WITTENOOM — DEMOLITION WORKS
888. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Lands:
Could the minister please update the
house on the progress of demolition of the remaining structures at Wittenoom,
including the expected completion date and estimated cost?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
It is important to note that
demolition works were not able to occur until the state could provide a secure
site to ensure the works did not present a further
risk. This included ensuring all residents had permanently vacated the site.
Due to the ongoing and repeated delays
surrounding the vacation of the site by the last remaining resident, demolition
works have been delayed. However, since the
vacation occurred, initial works to decommission the Wittenoom town site
have progressed and as much work as possible will take place in preparation for
demolition of the structures before the wet
season. Given the complexity of the site, the significant risk to the health
and safety of any contractors accessing the site and the abovementioned
delays, it is not yet possible to provide a clear time frame for the completion of works. The department will continue
to work with Thuroona Services to plan out the demolition works to
recommence after the wet season. The works are currently estimated to cost $4.6
million.