensure that all roads impacted by the closure of the tier 3 lines will be upgraded? Hon WENDY DUNCAN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(4) The minister has responded by saying that these questions should be directed to the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for this matter. Nevertheless, I am aware that the Minister for Regional Development attended the meeting of the Western Australian Farmers Federation, Merredin zone, at Narembeen on Friday, 11 February 2011 to listen to the concerns of farmers and shires regarding this issue. The entry of Watco into the equation has changed the paradigm. The Minister for Regional Development will await the outcome of Watco’s assessment of the tier 3 lines and its agreement with CBH regarding the way forward, which will be presented to government through the Minister for Transport.
Hon WENDY DUNCAN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(4) The minister has responded by saying that these questions should be directed to the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for this matter. Nevertheless, I am aware that the Minister for Regional Development attended the meeting of the Western Australian Farmers Federation, Merredin zone, at Narembeen on Friday, 11 February 2011 to listen to the concerns of farmers and shires regarding this issue. The entry of Watco into the equation has changed the paradigm. The Minister for Regional Development will await the outcome of Watco’s assessment of the tier 3 lines and its agreement with CBH regarding the way forward, which will be presented to government through the Minister for Transport.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(4) The minister has responded by saying that these questions should be directed to the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for this matter. Nevertheless, I am aware that the Minister for Regional Development attended the meeting of the Western Australian Farmers Federation, Merredin zone, at Narembeen on Friday, 11 February 2011 to listen to the concerns of farmers and shires regarding this issue. The entry of Watco into the equation has changed the paradigm. The Minister for Regional Development will await the outcome of Watco’s assessment of the tier 3 lines and its agreement with CBH regarding the way forward, which will be presented to government through the Minister for Transport.
(1)–(4) The minister has responded by saying that these questions should be directed to the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for this matter. Nevertheless, I am aware that the Minister for Regional Development attended the meeting of the Western Australian Farmers Federation, Merredin zone, at Narembeen on Friday, 11 February 2011 to listen to the concerns of farmers and shires regarding this issue. The entry of Watco into the equation has changed the paradigm. The Minister for Regional Development will await the outcome of Watco’s assessment of the tier 3 lines and its agreement with CBH regarding the way forward, which will be presented to government through the Minister for Transport.

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