❓ Dr Walker raises concerns about the Trans-Australian Railway's vulnerability to flooding and its impact on WA's supply chains. The Minister outlines alternative road transport arrangements and the development of a national strategic shipping fleet.
AnsweredQoN 445Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TRANS-AUSTRALIA RAILWAY —
FLOODING
445. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer the minister to the recent
closure, due to flooding, of the Trans-Australian Railway line, the second such
forced closure in as many years, which left shelves bare across WA, and noting
that our home is girt by sea, I ask the following question.
(1) What
alternative arrangements does the government have in place ahead of the next
environmental event that washes the line away, to ensure that WA is not
effectively cut off from the rest of the commonwealth?
(2) Although
it is many years since WA state shipping was closed down, why are our coastal
sea lanes not being utilised as a potentially cost-efficient and timely backup?
FLOODING
445. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer the minister to the recent
closure, due to flooding, of the Trans-Australian Railway line, the second such
forced closure in as many years, which left shelves bare across WA, and noting
that our home is girt by sea, I ask the following question.
(1) What
alternative arrangements does the government have in place ahead of the next
environmental event that washes the line away, to ensure that WA is not
effectively cut off from the rest of the commonwealth?
(2) Although
it is many years since WA state shipping was closed down, why are our coastal
sea lanes not being utilised as a potentially cost-efficient and timely backup?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Where
required, Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services can issue temporary special
assistance access permits. These permits are
made available to accredited transport operators to facilitate freight
movements , often from interstate, when the usual freight supply chain
will be interrupted for a prolonged period.
During
previous flooding events, the permits allowed 53.5-metre-long road trains,
under special conditions , to operate from the border to Kalgoorlie and
Coolgardie. Main Roads WA is engaging with national and other jurisdiction
counterparts to streamline the process to provide permits for longer, heavier
vehicles to move freight via the road network. The state government continues
to work with the commonwealth government and industry to identify
infrastructure resilience improvement opportunities.
(2) The WA
government is working with the commonwealth government and industry on the
establishment of a national strategic fleet of vessels, which will be available
for requisition at short notice. The WA government has established a shipping
policy unit in the Department of Transport, which is focused on developing and
enabling capability to address the state's critical shipping needs,
building on the recommendations of the WA shipping and supply chain taskforce.
some notice of the question.
(1) Where
required, Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services can issue temporary special
assistance access permits. These permits are
made available to accredited transport operators to facilitate freight
movements , often from interstate, when the usual freight supply chain
will be interrupted for a prolonged period.
During
previous flooding events, the permits allowed 53.5-metre-long road trains,
under special conditions , to operate from the border to Kalgoorlie and
Coolgardie. Main Roads WA is engaging with national and other jurisdiction
counterparts to streamline the process to provide permits for longer, heavier
vehicles to move freight via the road network. The state government continues
to work with the commonwealth government and industry to identify
infrastructure resilience improvement opportunities.
(2) The WA
government is working with the commonwealth government and industry on the
establishment of a national strategic fleet of vessels, which will be available
for requisition at short notice. The WA government has established a shipping
policy unit in the Department of Transport, which is focused on developing and
enabling capability to address the state's critical shipping needs,
building on the recommendations of the WA shipping and supply chain taskforce.
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