❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Transport about the lifespan of the old and new Fremantle Traffic Bridges and whether hemp-based building materials were considered, given their historical use and durability. The Minister confirms hemp was not considered, opting for traditional materials.
AnsweredQoN 891Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
INDUSTRIAL HEMP —
FREMANTLE TRAFFIC BRIDGE
891. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
My question is to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Transport. I refer the minister to ongoing work
to build a new bridge across the Swan River in Fremantle, noting that
construction work is scheduled to commence this year.
(1) What was the life span of the
old bridge, and what is the projected life span of the new one?
(2) Is the
minister aware that bridges incorporating hemp concrete were constructed in
France during the sixth-century Merovingian dynasty and are still standing and
in use today?
(3) Was any
consideration of hemp-based building materials entertained during the planning
stages of this project; and, if not, why not?
FREMANTLE TRAFFIC BRIDGE
891. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
My question is to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Transport. I refer the minister to ongoing work
to build a new bridge across the Swan River in Fremantle, noting that
construction work is scheduled to commence this year.
(1) What was the life span of the
old bridge, and what is the projected life span of the new one?
(2) Is the
minister aware that bridges incorporating hemp concrete were constructed in
France during the sixth-century Merovingian dynasty and are still standing and
in use today?
(3) Was any
consideration of hemp-based building materials entertained during the planning
stages of this project; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I, in fact, represent the Minister for Transport,
so I will provide the answer. The short answer is no, but the answer provided
by the minister is as follows.
(1)–(3) The Fremantle Traffic Bridge was opened in 1939
with an expected 40-year life and has served its function well beyond
that. The new traffic bridge will have a design life of 100 years. Planning,
development and design for the new traffic bridge is ongoing but will use
more-traditional building materials.
some notice of the question. I, in fact, represent the Minister for Transport,
so I will provide the answer. The short answer is no, but the answer provided
by the minister is as follows.
(1)–(3) The Fremantle Traffic Bridge was opened in 1939
with an expected 40-year life and has served its function well beyond
that. The new traffic bridge will have a design life of 100 years. Planning,
development and design for the new traffic bridge is ongoing but will use
more-traditional building materials.
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