New port a good idea, says Barnett

New port a good idea, says Barnett

source: western suburbs community news

COTTESLOE MLA Colin Barnett has indicated faster planning for a new Kwinana container port following community opposition to the Perth Freight Link (PFL).

“It might be a good idea to make a decision on a new outer harbour very soon, but even if we started today it wouldn’t be operating for 10 years,” Mr Barnett told a North Fremantle Community Association PFL meeting last Tuesday.

The new port had a claimed cost-benefit ratio of about $8.76 generated for each dollar spent when the Labor Opposition approved the concept design in 2007. Mr Barnett said a report he had read indicated the PFL had a cost-benefit ratio of “about 2.5”, and he said a new port could cost “about $4 billion”.

He said cost could also prevent the not-yet-designed section of the PFL from South Lake to North Fremantle, but the Roe 8 component through Beeliar wetlands to Stock Road, costing “less than $500 million”, would be built, taking a claimed 2000 trucks off Leach Highway daily.

Some of Mr Barnett’s western suburbs’ electors fear the PFL will funnel more trucks and cars to Curtin Avenue and Stirling Highway, after the Fremantle Port Authority estimated trucks using its wharves would quadruple to 13,200 daily by 2030.

Mr Barnett said he could not guarantee Cottesloe and Mosman Park residents would have fewer trucks from the PFL, but there could be “a string of financial incentives” and “a compulsion” for trucks to use the PFL south to Roe Highway.

No decisions had yet been made about the interchanges and flyovers needed for the PFL.

He said even if the 14 per cent of port containers now carried by rail was increased to 30 per cent, an eventual doubling of Fremantle Port containers would still mean 70 per cent were moved on trucks.

Please read the original article HERE from Community News

Residents still in limbo over Roe 9

Residents still in limbo over Roe 9 

source: Fremantle Gazette

Premier Colin Barnett at last week’s North Fremantle Community Association Meeting.

THE uncertainty felt by residents living along two proposed routes for Roe 9 will continue, with the State Government no closer to deciding which avenue it will choose for stage two of the $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link (PFL).

The State Government is also no closer to finding a solution to extend the PFL from Stirling Bridge into Fremantle Port.

But any hope these challenges would sway the State into working instead towards an outer harbour at Cockburn Sound have been stopped in their tracks, with Premier Colin Barnett warning that environmental groups are sure to perk up once the dock is put firmly on the agenda.

Mr Barnett last week reiterated comments from State Treasurer Mike Nahan that Roe 8, the 5.2km link from Roe Highway to Stock Road, was good to go.

“I expect the contracts for construction of Roe 8 to be signed well before Christmas and I expect construction to begin early 2016,” he said.

But residents in Hamilton Hill, Palmyra and White Gum Valley, who are situated along two alternative routes linking Stock Road to Stirling Bridge, are still no wiser about their future.

“That connection is still a long, long way away and very different to the Roe 8 issue,” Mr Barnett told a packed North Fremantle Community Hall last Tuesday evening.

The Government is also battling to find a solution for the last piece of the Perth Freight Link puzzle: getting trucks across the Swan River. Sustainability expert Peter Newman said a solution “looks almost impossible”.

“It’s quite possible the only thing is to go over the top of the Stirling Bridge,” he said.

“It seems to be the only thing the engineers are saying to me.

“Certainly the tunnelling won’t work. There is no safe solution to that last bit.”

But the issues have not encouraged Mr Barnett to turn his attention to the outer harbour at Cockburn Sound, which he said would come under intense scrutiny when planning finally got started.

“There is no doubt at some stage you will see the development of a container facility in Cockburn Sound,” Mr Barnett said.

“But that is going to be a contentious project; it will be heavily opposed, probably quite validly on environmental grounds, on recreational grounds for people who sail and boat and fish in the area.

“That’s going to be a very intrusive construction out into the middle of Cockburn Sound.”

Prof Newman said any PFL should be headed to an outer harbour because of WA’s growing “knowledge economy” and because container terminals should not be in the heart of a city, as is the case in Fremantle.

Mr Barnett said he would rather progress Roe 8 now than wait 10 years for an over-flow outer harbour to be built.

The original article, can and should be read HERE

Mayors exchange words

Mayors exchange words

source :FREMANTLE GAZETTE

Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey.

MELVILLE Mayor Russell Aubrey has criticised the City of Cockburn for backing a $290 million road project to unlock traffic in Perth’s south-east.

Mr Aubrey said Cockburn’s bid to secure funding for a bridge from North Lake Road over the Kwinana Freeway and to widen Armadale Road appeared like a grab for “Melville’s road funding” to fast track less important infrastructure.

“It’s taken me and the City of Melville 15 years of lobbying to get the funding for the extension of Kwinana Freeway to the Fremantle Port that will complete the Link and create a bypass for Melville, Cockburn and Fremantle – just in time to handle the projected traffic growth,” he said.

“I’ll be working closely with the electors of the City of Melville to ensure we aren’t cheated, bullied or politically blackmailed out of safer, free-flowing road network.”

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the $290 million Community Connect South project centred on an upgrade of existing infrastructure and advocating for integrated transport opportunities.

“There is no single solution to congestion on Perth’s roads and the City has been consistent in advocating for improved infrastructure with maximum community benefit,” he said.

Mr Aubrey also argued it was hypocritical for Cockburn to oppose the $1.6 Perth Freight Link (PFL) on environmental grounds, then support an outer harbour at Cockburn Sound.

An outer harbour is expected to bring significant environmental challenges, as the PFL has.

Mr Howlett said the City’s opposition of the Perth Freight Link was based on environmental, social and economic grounds, adding that it was aware of the challenges associated with an outer harbour.

“Supporting an outer harbour in principle does not equate to forfeiting environmental approvals or due diligence,” he said.

Please click the link HERE to read the original article

Residents told to dig in for best cutting

Residents told to dig in for best cutting

Jon Bassett | August 31, 2015, 3:00 PM | FREMANTLE GAZETTE

Cole Hendrigan’s impression of a 30m PFL trench, or cutting, past Royal Fremantle Golf Course.

SWANBOURNE residents living next to a truck highway cutting say East Fremantle residents facing Perth Freight Link (PFL) road cuttings and flyovers should dig in and argue for the best and expensive designs for the road works.

“Just don’t let them bull-ride over you, and have a say on the final product,” Swanbourne resident Sylvia Peterson said.

The State Government estimates PFL cuttings and flyovers that eliminate traffic lights will shorten Fremantle Port container truck trips by nine minutes.

Most Swanbourne residents who spoke to Community said they now liked the 1.5km West Coast Highway cutting that cost |$29.7 million in 1999, including sound-deadening bricks and 2.8m private boundary walls that were installed after they lobbied Cottesloe MLA and Premier Colin Barnett.

“But we’re up high, and look over the cutting, and it’s not that bad, but if you were further down the hill or right close to it, it would be awful,” Swanbourne resident Patrick Gillespie said.

Neighbouring Cottesloe residents fought against the cutting’s dual carriageway going south on to Curtin Avenue, where there are now bottlenecks.

The Government has now allocated $40 million to realign the southern end of Curtin Avenue, 3.5km farther south, potentially leaving Cottesloe between upgraded sections of a long-mooted coastal highway, which critics fear could be completed if trucks rat-run to the northern suburbs to avoid the PFL’s toll.

“People along the PFL from Fremantle may not realise just how deep a cutting can go, how ugly it is, how it cut a suburb in half, and while the material and engineering for the Swanbourne project were top-end, they can’t expect that again with a cash-strapped Government,” Cottesloe resident and councillor Sally Pyvis said.

Curtin University transport researcher Cole Hendrigan said by using “basic engineering” he estimated the PFL would be 20m-30m deep through Royal Fremantle Golf Course, in East Fre-|mantle, after being 6.5m deep under nearby Marmion Street, East Fremantle.

“Now, this may seem alarmist, but without some sort of public disclosure we are all left to guess how they will engineer their trench in a complex urban and topographical setting,” Mr Hendrigan said.

Main Roads WA did not reply to questions before deadline.

A PFL Forum will be held at Tricolore Community Centre, Wauhope Road, East Fremantle, at 6.30pm on Wednesday, September 2.

Perth Freight Link Tendering Companies

 All three lead companies tendering for the Roe 8 extension of the Perth Freight Link project have made statements proclaiming their commitment to the environment and communities – but will they stand by those statements, leaving the Beeliar Wetlands and our communities intact?

Leighton Contractors: 
Their Environmental Strategy states they are “building a future that….safeguards the natural environment” and outlines a commitment to ‘minimising the impact of our business activities on the environment and surrounding communities’.

 So what are they doing bidding for a project that will destroy our Kings Park of the South?

Write to the CEO of Leighton Contractors, Roman Garrido today.

Clough:
Clough’s annual report states “Our goal is Zero Harm to our people, the environment and communities in which we work”.

So how can building a highway through the most popular recreation area in Perth’s south be ‘zero harm’ to communities?

Write to Clough CEO Kevin Gallagher today.

BGC: 
The BGC website says “Our aim is to always conduct business in line with the community’s desire to protect the natural environment”.

Then why do they want to build a road that will destroy the Beeliar Wetlands against the community’s wishes?

Write to BGC CEO Greg Heylen today. 

*There are actually 14 companies involved in the tendering bids. Our campaign is targeting the lead 3 but the full list is below.

 

‘Love Me Tender – tell the Perth Freight Link tenderers to walk away’ Senator Scott Ludlam, The Greens (Oz)…

https://theinterpretor.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/love-me-tender-tell-the-perth-freight-link-tenderers-to-walk-away-senator-scott-ludlam-the-greens-oz/

 

YOU MUST FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE TENDERING COMPANIES OF THE PERTH FREIGHT LINK!

2011 Animated Flyby of the Roe 8 Extension

IRRESPONSIBLE FREIGHT LINK THREATENS WA’S GROWTH

THE HON ALANNAH MACTIERNAN MP
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
MEMBER FOR PERTH

IRRESPONSIBLE FREIGHT LINK T
HREATENS WA’S GROWTH

The $1.76 billion Perth Freight Link lobbed like a UFO onto the Abbott Government’s first Budget in May 2014.

The sorry genesis of this project tells us a lot about the absurdly partisan way the Abbott Government does business. 

At the beginning of 2014 the Federal Government had a problem. It was about to take $500 million out of the Budget promised to Perth rail project, because Tony Abbott had declared he would never fund urban rail. 

The Abbott Government knew it had to fill that hole to stop an uprising in WA, a state already suffering from a plummeting GST share.

So Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann flew across the Nullarbor in February to sit down with our Transport Minister Dean Nalder.

Mr Nalder went in to pitch for funds for an outer harbour at Kwinana – a plan developed over 20 years by successive governments, both Liberal and Labor, to keep WA’s economy growing once Fremantle port reached its capacity around 2022.

Even the Barnett Government had continued this planning – its 2008 ‘Vision for the Port of Fremantle’ committed the Liberal Party to progressing the outer harbour, and right up until mid-2014, WA Government agencies were still assessing the project.

But 45 minutes into the meeting, Mr Nalder walked out with a cobbled together mix of the Roe Highway Stage 8 extension and upgrades to Fremantle roads in his hand – rebranded as the Perth Freight Link. 

In fact, Freedom of Information searches have shown us that the first contact between Commonwealth and State agencies to provide advice on the cost-benefit and design of the project occurred in mid-March 2014, just two months before it was announced. There was no careful planning and no Infrastructure Australia assessment prior to the announcement.

The problems with this project have been well documented; the destruction of wetlands, the threat to homes and businesses, the ludicrous fact that it stops 1.5km short of the port, forcing a bottleneck at Stirling Bridge. Dealing with the latter two problems will add at least $700 million to the project. 

But the real threat to WA’s future is throwing billions of dollars at a short-term solution that does not address the need for a new port in less than 10 years. 

That’s why infrastructure projects need extensive and transparent planning: to ensure the dollars are being spent in the most effective places.

In 2002 the WA Labor Government undertook an exhaustive freight network review to work out how best to deal with WA’s growing freight needs. 

We knew back then that smashing a highway through suburban Fremantle to reach a port that was nearing capacity wasn’t the answer – that’s why we removed the Fremantle Eastern Bypass from Perth’s planning schemes. 

So we developed a six-point plan for freight. Part of that did involve road upgrades through Fremantle – but critically, it involved planning on the outer harbour as a matter of urgency. 

So much so that Labor committed to building the outer harbour in 2005.

The Perth Freight Link is an irresponsible, ill-planned project that will worsen the congestion problems around Fremantle and threaten WA’s future freight trade growth by leaving us short of critical port capacity. 

If the Barnett and Abbott Governments are serious about future proofing WA’s industries they should get on with planning and developing the outer harbour, and avoid wasting scarce taxpayer money on outdated roads to a constrained port. 

This article was first published in The Sunday Times on Sunday, 30 August 2015.

IMPORTANT***‘ RETHINK PERTH FREIGHT LINK’ PUBLIC FORUM

‘RETHINK PERTH FREIGHT LINK’ PUBLIC FORUM

‘Rethink Perth Freight Link’ Public Forum. Doors open 5.30 pm. Cottesloe Civic Centre. Speakers include Greens Senator Scott Ludlam and Leader of the Opposition Mark McGowan. Organised by SOS Cottesloe Inc (Residents and Ratepayers Association). For more information visit www.rethinkthelink.com.au .

Event Date and Time: 

Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Location / Address: 

Cottesloe Civic Centre

PREMIER BARNETT ON THE PERTH FAILED LINK

Freo's View

PREMIER BARNETT ON THE PERTH FAILED LINK

Posted in fremantle, perth freight link by freoview on August 26, 2015

The North Fremantle Community had invited WA Premier Colin Barnett and CUSP Professor Peter Newman for a Q&A on the proposed PERTH FREIGHT LINK and the community came out en-masse and there was standing room only. Former Premier Carmen Lawrence was there, as were author and comedian Ben Elton and Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk. Freo Mayor Brad Pettitt was there, and it is election time, four Councillors also attended.

It was a surprisingly civil event with not much aggression. Colin Barnett was relaxed and matter of fact about how difficult Stage 2 of the project will be, reassuring the crowd that nothing had yet been decided because it was near impossible to find what he called an elegant solution to get trucks from Roe 8 to Fremantle Port. He stressed the route had not been finalised yet and engineers had not designed the road and/or tunnel, and the environmental work also had not been done yet. “No one will be making a decision tomorrow.” the Premier said, pointing out his cabinet and not the departments would make the final decision.

But he was adamant, and said it several times, that Roe 8 will be built. “No road has been studied as much as the Roe 8 and it will be built so it has minimal impact on the Beeliar wetlands.” Barnett assured the crowd. It will take 2,500 trucks per day off Leach Highway, he claimed.

The Premier also said it was impossible to get all containers to the port by rail and that the 14% we have in WA was the highest freight on rail of any port in Australia, but it was desirable to increase that. At least 70% of freight would be going by truck, and we are talking about 1,2 million containers that need to be moved around the city.

Barnett pointed out that WA accounts for 50% of international trade in Australia and that trade is going up because people buy more washing machines from China, etc. He also pointed out that even when an outer harbour is built at Cockburn Sound, that would take ten years, Fremantle Port will continue as a port and the outer harbour would initially be an overflow port only, but there would be severe environmental impacts on an outer harbour in that location and it “Will be contentious.”

Professor Peter Newman agreed on quite a few points with Colin Barnett but said there was a significant shift in the world to drive less and that urban rail is growing around the word. The Perth Freight Link is not good planning when the end is not clear, he said and “No one questions that the process is flawed.” “We need more intermodal hubs like the one in Kewdale.”

Newman said the economy will grow but there would be more growth in the non-resources-based industries.

Questions were asked about diesel fume pollution and health impact on the North Fremantle community and if health studies had been and would be done, and why pervious and the present governments had not made a start on the outer harbour when it would take so long to be built. The Premier assured the Perth Freight Link was not being built to support the sale of Fremantle Port.

Building an outer harbour would be the biggest infrastructure project ever done in this state Colin Barnett said, and that it would cost $ 4 billion. “It is a daunting project with enormous issues!”

Peter Newman said the PFL “Was the biggest threat I have seen to the future of Fremantle.” and former Councillor Anna Forma said it would be the end of North Fremantle and the area won’t survive this.

Barnett said he had no argument with building more public transport but what will we do with a million plus containers, and that he did not believe in doing nothing for ten years until an outer harbour might be built.

One of the last and most powerful words came from Kate Kelly of the Save Beeliar Wetlands who said there were significant defects in the environmental assessments of Roe 8 and they would take up a legal fight. “See you in court!”

I believe community information session like this one are very good and should happen more often, but I wonder why neither Barnett nor Newman went into details on the impact an outer harbour would have on Cockburn Sound.

Roel Loopers

ROEL FPOR FREO! TRULY INDEPENDENT

source: community news
Jon Bassett | August 25, 2015, 12:00 AM 

Cuttings considered

SWANBOURNE residents next to a highway cutting carrying trucks say southern suburbs’ residents facing Perth Freight Link (PFL) cuttings and flyovers should insist on suitable designs.

“Just don’t let them bull-ride over you and have a say on the final product,” Servetus Street resident Sylvia Peterson said.

The State Government estimates cuttings and flyovers to eliminate stop lights will shorten Fremantle Port container truck trips by nine minutes on the mooted $2.5 billion toll route.

Most Swanbourne residents who spoke to the Western Suburbs Weekly said they now liked the 1.5km West Coast Highway cutting that cost $29.7 million in 1999, including sound-deadening bricks and 2.8m boundary walls that were installed after they lobbied Cottesloe MLA Colin Barnett, who is not expected to attend a Cottesloe PFL forum next Tuesday.

“But we’re up high and look over the cutting and it’s not that bad, but if you were further down the hill or right close to it, it would be awful,” Servetus Street resident Patrick Gillespie said.

Cottesloe residents fought against the cutting’s dual carriageway going south into their suburb through Curtin Avenue, where it now bottlenecks.

The Government has allocated $40 million to move the avenue 3.5km further south to near the port, potentially leaving Cottesloe between upgraded sections of a long-mooted coastal highway that critics fear could be built for trucks avoiding the PFL’s toll.

PFL opponent and Cottesloe councillor Sally Pyvis said while the “costly” Swanbourne cutting had improved some amenity, Curtin Avenue’s upgrade could be “cheap and cheerless” with tilt-up concrete sound barriers.

The route is used by 1121 trucks daily and could increase to 3363 2030.

The FULL story can be read HERE from Community News

Residents’ rethink call

The proponents for this highway have a nasty habit of completely dis-regarding public opinion - endlessly. It will be interesting come election time to see who remains.

source: community news
Bryce Luff | August 25, 2015, 2:00 AM | FREMANTLE GAZETTE

Residents’ rethink call

THE City of Melville says it will support the Perth Freight Link until at least September when it considers a motion put forward by residents.

Last week an electors meeting was held, with residents requesting the city back away from supporting the controversial road until it undertook a new, open and transparent community consultation on the PFL with residents and ratepayers.

Having resolved to support the road in July, chief executive Shayne Wilcox said the city would not change its stance.

“The city cannot and will not pre-empt any decision of council,” he said.

Rethink the Link co-|convener Kim Dravnieks said there was serious opposition from the community for the $1.6 billion project to link Roe Highway to the Fremantle Port.

She said residents were concerned not only for Palmyra, but for other suburbs outside the City of Melville and in the path of the proposed toll road.

“We just need to keep putting pressure on council and the State and Federal Governments,” she said.

“We aren’t getting the data we want and we haven’t been consulted properly.”

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the clear message from an increasing number of local governments and their communities was for the immediate stop to the PFL.

“There needs to be a round- table series of meetings called by the Premier to examine alternative options to the proposed route of the PFL,” he said.

“Reviewing the Infrastructure Australia Report would be a good starting point.”

That report, which was released last week, drew criticism from a number of fronts.

READ the rest of this article can HERE at Community News

Check out Colin Barnett's comments at the bottom of the page. It's comments like that which highlight just how much this guy doesn't fit the role he's filling. West Australians in general aren't properly represented by how this man speaks, and his outlook. It's time for a change.

Timing of 'complex, expensive' Perth freight link still unclear, WA Premier says

Continuing uncertainty over the timing of the Perth Freight Link to Fremantle will not be resolved until construction contracts are signed, WA Premier Colin Barnett has told Parliament.

The State Government has been under pressure over conflicting estimates from Transport Minister Dean Nalder, and repeated statements by the Premier suggesting construction of stage two to the Fremantle Port may be delayed.

Flanked by Federal Finance Minister Matthias Cormann, Mr Nalder told reporters at the weekend that the project would begin construction next year.

Senator Cormann reiterated that view, but within 24 hours Mr Barnett had again suggested the timeline was ambitious and may not be met.

In Question Time today, Opposition Transport spokeswoman Rita Saffioti pushed the Premier for an answer.

"We will know, when we get to the point of determining a route, of having all the necessary approvals in place, having the contracts signed, and construction commissioned," Mr Barnett said.

"And no-one can put an exact timing on that. No-one can."

The Perth Freight Link is being planned in two stages.

The first stage, known as Roe 8, extends the Roe Highway from Kwinana Freeway to Stock Road.

The second stage, known as Roe 9, would link Roe Highway to the Fremantle Port by an as-yet undetermined route.

The initial plan, to create the freight link along Stock Road to Leach Highway and High Street, has been put on hold while the three proponents for the project explore alternative routes.

Those proposals are expected to be submitted to Government by the end of the year, but Mr Nalder has already expressed his preference for a route involving a tunnel under White Gum Valley.

Contracts for Roe 8 are due to be awarded in October, and contracts for Roe 9 in December, the same month the proponents are due to hand over their route options.

Mr Barnett told Parliament the complexity of the project meant the timeline had not been finalised.

"It is complex, it is expensive, it will take some time," he said.

Mr Barnett said he was concentrating on getting Roe 8 started.

"You'll complain about that, won't you? You'll be out there with posters complaining about Roe 8. Well just watch it get built," he said.

"And when we get that underway, we'll move our attention increasingly to the link to the Fremantle Port."

see the original article here