❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the maintenance of Swan River foreshore, specifically concerning the deterioration of river walls near Mends Street and funding allocations to the Swan River Trust. The response details funding provided and projects undertaken.
AnsweredQoN 808Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SWAN RIVER
FORESHORE — MAINTENANCE
808. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing
the Minister for Environment:
(1) Does the
minister believe that it is either satisfactory or appropriate that the river
walls on either side of Mends Street have deteriorated to such an extent that
they are collapsing into the river whilst the state government is spending $450
million on the Perth Waterfront project directly opposite the damaged walls?
(2) How much
money does the state government allocate to the Swan River Trust each year to
improve the condition of, to replace and to maintain the river walls?
(3) Is the
minister aware that in 2008 the Swan River Trust assessed the condition of the
Swan River foreshore areas and determined that work to the value of $80 million
was necessary to bring the foreshore areas up to an acceptable standard?
(4) Why did the
WA state government not support the application to Infrastructure Australia for
$80 million in funding to address this issue that the City of South Perth made
on behalf of all 21 river local governments?
(5) Is the
minister aware that the City of South Perth has fenced the Swan River in two
prominent locations as a risk management measure to minimise potential public
liability claims against the state and the city?
(6) Is the
minister aware that if the current funding levels to the Swan River Trust
continue, it will take two generations—that is, approximately 40 years
to 2050—before works identified for funding in 2008 will be performed?
FORESHORE — MAINTENANCE
808. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing
the Minister for Environment:
(1) Does the
minister believe that it is either satisfactory or appropriate that the river
walls on either side of Mends Street have deteriorated to such an extent that
they are collapsing into the river whilst the state government is spending $450
million on the Perth Waterfront project directly opposite the damaged walls?
(2) How much
money does the state government allocate to the Swan River Trust each year to
improve the condition of, to replace and to maintain the river walls?
(3) Is the
minister aware that in 2008 the Swan River Trust assessed the condition of the
Swan River foreshore areas and determined that work to the value of $80 million
was necessary to bring the foreshore areas up to an acceptable standard?
(4) Why did the
WA state government not support the application to Infrastructure Australia for
$80 million in funding to address this issue that the City of South Perth made
on behalf of all 21 river local governments?
(5) Is the
minister aware that the City of South Perth has fenced the Swan River in two
prominent locations as a risk management measure to minimise potential public
liability claims against the state and the city?
(6) Is the
minister aware that if the current funding levels to the Swan River Trust
continue, it will take two generations—that is, approximately 40 years
to 2050—before works identified for funding in 2008 will be performed?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for some notice of the question.
(1) The state
government provides funding through the Swan River Trust to deal with priority
areas for shoreline works. Almost $12 million in state funding has gone to
almost 195 projects since 2002. With state government and local government land
manager co-contributions, this represents in excess of $24 million in on-ground
priority foreshore restoration projects. This includes $880 000 announced on 23
August 2012 for 19 projects.
(2) Approximately
$1 million a year is made available for the Swan River Trust's
Riverbank program, which is matched by the adjoining shoreline management body.
(3) The Minister
for Environment is aware of the foreshore assessment and management strategy of
March 2008. That document assessed the condition of and pressures on the entire
shoreline of the Swan Canning Riverpark, suggested management responses and
allocated priorities for action. It did not make any comment on the value of
the required works.
(4) The Minister
for Environment is advised that the Swan River Trust wrote a letter of support
for the City of South Perth's application to Infrastructure Australia.
(5) Yes. The
approach taken on Mends Street was negotiated between the City of South Perth
and the Swan River Trust. The state government, through the Swan River Trust,
provided $13 000 towards the cost of the temporary fencing. The trust also
provided a further $128 000 for other shoreline repairs in this area. In the
past four years, the Liberal–National government has provided the City
of South Perth with close to $1 million for river restoration and revegetation
works. The government is responsible for funding shoreline projects
strategically across the whole Swan Canning Riverpark, which encompasses 21 local
councils, not just South Perth. Of the 21 river councils, South Perth has
received the second-highest amount of funding under the Riverbank program.
(6) Funding
available through the Riverbank program will be allocated each year on the
basis of carefully assessed priorities. The Swan River Trust will continue to
work with all 21 riverfront councils and six state government landholders to
assess areas in need of works. All projects will be considered in line with the
established procedures for Riverbank funding.
member for some notice of the question.
(1) The state
government provides funding through the Swan River Trust to deal with priority
areas for shoreline works. Almost $12 million in state funding has gone to
almost 195 projects since 2002. With state government and local government land
manager co-contributions, this represents in excess of $24 million in on-ground
priority foreshore restoration projects. This includes $880 000 announced on 23
August 2012 for 19 projects.
(2) Approximately
$1 million a year is made available for the Swan River Trust's
Riverbank program, which is matched by the adjoining shoreline management body.
(3) The Minister
for Environment is aware of the foreshore assessment and management strategy of
March 2008. That document assessed the condition of and pressures on the entire
shoreline of the Swan Canning Riverpark, suggested management responses and
allocated priorities for action. It did not make any comment on the value of
the required works.
(4) The Minister
for Environment is advised that the Swan River Trust wrote a letter of support
for the City of South Perth's application to Infrastructure Australia.
(5) Yes. The
approach taken on Mends Street was negotiated between the City of South Perth
and the Swan River Trust. The state government, through the Swan River Trust,
provided $13 000 towards the cost of the temporary fencing. The trust also
provided a further $128 000 for other shoreline repairs in this area. In the
past four years, the Liberal–National government has provided the City
of South Perth with close to $1 million for river restoration and revegetation
works. The government is responsible for funding shoreline projects
strategically across the whole Swan Canning Riverpark, which encompasses 21 local
councils, not just South Perth. Of the 21 river councils, South Perth has
received the second-highest amount of funding under the Riverbank program.
(6) Funding
available through the Riverbank program will be allocated each year on the
basis of carefully assessed priorities. The Swan River Trust will continue to
work with all 21 riverfront councils and six state government landholders to
assess areas in need of works. All projects will be considered in line with the
established procedures for Riverbank funding.
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