❓ Question regarding the selection and subsequent issues with Petra Westkey as the preferred proponent for worker accommodation in Kalbarri, leading to the withdrawal of negotiations. The government is reconsidering its options after making land available.
AnsweredQoN 868Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to answers provided in the Legislative Council on 16 August 2023 regarding the delivery of Workers Accommodation in Kalbarri, and I ask : (a) On what date did the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) last have contact with Petra Westkey and what was the nature of the contact; (b) Is the Minister aware the office located at 8 Buckingham Drive Wangara is closed, and when did the Minister first become aware; (c) Is the Minister aware a company trading as Petra Westkey operating out of 8 Buckingham Drive Wangara entered liquidation in May this year and when did he become aware; (d) Is the Minister aware the contact phone number for Petra Westkey directs callers to a disconnected phone number in Malaysia and when did he become aware; (e) Is your office or the DPLH investigating the concerns raised by the Opposition regarding Petra Westkey; (f) Will government commence a process for a new preferred proponent to deliver the Workers Accommodation commitment; (g) Has the Department provided a timeline for this new process; (h) Who provided the Minister with the advice stating Petra Westkey had not ceased operations in WA, and how have these claims been substantiated; (i) Have you or your office spoken or been in direct contact with Petra Westkey since they were announced as the preferred proponent in August 2022, and on what dates did this contacts take place; (j) Did Petra Westkey provide a timeline for delivery as part of the process for them to be announced as the preferred proponent for project delivery; (k) Did this timeline include specific milestones, and can this please be provided; (l) What due diligence did your department undertake with Petra Westkey ahead of their announcement as preferred project proponent; and (m) On what dates have you or your office contacted the Shire of Northampton to provide them with an update on this priority local project?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 October 2023
Responded by
Minister for Lands
Response time
9 days
(a)
On 28 August 2023, the State Government, through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, withdrew from negotiations with Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd.
(b) – (e)
As above, the State Government, through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, has withdrawn from negotiations with Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd.
(f) – (g)
The State Government’s commitment was to make suitable land available in consultation with the local government and this commitment was delivered. Having now withdrawn from negotiations with Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd, the State Government is reconsidering its options.
(h)
Advice from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is that as at 28 August 2023, Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd had not ceased its operations in Western Australia. The company remained listed as a registered entity with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission as of this date.
(i) – (l)
Negotiations with preferred proponents are conducted by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. An Evaluation Panel was formed to assess the submissions received against established evaluation criteria. The submission by Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd was subject to the negotiation of commercial terms.
(m)
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage worked closely with the Shire of Northampton to identify and make the land available, including rezoning the site to include workforce accommodation as a discretionary use. Representatives from the Department met most recently with the Chief Executive Officer of the Shire on 31 July 2023.
On 28 August 2023, the State Government, through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, withdrew from negotiations with Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd.
(b) – (e)
As above, the State Government, through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, has withdrawn from negotiations with Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd.
(f) – (g)
The State Government’s commitment was to make suitable land available in consultation with the local government and this commitment was delivered. Having now withdrawn from negotiations with Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd, the State Government is reconsidering its options.
(h)
Advice from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is that as at 28 August 2023, Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd had not ceased its operations in Western Australia. The company remained listed as a registered entity with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission as of this date.
(i) – (l)
Negotiations with preferred proponents are conducted by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. An Evaluation Panel was formed to assess the submissions received against established evaluation criteria. The submission by Petra Westkey (WA) Pty Ltd was subject to the negotiation of commercial terms.
(m)
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage worked closely with the Shire of Northampton to identify and make the land available, including rezoning the site to include workforce accommodation as a discretionary use. Representatives from the Department met most recently with the Chief Executive Officer of the Shire on 31 July 2023.
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