❓ Ms. Mettam questions the Premier about Fremantle Inner Harbour's future operation and congestion management. The Premier responds by highlighting the Westport Taskforce's long-term planning and increased freight on rail.
AnsweredQoN 1119Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WESTPORT TASKFORCE —
FREMANTLE INNER PORT
1119. Ms L. METTAM to the Premier:
I refer to comments by the Fremantle
Ports CEO made at the Western Australian Port Operations Taskforce meeting on 7
November that —
� any new facilities will take time
to progress necessary approvals and construction, it's clear the Inner
Harbour will have to keep operating for at least the next ten years.
Can the Premier confirm that the CEO
is correct that the inner harbour will be required for at least a decade; and,
if so, will the Premier outline the government's plan to deal with the
increased container traffic and congestion in the southern suburbs?
FREMANTLE INNER PORT
1119. Ms L. METTAM to the Premier:
I refer to comments by the Fremantle
Ports CEO made at the Western Australian Port Operations Taskforce meeting on 7
November that —
� any new facilities will take time
to progress necessary approvals and construction, it's clear the Inner
Harbour will have to keep operating for at least the next ten years.
Can the Premier confirm that the CEO
is correct that the inner harbour will be required for at least a decade; and,
if so, will the Premier outline the government's plan to deal with the
increased container traffic and congestion in the southern suburbs?
AnswerView source ↗
It is Christmas time, so I will give
the member a break.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members, I want
to hear the answer. Member for Vasse.
Mr M. McGOWAN : We have the
Westport Taskforce chaired by Nicole Lockwood. She is doing an outstanding job of working on the long-term needs for freight
and trade for Western Australia. One of the things that governments need to do is think for the long term. Today, we
signed contracts for a new rail manufacturing facility right here in Western Australia
that will be cheaper than buying them from Queensland or Victoria and better
quality than buying them from overseas, and will also provide the opportunity
for maintenance for 30 years and the opportunity for the private sector,
particularly mining and agricultural industries, to get in as part of the
action and start doing more work here. That is long-term thinking. With
Westport, we are engaging in long-term thinking as well. The fact of the matter
is that Fremantle port has existed for 120 years and needs significant amounts
of money spent on road and rail access and on expanding the harbour if it is to
continue into the long-term future. What we have done is look at what needs to
happen for freight and trade out of Perth into the long-term future. That is
what the Westport Taskforce is doing. It will come down with a report next
year, which no doubt we will release, and provide some guidance on a way
forward. When we build a new port, if that is what the government decides to
do, obviously we will not go out the next day with the shovels and the
bulldozers to build the bridges and whatever else needs to be put in place. It
will take some time. Approvals, environmental approvals, funding and all those
things take some time. I do not think it is unreasonable for us to take our
time in making such an important and significant decision.
In the meantime, as I outlined to
the house a couple of weeks ago, there has been a huge pickup in freight on
rail under this government. It was down to around 10 per cent of containers on
rail into Fremantle port under the last government; it is now up to over 20 per
cent and approaching 25 per cent of freight on rail under this government. We
have done what is needed to get more containers onto rail to take pressure off
the roads surrounding Fremantle, and that is a good thing. The member asked, ''What
are we doing about it?'' Our answer is that we are putting more freight
on rail, as I have explained to members on numerous occasions.
the member a break.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members, I want
to hear the answer. Member for Vasse.
Mr M. McGOWAN : We have the
Westport Taskforce chaired by Nicole Lockwood. She is doing an outstanding job of working on the long-term needs for freight
and trade for Western Australia. One of the things that governments need to do is think for the long term. Today, we
signed contracts for a new rail manufacturing facility right here in Western Australia
that will be cheaper than buying them from Queensland or Victoria and better
quality than buying them from overseas, and will also provide the opportunity
for maintenance for 30 years and the opportunity for the private sector,
particularly mining and agricultural industries, to get in as part of the
action and start doing more work here. That is long-term thinking. With
Westport, we are engaging in long-term thinking as well. The fact of the matter
is that Fremantle port has existed for 120 years and needs significant amounts
of money spent on road and rail access and on expanding the harbour if it is to
continue into the long-term future. What we have done is look at what needs to
happen for freight and trade out of Perth into the long-term future. That is
what the Westport Taskforce is doing. It will come down with a report next
year, which no doubt we will release, and provide some guidance on a way
forward. When we build a new port, if that is what the government decides to
do, obviously we will not go out the next day with the shovels and the
bulldozers to build the bridges and whatever else needs to be put in place. It
will take some time. Approvals, environmental approvals, funding and all those
things take some time. I do not think it is unreasonable for us to take our
time in making such an important and significant decision.
In the meantime, as I outlined to
the house a couple of weeks ago, there has been a huge pickup in freight on
rail under this government. It was down to around 10 per cent of containers on
rail into Fremantle port under the last government; it is now up to over 20 per
cent and approaching 25 per cent of freight on rail under this government. We
have done what is needed to get more containers onto rail to take pressure off
the roads surrounding Fremantle, and that is a good thing. The member asked, ''What
are we doing about it?'' Our answer is that we are putting more freight
on rail, as I have explained to members on numerous occasions.
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