❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the achievability of the $7 billion Westport project cost, its cost-benefit compared to extending Fremantle, and if other projects have better value alternatives. The Minister defends Westport Now as the most sensible approach, criticising extending Fremantle as costly and risky.
AnsweredQoN 104Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Westport Now
104. Hon Steve Martin to the parliamentary secretary representing
the Minister for Transport:
I refer to Infrastructure Western Australia's summary assessment
report of Westport.
(1)
Given IWA considers that large infrastructure projects are often subject to
cost increases from estimates in early stages of project development, is the
projected $7 billion cost of Westport achievable?
(2)
Why is the government pushing ahead with the Westport Now proposal when the Extend
Fremantle option has a significantly better cost–benefit analysis?
(3)
Are there other significant infrastructure projects that the Labor government has
undertaken for which a cost–benefit analysis has pointed to a better
value option for the taxpayers of WA?
(4)
If yes to (3), which projects are they?
104. Hon Steve Martin to the parliamentary secretary representing
the Minister for Transport:
I refer to Infrastructure Western Australia's summary assessment
report of Westport.
(1)
Given IWA considers that large infrastructure projects are often subject to
cost increases from estimates in early stages of project development, is the
projected $7 billion cost of Westport achievable?
(2)
Why is the government pushing ahead with the Westport Now proposal when the Extend
Fremantle option has a significantly better cost–benefit analysis?
(3)
Are there other significant infrastructure projects that the Labor government has
undertaken for which a cost–benefit analysis has pointed to a better
value option for the taxpayers of WA?
(4)
If yes to (3), which projects are they?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the
following answer on behalf of the Minister for Transport.
(1)–(4)
Infrastructure Western Australia supports progressing the Westport Now option
to the next stage of project development. The Westport Now option represents
the most sensible and responsible approach for planning for the future of
container trade in WA. Recklessly stretching out Fremantle port operations for
a further decade will cost at least $2.2 billion more and lead to long-term
disruptions around Fremantle. This approach also creates additional avoidable
risks, including running out of capacity before the new container port is
ready, and endangering WA jobs and the WA economy.
thank the honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the
following answer on behalf of the Minister for Transport.
(1)–(4)
Infrastructure Western Australia supports progressing the Westport Now option
to the next stage of project development. The Westport Now option represents
the most sensible and responsible approach for planning for the future of
container trade in WA. Recklessly stretching out Fremantle port operations for
a further decade will cost at least $2.2 billion more and lead to long-term
disruptions around Fremantle. This approach also creates additional avoidable
risks, including running out of capacity before the new container port is
ready, and endangering WA jobs and the WA economy.
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