❓ Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister for Energy about a 70% cost blowout in the Mid West energy project and seeks assurance against further increases. Minister Collier acknowledges cost pressures but cannot guarantee no further blowouts, citing a new facilities investment test (NFIT) for cost efficiency.
AnsweredQoN 982Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MID WEST ENERGY PROJECT — COST
I refer to recent corrections to the proposed revisions of the access arrangement for the Western Power network. (1) Why has stage 1 of the Mid West energy project had a 70 per cent cost blow-out in the short time since the release of the draft access arrangement? (2) Given Western Power’s woeful record at estimating the cost of the Mid West energy project, can the minister guarantee that the cost of this project will not blow out any further? Hon PETER COLLIER
I refer to recent corrections to the proposed revisions of the access arrangement for the Western Power network. (1) Why has stage 1 of the Mid West energy project had a 70 per cent cost blow-out in the short time since the release of the draft access arrangement? (2) Given Western Power’s woeful record at estimating the cost of the Mid West energy project, can the minister guarantee that the cost of this project will not blow out any further? Hon PETER COLLIER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
(1) Why has stage 1 of the Mid West energy project had a 70 per cent cost blow-out in the short time since the release of the draft access arrangement? (2) Given Western Power’s woeful record at estimating the cost of the Mid West energy project, can the minister guarantee that the cost of this project will not blow out any further? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
(2) Given Western Power’s woeful record at estimating the cost of the Mid West energy project, can the minister guarantee that the cost of this project will not blow out any further? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
(1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
(1) Why has stage 1 of the Mid West energy project had a 70 per cent cost blow-out in the short time since the release of the draft access arrangement? (2) Given Western Power’s woeful record at estimating the cost of the Mid West energy project, can the minister guarantee that the cost of this project will not blow out any further? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
(2) Given Western Power’s woeful record at estimating the cost of the Mid West energy project, can the minister guarantee that the cost of this project will not blow out any further? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
(1)–(2) I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The Mid West project is a very good project; it really is. It will ensure security of supply to the Mid West region for years ahead. As the honourable member would know, the cost blow-outs were quite extraordinary leading up to our decision to do the first half of that tranche two years ago. It will go through. It is going through a new facilities investment test at the moment to ensure that the costings are efficient. That is the whole point of NFIT—to ensure that the costings are efficient. Inevitably, there are cost pressures with regard to an infrastructure project that we are talking about with that Mid West energy project. I cannot give any guarantees on whether the final costing will be there. I will say at this stage that if it does follow the NFIT, we will follow it accordingly. Sorry, what was the second question? Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon Kate Doust : Can you guarantee there will not be any further cost blow-outs? Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon PETER COLLIER : I cannot guarantee it. We had an estimates hearing a couple of weeks ago on the annual report, and I actually said at that stage we are still on time. I imagine that will all be locked away within the next month or two. It will be completed within a two-year time frame. Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon Kate Doust : You are certainly not on budget; this figure has blown out 70 per cent in one month! Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said, when we are talking about the cost blow-out, as the honourable member would know, the original cost of that project increased from about $389 million to over $600 million. That is why we reduced it. With an infrastructure project of that size, inevitably there will be cost pressures. That is why we have been fastidious to ensure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s to get the project right. I could have quite easily, as energy minister, continued to write cheques or given approvals six or 12 months ago and then have the costs blow out, but we did not do that. That is why I have been absolutely fastidious to ensure that the regulation authority has been involved. We are doing an NFIT to ensure we are prudent and efficient, and we will continue to do so. Having said all of that, I am very comfortable with the process that has been taken. As a minister and as a government, we have been fastidious in the process. I am confident that the first stage of the Mid West project will meet its time line, which is two years. We are probably now looking at early 2014.
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Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.