SOUTH WESTERN HIGHWAY
968. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to increasing truck
movements on South Western Highway between Greenbushes and Bunbury.
(1) What is the
current estimated number of daily truck movements on South Western Highway
between Greenbushes and Bunbury?
(2) Is the minister aware of concerns from
constituents who live in communities along South Western Highway about
the number of truck movements through their towns, specifically in relation to
the safety of their children and the impact on their environment?
(3) What is the
estimated cost of re-opening the rail line between Greenbushes and Bunbury?
(4) Will the
government assist those industries that are responsible for increased truck
movements on this section of South Western Highway to move their operations to
rail?
Hon
SAMANTHA ROWE replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question and provide the following answer on behalf of the
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Transport.
(1)–(4) Heavy
vehicles are essential to Western Australia's economy and a necessity
for the transport of goods across the state. On average, 1 146 heavy vehicles a
day travel between Greenbushes and Bunbury along South Western Highway. In an
effort to improve both road user and pedestrian safety, many of the small towns
between Greenbushes and Bunbury have recently had their speed limits reduced to
40 kilometres an hour. The government strongly supports the movement of freight
via rail. The reinstatement of the Greenbushes–Picton
rail line is a key initiative identified in the Department of Transport's
south west supply chain strategy. The transport portfolio awaits
outcomes of work being undertaken by industry proponents to identify the costs
associated with reinstating the Greenbushes–Picton rail line and the
feasibility of using it in place of road transport.