❓ Question regarding the procurement process for a new Australind train, component manufacturing and assembly locations, and alternative solutions for the existing service. The answer deflects blame to the previous government for not addressing the train's aging infrastructure.
AnsweredQoN 5373Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the South Western Times article on 18 July 2019, ‘Premier commits to WA-built train’, and I ask: (a) What is the current status of the procurement process for a new Australind train; (b) Where will the components for the new Australind train be manufactured; (c) Where will the components for the new Australind train be assembled; and (d) Given a new train is expected in the “coming years”, has the State Government investigated using a locomotive to haul and power the existing Australind rail set or sourcing a locomotive and/or carriages from a leasing company, rail heritage group or another state such as QLD which has the same rail gauge?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 September 2019
Responded by
Minister for Transport
Response time
14 days
It is noted that the Australind train came into service in 1987 and was originally planned to have an operational life of up to 30 years. This means a new Australind train should have been servicing Bunbury by 2017 at the latest, however this did not occur.
The Member for Vasse should explain why her government failed to allocate funding to plan for and begin the process of replacing the Australind despite knowing it would reach the end of its useful life by 2017.
(a) The procurement process is well underway, with the preferred proponent announced on 18 September 2019.
(b)-(c) The State Government is committed to its target of 50 per cent local content for the supply activities associated with the Railcar Procurement Project.
(d) The Public Transport Authority advises that there is no rollingstock leasing company in Australia able to supply passenger rollingstock. Rollingstock held by Rail Heritage groups would not be suitable for modern rail passenger services. The Government has invested in replacing the Australind as part of the $32 million Rail Future Fund.
The Member for Vasse should explain why her government failed to allocate funding to plan for and begin the process of replacing the Australind despite knowing it would reach the end of its useful life by 2017.
(a) The procurement process is well underway, with the preferred proponent announced on 18 September 2019.
(b)-(c) The State Government is committed to its target of 50 per cent local content for the supply activities associated with the Railcar Procurement Project.
(d) The Public Transport Authority advises that there is no rollingstock leasing company in Australia able to supply passenger rollingstock. Rollingstock held by Rail Heritage groups would not be suitable for modern rail passenger services. The Government has invested in replacing the Australind as part of the $32 million Rail Future Fund.
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