❓ A parliamentary question regarding the WA government's consultation and analysis of Tier 3 rail lines viability, funding, and alternative transport options following planned closures. The answer refers to existing reviews and commercial responsibility.
AnsweredQoN 692Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TIER 3 RAIL LINES
692. Hon DARREN WEST to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the government's
election commitment that a re-elected Liberal government will decide in
consultation with industry and farmers which tier 3 lines are viable and could
remain open.
(1) Who has the government consulted
on which lines are viable and when were they consulted?
(2) What analysis
has been undertaken on the state of the tracks, the volume of grain carried and
the condition of the roads nearby to tier 3 rail lines since the 2013 state
election?
(3) Has the
government identified any tier 3 lines as viable; and, if yes, has it
determined what funding is required from government to maintain them?
(4) How was the safety of road users
assessed in determining which tier 3 lines were viable?
(5) What options
will be available for farmers to get grain from gate to port in areas serviced
by the tier 3 grain lines that will close on 30 June 2014?
692. Hon DARREN WEST to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the government's
election commitment that a re-elected Liberal government will decide in
consultation with industry and farmers which tier 3 lines are viable and could
remain open.
(1) Who has the government consulted
on which lines are viable and when were they consulted?
(2) What analysis
has been undertaken on the state of the tracks, the volume of grain carried and
the condition of the roads nearby to tier 3 rail lines since the 2013 state
election?
(3) Has the
government identified any tier 3 lines as viable; and, if yes, has it
determined what funding is required from government to maintain them?
(4) How was the safety of road users
assessed in determining which tier 3 lines were viable?
(5) What options
will be available for farmers to get grain from gate to port in areas serviced
by the tier 3 grain lines that will close on 30 June 2014?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Transport, I thank the member for some
notice of the question.
(1) The
government consults on an ongoing basis with Brookfield Rail Pty Ltd and Co-operative
Bulk Handling Ltd. Line viability is a matter for Brookfield Rail to resolve
with its clients. Extensive consultation occurred with all key stakeholders
during the strategic grain network review by the Freight and Logistics Council
of Western Australia and the consultants that undertook the analysis.
(2) The SGNR,
which is the review referred to in (1), thoroughly analysed the grain rail
network and road network. Brookfield Rail, which has leased the rail network
for 49 years, is responsible for monitoring and managing the lines. Not all
upgrades associated with the grain freight improvement program have been
completed and as a result it is not yet appropriate to undertake an assessment.
Main Roads Western Australia continually monitors the status and performance of
the roads.
(3) Refer to (1).
Viable lines should not require government funding assistance. Both
Co-operative Bulk Handling and Brookfield Rail have advised that the tier 3
lines cannot continue to operate without additional government investment,
which indicates that the lines are not commercially viable.
(4) Road safety
was assessed as part of the SGNR. The road upgrades provide improvements to
maintain road safety.
(5) The
government supports the funnelling of grain from the tier 3 area to rail bins
on viable rail lines from where the grain should be transferred to port by
rail. However, modal choice is based on private commercial decisions by
individual grain growers and Co-operative Bulk Handling. There is no need for
any farmer to change their deliveries to their preferred receival point.
secretary representing the Minister for Transport, I thank the member for some
notice of the question.
(1) The
government consults on an ongoing basis with Brookfield Rail Pty Ltd and Co-operative
Bulk Handling Ltd. Line viability is a matter for Brookfield Rail to resolve
with its clients. Extensive consultation occurred with all key stakeholders
during the strategic grain network review by the Freight and Logistics Council
of Western Australia and the consultants that undertook the analysis.
(2) The SGNR,
which is the review referred to in (1), thoroughly analysed the grain rail
network and road network. Brookfield Rail, which has leased the rail network
for 49 years, is responsible for monitoring and managing the lines. Not all
upgrades associated with the grain freight improvement program have been
completed and as a result it is not yet appropriate to undertake an assessment.
Main Roads Western Australia continually monitors the status and performance of
the roads.
(3) Refer to (1).
Viable lines should not require government funding assistance. Both
Co-operative Bulk Handling and Brookfield Rail have advised that the tier 3
lines cannot continue to operate without additional government investment,
which indicates that the lines are not commercially viable.
(4) Road safety
was assessed as part of the SGNR. The road upgrades provide improvements to
maintain road safety.
(5) The
government supports the funnelling of grain from the tier 3 area to rail bins
on viable rail lines from where the grain should be transferred to port by
rail. However, modal choice is based on private commercial decisions by
individual grain growers and Co-operative Bulk Handling. There is no need for
any farmer to change their deliveries to their preferred receival point.
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