❓ Minister O'Brien announces agreement with WestNet Rail to maintain rail operations on all lines for 2009-10, including previously withdrawn lines. A new committee will advise on the network's future, while the Minister criticises the previous government's inaction.
AnsweredQoN 689Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GRAIN RAIL FREIGHT NETWORK
Is the minister able to update the house on any recent developments on the grain rail freight network? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
Is the minister able to update the house on any recent developments on the grain rail freight network? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I acknowledge the member’s concern about this area. Earlier today, I was pleased to announce that the state government and WestNet Rail have agreed on a way forward to guarantee that rail operations will be available on all lines for the 2009-10 financial year, including on the four lines previously withdrawn from service. As a result of discussions with WestNet Rail, an agreement was reached that will see the newly established Strategic Grain Network Committee—a subcommittee of the Freight and Logistics Council that I set up earlier this year—take a leading role in examining and providing advice and recommendations on the future of the state’s grain rail freight network and the government’s possible investment in that network. The commitment by WestNet Rail to recommence train operations while the SGNC assesses the sector’s needs is welcome. I expect to receive advice from the SGNC over the course of the year, but the initial advice will be coming in as early as the end of July. That shows that this government knows how to respond to emerging situations in one of this state’s most important agricultural sectors. The important thing to note is that all the network will be available for the 2019-10 financial year. It is interesting that the reason we are having to do this work now is because the former government could not manage to get on with actioning its own plans that it had commissioned over a number of years, from 2004 to 2008. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I acknowledge the member’s concern about this area. Earlier today, I was pleased to announce that the state government and WestNet Rail have agreed on a way forward to guarantee that rail operations will be available on all lines for the 2009-10 financial year, including on the four lines previously withdrawn from service. As a result of discussions with WestNet Rail, an agreement was reached that will see the newly established Strategic Grain Network Committee—a subcommittee of the Freight and Logistics Council that I set up earlier this year—take a leading role in examining and providing advice and recommendations on the future of the state’s grain rail freight network and the government’s possible investment in that network. The commitment by WestNet Rail to recommence train operations while the SGNC assesses the sector’s needs is welcome. I expect to receive advice from the SGNC over the course of the year, but the initial advice will be coming in as early as the end of July. That shows that this government knows how to respond to emerging situations in one of this state’s most important agricultural sectors. The important thing to note is that all the network will be available for the 2019-10 financial year. It is interesting that the reason we are having to do this work now is because the former government could not manage to get on with actioning its own plans that it had commissioned over a number of years, from 2004 to 2008. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I acknowledge the member’s concern about this area. Earlier today, I was pleased to announce that the state government and WestNet Rail have agreed on a way forward to guarantee that rail operations will be available on all lines for the 2009-10 financial year, including on the four lines previously withdrawn from service. As a result of discussions with WestNet Rail, an agreement was reached that will see the newly established Strategic Grain Network Committee—a subcommittee of the Freight and Logistics Council that I set up earlier this year—take a leading role in examining and providing advice and recommendations on the future of the state’s grain rail freight network and the government’s possible investment in that network. The commitment by WestNet Rail to recommence train operations while the SGNC assesses the sector’s needs is welcome. I expect to receive advice from the SGNC over the course of the year, but the initial advice will be coming in as early as the end of July. That shows that this government knows how to respond to emerging situations in one of this state’s most important agricultural sectors. The important thing to note is that all the network will be available for the 2019-10 financial year. It is interesting that the reason we are having to do this work now is because the former government could not manage to get on with actioning its own plans that it had commissioned over a number of years, from 2004 to 2008. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I acknowledge the member’s concern about this area. Earlier today, I was pleased to announce that the state government and WestNet Rail have agreed on a way forward to guarantee that rail operations will be available on all lines for the 2009-10 financial year, including on the four lines previously withdrawn from service. As a result of discussions with WestNet Rail, an agreement was reached that will see the newly established Strategic Grain Network Committee—a subcommittee of the Freight and Logistics Council that I set up earlier this year—take a leading role in examining and providing advice and recommendations on the future of the state’s grain rail freight network and the government’s possible investment in that network. The commitment by WestNet Rail to recommence train operations while the SGNC assesses the sector’s needs is welcome. I expect to receive advice from the SGNC over the course of the year, but the initial advice will be coming in as early as the end of July. That shows that this government knows how to respond to emerging situations in one of this state’s most important agricultural sectors. The important thing to note is that all the network will be available for the 2019-10 financial year. It is interesting that the reason we are having to do this work now is because the former government could not manage to get on with actioning its own plans that it had commissioned over a number of years, from 2004 to 2008. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I acknowledge the member’s concern about this area. Earlier today, I was pleased to announce that the state government and WestNet Rail have agreed on a way forward to guarantee that rail operations will be available on all lines for the 2009-10 financial year, including on the four lines previously withdrawn from service. As a result of discussions with WestNet Rail, an agreement was reached that will see the newly established Strategic Grain Network Committee—a subcommittee of the Freight and Logistics Council that I set up earlier this year—take a leading role in examining and providing advice and recommendations on the future of the state’s grain rail freight network and the government’s possible investment in that network. The commitment by WestNet Rail to recommence train operations while the SGNC assesses the sector’s needs is welcome. I expect to receive advice from the SGNC over the course of the year, but the initial advice will be coming in as early as the end of July. That shows that this government knows how to respond to emerging situations in one of this state’s most important agricultural sectors. The important thing to note is that all the network will be available for the 2019-10 financial year. It is interesting that the reason we are having to do this work now is because the former government could not manage to get on with actioning its own plans that it had commissioned over a number of years, from 2004 to 2008. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
The PRESIDENT : Order! I give the call to Hon Giz Watson. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
The PRESIDENT : Order! There is only one Hon Giz Watson in the chamber that I am aware of. Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
Hon GIZ WATSON : Let us hope so, Mr President!
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