❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses road upgrades due to tier 3 rail line closures, focusing on environmental impact studies and clearing permits. The Minister's response outlines the government's commitment and timeline for upgrades.
AnsweredQoN 225Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GRAIN RAIL NETWORK — TIER 3 LINES — REGIONAL ROAD UPGRADES
I refer to the degradation and closure of tier 3 rail lines in the state’s Wheatbelt. (1) Which regional roads will be upgraded to handle the additional freight movements resulting from these closures, and when will these upgrades take place? (2) Were environmental impact studies undertaken to determine the impact of upgrading the regional roads, especially the clearing of roadside vegetation? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
I refer to the degradation and closure of tier 3 rail lines in the state’s Wheatbelt. (1) Which regional roads will be upgraded to handle the additional freight movements resulting from these closures, and when will these upgrades take place? (2) Were environmental impact studies undertaken to determine the impact of upgrading the regional roads, especially the clearing of roadside vegetation? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(1) Which regional roads will be upgraded to handle the additional freight movements resulting from these closures, and when will these upgrades take place? (2) Were environmental impact studies undertaken to determine the impact of upgrading the regional roads, especially the clearing of roadside vegetation? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(2) Were environmental impact studies undertaken to determine the impact of upgrading the regional roads, especially the clearing of roadside vegetation? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(1) Which regional roads will be upgraded to handle the additional freight movements resulting from these closures, and when will these upgrades take place? (2) Were environmental impact studies undertaken to determine the impact of upgrading the regional roads, especially the clearing of roadside vegetation? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(2) Were environmental impact studies undertaken to determine the impact of upgrading the regional roads, especially the clearing of roadside vegetation? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(3) If no to (2), why not? (4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(4) If yes to (2), when were these studies done and were or are they open to public scrutiny? If they are not open to public scrutiny, why not? (5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(5) Are clearing permits being obtained for roadworks that result in clearing vegetation; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(1) This Liberal–National government is proud to commit significant resources to the grain freight network, which was ignored by the previous government. Main Roads Western Australia is currently in the process of confirming the scope of works for this program. Upgrades will be undertaken over the four years between 2011-12 and 2014-15. (2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(2) No. (3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(3) Environmental impact studies are not generally undertaken until such time as the project scope has been confirmed. (4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
(5) Clearing permits will be obtained for roadworks where applicable.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.