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❓ Question regarding the potential impact of the Westport project's dredging on the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant and the awareness/planning within the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure. The answer indicates ongoing engagement with Water Corporation to mitigate impacts.

AnsweredQoN 390Legislative Council

Asked

12 August 2025

Member

Hon Steve Martin

Portfolio

Transport

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to an article published on 9 July 2025 by Peter Milne at the website Boiling Cold in relation to Westport, which indicates that "In March, Water Corporation engineers were told the utility would need to close the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant as soon as dredging for Westport commenced", and I ask: (a) who first raised this problem, either from within or outside the State Government; (b) when was the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (Westport Office) made aware; (c) what work, such as a business case, was conducted within the Transport and Major Infrastructure portfolios to inform options reviewed before making the decision in relation to moving port facilities south; and (d) in reference to (c), who undertook this work?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

18 September 2025

Responded by

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport

Response time

11 days

(a)-(d) Westport has been engaging with Water Corporation since 2017 to ensure desalination facilities in Kwinana remain operational and water supplies are not impacted during port construction.

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