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 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."
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."
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