Question Without Notice No. 794 asked in the Legislative Council on 7 November 2017 by Hon Ken Baston
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
794. Hon KEN BASTON to the minister representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the answer to question without notice 749 of 1 November, which reads, ''The Kimberley Ports Authority has commenced the studies and dredging is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018, based on a suitable dredge being available''. I refer also to the long lead times that are often required in securing a dredging vessel.
(1) Has the Kimberley Ports Authority made inquiries about the availability of a dredge in the fourth quarter of 2018?
(2) If yes to (1), can the minister confirm the availability of a dredging vessel during this period; and, if not, why not?
(3) Once a dredging vessel is secured for this work, how soon will the proposed date of the dredging activity be made public?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) An expression of interest to identify capable dredge contractors will be released this calendar year. Following this, a formal procurement process will take place in the first half of 2018.
(3) The proposed date for dredging can be made available to the public after the formal procurement process and environmental approvals have been completed.