❓ Ms. Shaw questions the Minister for Transport on the Morley-Ellenbrook line's role in WA's COVID-19 economic recovery, focusing on Infrastructure Australia's approval and economic support. The Minister responds positively, highlighting the project's benefits and criticising past opposition.
AnsweredQoN 282Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — TRANSPORT PROJECTS
282. Ms J.J. SHAW to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the key role major transport
projects will play in this state's economic recovery from the impacts
of COVID-19.
(1) Can the minister update the house on what Infrastructure
Australia's approval of the Morley–Ellenbrook line means for
this much-needed job-creating Metronet project?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how this project will support the WA economy during the post-COVID-19 recovery?
282. Ms J.J. SHAW to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the key role major transport
projects will play in this state's economic recovery from the impacts
of COVID-19.
(1) Can the minister update the house on what Infrastructure
Australia's approval of the Morley–Ellenbrook line means for
this much-needed job-creating Metronet project?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how this project will support the WA economy during the post-COVID-19 recovery?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Swan Hills for that
question.
(1)–(2) I am pleased to
advise the house that Infrastructure Australia has given the Morley–Ellenbrook
rail line the green light, formally adding the project to the national
infrastructure priority list. Infrastructure Australia found that the Morley–Ellenbrook
line was of strategic importance for improving integrated transport options
within the corridor, reducing car dependency and easing traffic congestion. It
is one of the final hurdles that will make sure that this long-awaited project
can be completed, as we committed to. The positive assessment comes after a comprehensive
options development identified more than 100 options before a shortlist of four
options was assessed during a cost–benefit analysis. Infrastructure
Australia found the project had a benefit–cost ratio of one to two,
providing $430 million in wider economic benefits
across the community. Early work on the project began last year with the start
of upgrades to the new Bayswater station. In addition, yesterday, we
announced the preferred proponent to build the Tonkin gap project, which is a major
component of the Morley–Ellenbrook line. These works will include dive
structures in Bayswater and Malaga, and, of course, all the work along the
median strip from Bayswater to Malaga. Two companies
have also recently been shortlisted to deliver the main package of works on the
Morley–Ellenbrook line. As we know, the Morley–Ellenbrook line
will be 21 kilometres long and go from Bayswater station through to Ellenbrook.
Stations will be built at Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park and
Ellenbrook. It was very pleasing to receive Infrastructure Australia's
endorsement of this project.
This project has
been criticised significantly by the opposition for many, many years, and I think
it is important to again outline some of the
comments that have been made by members opposite on this project . In
relation to Infrastructure Australia's assessment of this project, the
member for Riverton said on 17 May 2017 that
it would take a genius to come up with a business case to justify the
Ellenbrook rail line.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Well done, minister!
Ms R.
SAFFIOTI : The member
for Riverton said it would take a genius to come up with a business case. Of
course , Infrastructure
Australia has endorsed a business case that has a cost–benefit ratio of
one to two and with net economic benefits of $430 million for Western Australia.
The Leader of the Opposition said in March 2017 that the numbers for an
Ellenbrook rail line did not stack up. The member for Bateman said in July 2016
—
''If you
look at the population, it just isn't there to sustain a capital
investment at this point in time �
As late as September last year, the Leader
of the Opposition and the shadow transport minister were railing against the
Ellenbrook rail line, saying that we should not undertake this route to get to
Ellenbrook. Infrastructure Australia found that the Morley–Ellenbrook
line has strategic value and, as I said, significant economic benefits. In just
over three years, we have brought a rail line to life, which is a record time
frame for any infrastructure of this type. All we have had from the opposition
and the Liberal Party are comments about why this rail line could not be built.
We have said, and demonstrated, how it can. I am very proud of Infrastructure
Australia's assessment and our progress on this very significant
project.
question.
(1)–(2) I am pleased to
advise the house that Infrastructure Australia has given the Morley–Ellenbrook
rail line the green light, formally adding the project to the national
infrastructure priority list. Infrastructure Australia found that the Morley–Ellenbrook
line was of strategic importance for improving integrated transport options
within the corridor, reducing car dependency and easing traffic congestion. It
is one of the final hurdles that will make sure that this long-awaited project
can be completed, as we committed to. The positive assessment comes after a comprehensive
options development identified more than 100 options before a shortlist of four
options was assessed during a cost–benefit analysis. Infrastructure
Australia found the project had a benefit–cost ratio of one to two,
providing $430 million in wider economic benefits
across the community. Early work on the project began last year with the start
of upgrades to the new Bayswater station. In addition, yesterday, we
announced the preferred proponent to build the Tonkin gap project, which is a major
component of the Morley–Ellenbrook line. These works will include dive
structures in Bayswater and Malaga, and, of course, all the work along the
median strip from Bayswater to Malaga. Two companies
have also recently been shortlisted to deliver the main package of works on the
Morley–Ellenbrook line. As we know, the Morley–Ellenbrook line
will be 21 kilometres long and go from Bayswater station through to Ellenbrook.
Stations will be built at Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park and
Ellenbrook. It was very pleasing to receive Infrastructure Australia's
endorsement of this project.
This project has
been criticised significantly by the opposition for many, many years, and I think
it is important to again outline some of the
comments that have been made by members opposite on this project . In
relation to Infrastructure Australia's assessment of this project, the
member for Riverton said on 17 May 2017 that
it would take a genius to come up with a business case to justify the
Ellenbrook rail line.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Well done, minister!
Ms R.
SAFFIOTI : The member
for Riverton said it would take a genius to come up with a business case. Of
course , Infrastructure
Australia has endorsed a business case that has a cost–benefit ratio of
one to two and with net economic benefits of $430 million for Western Australia.
The Leader of the Opposition said in March 2017 that the numbers for an
Ellenbrook rail line did not stack up. The member for Bateman said in July 2016
—
''If you
look at the population, it just isn't there to sustain a capital
investment at this point in time �
As late as September last year, the Leader
of the Opposition and the shadow transport minister were railing against the
Ellenbrook rail line, saying that we should not undertake this route to get to
Ellenbrook. Infrastructure Australia found that the Morley–Ellenbrook
line has strategic value and, as I said, significant economic benefits. In just
over three years, we have brought a rail line to life, which is a record time
frame for any infrastructure of this type. All we have had from the opposition
and the Liberal Party are comments about why this rail line could not be built.
We have said, and demonstrated, how it can. I am very proud of Infrastructure
Australia's assessment and our progress on this very significant
project.
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