Perth Freight Link on the ropes: Supreme Court legal action launched today

source: the greens

Perth Freight Link on the ropes: Supreme Court legal action launched today

Thursday, Sep 10th, 2015

The Australian Greens have welcomed a new legal challenge to the Freight Link project in the Western Australian Supreme Court, predicting that the action could be the final blow to the doomed project.

"The WA Environmental Defender's Office has applied for the Supreme Court to set aside the WA Government's approval of the Roe 8 extension, citing serious bias and conflicts of interest on the part of EPA board members," Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

"The project should never have been given the green light by the EPA, and now that desperately flawed decision is going to have a legal blowtorch put to it.

"This is Premier Barnett's moment of opportunity: to work with the Greens, the Opposition and local residents to resolve Perth's growing freight challenges in a measured and strategic way."

"I am also calling on Greg Hunt to suspend his assessment of the Freight Link until this legal challenge is completed. There is no way that the Minister can reasonably assess this project when is it subject to such serious legal challenge. I'll be looking at options I can take in the Senate to ensure this happens.

this release can be seen on the Greens website HERE

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

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

SHOCK: Infrastructure Australia release Perth Freight Link assessment

source: the greens

SHOCK: Infrastructure Australia release
Perth Freight Link assessment

The Australian Greens have noted the long-anticipated release of Infrastructure Australia's sketchy assessment of the Perth Freight Link project.

"We can understand now why the Barnett Government is so reluctant to release information about the Freight Link. Every time someone does, it damages the case," Senator Scott Ludlam said today.
"The assessment reveals that the Barnett government did not bother to compare the Freight Link with the costs and benefits of developing a dedicated road and rail link to the Outer Harbour in Cockburn Sound.

"12 Freight Link variations were shortlisted, but only one was subjected to a "rapid benefit-cost report". In other words, Premier Barnett only evaluated the option he had already decided to build.
"This is not an assessment: it is a four-lane foregone conclusion through a wetland system, with no plans for what happens after it is built, apart from a catastrophic traffic jam on Stock Road.

"The price tag for Stage One of the freight link has jumped to $1.742 billion - for every three meters of roadway, Premier Barnett proposes to burn a million dollars.

"The IA report damns the Freight Link proposal with faint praise: the project only accrues a 9% value to freight traffic, which implies that planners are assuming the freeway will fill up with private passenger traffic.

"This is a feeble return when the Government's entire argument is based on taking trucks off the road and building us a freight network for the future.

"It is expensive and ill-considered, it still doesn't go anywhere near the port, and opposition is growing by the day. That's the reality of this fright link disaster, and the more we learn about it, the more obvious it becomes that the project is doomed," Senator Ludlam concluded.
Download the Infrastructure Australia Assessment here

Senate inquiry into Barnett's controversial Perth Freight Link announced

source: wa today

Senate inquiry into Barnett's controversial
Perth Freight Link announced

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam is leading the attack on the State Government's Perth Freight Link. Photo: Craig Abraham

The Senate will conduct an inquiry into the Barnett government's controversial $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link.

Senators lead by Scott Ludlam of the Greens have been badgering the federal and state governments to reveal "basic information" about the highway, which will run from Perth Airport down to Fremantle Port.

The Barnett government has also been under fierce attack from the state opposition and Palmyra residents whose homes would need to be bulldozed to make way for WA's first toll highway.

Read more HERE

Senate will hold inquiry into Perth Freight Link debacle - Scott Ludlam Greens MP

source: scott ludlam greens mp

Senate will hold inquiry into
Perth Freight Link debacle

The Greens, ALP and all eight Senate crossbenchers have successfully moved to establish a Senate Inquiry into the Perth Freight Link, increasing the pressure on the besieged Barnett Government.
"The inquiry has been made necessary by the continued refusal of the Barnett and Abbott governments to publish basic information about the toll highway," Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

"Whatever your views on whether this project is a good idea or not, the public is owed an explanation as to how an open-ended funding commitment of up to $2.5 billion was made in the absence of basic information.

"I will propose to the committee that hearings are held in Perth, and that, among others, Minister Dean Nalder and Main Roads are asked to attend. It's time they provided factual evidence to back up their claims that the project is worth torching billions of dollars of taxpayers money."

Read more of this story HERE

Nalder blames Ludlam for Freight delay - The West Australian

source: the west australian

Nalder blames Ludlam for Freight delay

 Nalder becomes confused, again

West Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder has admitted he incorrectly claimed the contentious Perth Freight Link project had received all environmental approvals, including federal.

And he's laid the blame at the feet of the Greens, telling state parliament on Wednesday that the Commonwealth "has had to delay because of a political stunt by Scott Ludlam".

Mr Nalder made the comment about approvals at an earlier press conference but later told parliament he'd received advice that it was incorrect.

He's now angry at Senator Ludlam, who hopes to initiate an inquiry into the $1.6 billion project, given the Abbott government refused a Senate motion ordering it to table further documents about the road's costs and benefits.

Mr Nalder told reporters he was not concerned about an inquiry.

He also said he had good commercial reasons not to reveal those project details, which could prompt proponents to bid using inflated prices.

"We are going through a process and working with proponents as to the appropriate contract and the pricing that goes with that," Mr Nalder said.

"We're not going to put at risk the contract negotiations and put a potentially higher price on anything by putting out information that would put the state in a worse position.

"I have no qualms about the information and the business case behind this - it is a great project."
Mr Nalder said he would share details about the project once the route was finalised, but angry members of the community - including residents who may have their homes resumed to make way for the road - are demanding answers now.

He apologised to Palmyra residents for the uncertainty they're enduring while a tunnel option is considered.

The WA government was "not rushing it" and was mulling over all of the alternatives routes, he added, and the priority was ensuring safe roads and tackling congestion.

Mr Nalder also emphasised the road would only impose tolls on trucks, and said the state government was committed to not extending that to private vehicles.

read the original article from the West Australian HERE

Scott Ludlam gets another on Nalder

source: abc news

Senate inquiry into Perth freight link project would be of no concern, Transport Minister Dean Nalder says

 

Photo: Dean Nalder says he will not compromise the freight link tender process by releasing sensitive information. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)

A Senate inquiry into the $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link project would be "of no concern", West Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder says.

The Senate sought to table documents detailing the cost-benefit analysis and business case for the project but was blocked by the State Government.

WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlum now hopes to initiate a Senate inquiry into the project to probe the data and assumptions behind the road network.

Mr Nalder said he was not concerned by the prospect of a federal inquiry and would not compromise the current tender process by releasing sensitive information.

"We're not going to put at risk the contract negotiations and put a potentially higher price on anything by putting out information that would put the state in a worse (negotiating) position," he said.

The ABC has more on this story HERE

Nalder blames Ludlam for Freight delay - news.com.au

source: news.com.au

WEST Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder has admitted he incorrectly claimed the contentious Perth Freight Link project had received all environmental
approvals, including federal. 

 
AND he's laid the blame at the feet of the Greens, telling state parliament on Wednesday that the Commonwealth "has had to delay because of a political stunt by Scott Ludlam".

Mr Nalder made the comment about approvals at an earlier press conference but later told parliament he'd received advice that it was incorrect. He's now angry at Senator Ludlam, who hopes to initiate an inquiry into the $1.6 billion project, given the Abbott government refused a Senate motion ordering it to table further documents about the road's costs and benefits.

Mr Nalder told reporters he was not concerned about an inquiry. He also said he had good commercial reasons not to reveal those project details, which could prompt proponents to bid using inflated prices.

read the rest from new.com.au HERE

Senate demands Perth freight link documents from Federal Government

source: gian de poloni abc news

Senate demands Perth freight link documents from
Federal Government

The Senate has demanded the release of key documents relating to the $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link highway.

The Senate has given the Federal Government until 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday to release traffic modelling and cost benefits information for the project, as well as any Barnett Government business cases submitted.

It also wants the Infrastructure Australia Board evaluation of the project to be made public.
The freight highway has faced stiff opposition from residents and local government since being allocated $925 million in Commonwealth funding last year.

WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, who moved the motion, said the Government needed to justify the need for the road to taxpayers and release the documents.

READ the rest of this great story HERE

Greens win Senate order for key Perth Freight Link documents

source: scott ludlams greens website

Greens win Senate order for key 
Perth Freight Link documents

The Senate has ordered the Federal Government to produce key documents relating to the Perth Freight Link, supporting a Greens' motion moved by Senator Scott Ludlam this afternoon.

"The WA and federal government have committed more than $1.6 billion of taxpayers' money to an unplanned, maligned and destructive freight freeway that will disfigure suburbs across Perth's southern suburbs, and they've done so without producing any meaningful reports or data to justify their position," Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

Read the rest of this great news HERE 

LAST DAYS TO ASK MINISTER GREG HUNT TO STOP THE CLOCK ON ROE 8

LAST DAYS TO ASK MINISTER GREG HUNT TO STOP THE CLOCK ON ROE 8

Submissions must be in by this Thursday 13 August, so please send Minister Hunt a polite email stating your position on Roe 8 (Perth Freight Link Section 1).

Here's a handy form with suggested points to craft into your own email to Minister Hunt: Action url: grns.mp/no-pfl

No place for a freeway. It's time to let Hunt know.

Thanks Scott Ludlam 

http://www.greghunt.com.au/Contact/ContactGreg.aspx

Past News: Barnett warned of link backlash - The Herald

source: the herald interactive

Barnett warned of link backlash

• People gathered inside and outside Fremantle Town Hall to hear community leaders discuss the Perth Freight Link. Photo by Emmie Dowling

WA premier Colin Barnett is alienating his electorate by pushing for the Perth Freight Link and risks a backlash at the next poll, warns former Cottesloe mayor John Hammond.

The colourful lawyer was one of the speakers at a packed-out public meeting about the link at the Fremantle Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Screens had to be erected in Kings Square because not all the 550-strong crowd could fit inside.

  

click HERE to read the rest of this story from The Herald

PERTH FREIGH LINK NOT THE BEST OPTION - Freo's View

source: freo's view

PERTH FREIGH LINK NOT THE BEST OPTION

It was a packed house at the Fremantle Townhall, that overflowed onto Kings Square, on Tuesday evening for the RETHINK PERTH FREIGHT LINK forum with Federal politicians Allannah MacTiernan and Scott Ludlam and the Mayors of Fremantle, Cockburn, East Fremantle and Melville. The Maritime Union of Australia was represented as was the Residents and Ratepayers Association of Cottesloe. Read more HERE

Roe 8: WRONG WAY, GO BACK - Scott Ludlam

source: Greens Senator Scott Ludlam

Roe 8: WRONG WAY, GO BACK

 Despite the so called budget emergency, Tony Abbott has committed $925 million to build a 'freight' freeway that includes the Roe 8 extension through the Beeliar Wetlands.

FOLLOW THE LINK TO READ MORE - INCLUDES A LINK TO WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL WA MP

http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/roe8

Join the fight to stop the Perth Freight Link - Scott Ludlam

source: Greens Senator Scott Ludlam
  

Join the fight to stop the Perth Freight Link

 

 The Perth Freight Link is a $1.6 billion project to construct 14km of freight freeway through our communities and bushland, including the Beeliar Wetlands. 

PLEASE HEAD OVER TO SCOTT LUDLAMS PAGE TO JOIN THIS FIGHT.

CLICK HERE

Follow On Facebook to stay updated on the Fight Against the Perth Freight Link / Roe 8

Make sure to like and follow all the great resources available on Facebook for Perth Freight Link and Roe 8 Highway information. Here is a list as well as links so you can head there directly to like and follow:

Senator Scott Ludlam
Rethink The Link
Save Beeliar Wetlands
Fremantle Road to Rail Campaign
Please save me I am in the pathway of Roe8
The Fremantle Society
Stop Colin Barnetts ROE 8 Freight Road.
No TOLL roads in WA
Bibra Lake Residents Association
City of Cockburn

Make sure you LIKE and FOLLOW these great pages! 

Information Links to Perth Freight Link and No Roe 8 Campaigns

Hi Everyone, just a reminder to have a look on the right sidebar at the great information links to many excellent Groups who are working to fight this Roe 8 Highway and Perth Freight Link. More links will be added soon as time goes on, but for now please make sure you check out Rethink The Link, Scott Ludlam's Page and Save Beeliar Wetlands for all the latest news.

More videos will be added to the Youtube playlist as well in time, just click on the play button on the left sidebar to start watching (and listening) while you read.