❓ Question regarding the feasibility of using the existing Mullewa-Meekatharra railway reserve for a new railway line to support the mid-west mining industry, in light of the Oakajee port development. The Minister acknowledges the merit but prioritizes a different alignment based on current proposals.
AnsweredQoN 917Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RAIL LINE - MID-WEST MINING INDUSTRY
My question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Greenough has been on his feet trying to ask a question for about five minutes. I am sure those members interjecting across the chamber are having a great deal of fun, but the member for Greenough has the call. Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
My question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Greenough has been on his feet trying to ask a question for about five minutes. I am sure those members interjecting across the chamber are having a great deal of fun, but the member for Greenough has the call. Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Greenough has been on his feet trying to ask a question for about five minutes. I am sure those members interjecting across the chamber are having a great deal of fun, but the member for Greenough has the call. Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
The SPEAKER : The member for Greenough has been on his feet trying to ask a question for about five minutes. I am sure those members interjecting across the chamber are having a great deal of fun, but the member for Greenough has the call. Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Greenough has been on his feet trying to ask a question for about five minutes. I am sure those members interjecting across the chamber are having a great deal of fun, but the member for Greenough has the call. Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
The SPEAKER : The member for Greenough has been on his feet trying to ask a question for about five minutes. I am sure those members interjecting across the chamber are having a great deal of fun, but the member for Greenough has the call. Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Mr G. WOODHAMS : Given that the minister’s government has decided to appoint a project director to oversee the development of infrastructure associated with the Oakajee deepwater port, its industrial estate and rail access, is the minister prepared to investigate the possibility of using the existing railway reserve between Mullewa and Meekatharra for the purpose of constructing a new railway line to service the burgeoning mid-west mining industry; and, if not, why not? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
There is ultimately merit in a rail line that heads east inland from Mullewa. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : That is right. The opposition does not build rail lines; it closes them down or sells them off and lets someone else close them down. I definitely think there is merit in a rail line heading east from Mullewa. However, the proponents who currently have a proposal before government do not want a rail line that goes in that direction. Their desire is for a rail line that basically heads north-east from Geraldton out to the Jack Hills deposit. The proposal that is currently being worked on, which we would foresee as a privately owned and operated rail line, follows that Jack Hills alignment. The work being done by the project group at this point does not focus on the rail line east of Mullewa. In the fullness of time there is potential for a more general development of the mid-west. In the planning that we are doing for the port and rail access, we are making sure that we do not have the same problems that we incurred in Port Hedland. We are making sure that the rail line from Mullewa has the capacity to get good access into the Oakajee port for future proponents who want a line further west.
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