Tier 3 grain freight lines — closure
HON ALISON XAMON (East Metropolitan) [5.34 pm]: I rise tonight to say a few words about one of the debates we had in this place a couple of weeks ago. I indicated that I wanted to rise, but many people wanted to speak and I did not get the chance. So I thought I would make some comments at this point about the debate that occurred about the closure of the tier 3 rail lines. I recognise that there is a significant difference of opinion certainly between the Nationals and the Liberals about where we seem to be with the closure. I heard some very different views, particularly from Hon Jim Chown and Hon Philip Gardiner, about what is proposed with the closure. I was left none the wiser about exactly what is going to happen and whether it is proposed that the lines will be closed. Certainly, there seemed to be strong views from members of the National Party that what is going to occur is still very much under negotiation, whereas members of the Liberal Party seem to be very clearly of the view that we will be looking at closure. I wait to see the outcome of that.
Having said that, as the Greens (WA) have already indicated, we are firmly in the camp of wanting to see as much as possible of the tier 3 rail lines kept open. We recognise that there are many important reasons to ensure that these lines are kept open. It is advantageous to the state and also it is important to have options for farmers. We also recognise the impact on people who live in the metropolitan area. My colleague Hon Lynn MacLaren also outlined some of the global issues that we are concerned about, including carbon output and the like from an increased number of trucks. There are lots of reasons for which we would want to prioritise this issue in the state.
I particularly want to pick up on the suggestion that appeared to emerge that somehow it was not appropriate for members for an upper house metropolitan region to speak on these issues or that if those members did want to speak, it was an issue of self-interest. As a member for the East Metropolitan Region, one of the regions that potentially could be quite adversely affected if we were to look at increased truck movements coming over the scarp and going into Forrestfield, I feel it is my responsibility to raise the sorts of concerns that are being raised directly with me by my constituents. I do not accept that this is the sort of debate that only those who live in and around the Wheatbelt are entitled to comment on. I am not at all suggesting that everyone who is a member for the Wheatbelt region said that, but I certainly do not accept that argument. I think it is important that we recognise that when we talk about a shift from rail to road, we are talking about something that will impact potentially detrimentally on a large proportion of the population. I am here to represent the constituents of the East Metropolitan Region, so I think it is important that I take those responsibilities seriously and represent them.
Having said that, I am concerned about the impact, particularly on farmers. I thought that Hon Philip Gardiner made some really important points. I read his speech again. I thought that a lot of commonsense came through in those comments. As I say, I am not quite sure what is going to happen with the debate within government, but I certainly hope that government takes on board the comments of Hon Philip Gardiner about the protection of the tier 3 rail lines.
Hon Ken Travers: The coalition should make him the Minister for Transport.
Hon ALISON XAMON: What an excellent idea!
I acknowledge that some emerging research indicates that it is more cost effective than what we were looking at in 2009. We can also look at the long-term cost implications because we are talking about the establishment of permanent infrastructure. Of course, it is really just about shifting where we will spend the money. If we are not spending it on rail, ultimately we will have to look at upgrading roads. By no means is that a cheap option anyway.
I also thought that I should use this time to quickly put some voice to constituents in my region. I have been contacted particularly by the Mount Helena Residents and Ratepayers Progress Association. Other members may have also received this correspondence. These people are particularly concerned about what the potential closure of tier 3 lines will mean to them and their lives. I will quote directly from the letter, which I am happy to table —
The direct impact this decision will have on our members’ lives is the resultant large increase in the number of grain trucks which will be using Great Eastern Highway and the feeder roads during harvest. Great Eastern Highway is itself of concern for its questionable condition as a major interstate route and it struggles to cope safely with the current level of traffic.
On that point, as someone who drives up Great Eastern Highway a lot, I actually share their concerns about the state of Great Eastern Highway. The state of the road is already a large concern. These people are entitled to say, “Hold on; it’s already a big safety issue. What is it going to mean if we have to battle with competing trucks?” It will impact on the amenity of their lives. They live in the hills for a particular amenity, and a range of other issues that they are concerned about. I am not so quick to dismiss them. They are entitled to raise these concerns. I have one constituent in particular who texts me every time a grain truck has overturned on Brookton Highway and says, “Oh my goodness; another grain truck has now turned over. What are we going to do about this?” People are already complaining about the level of traffic coming down Brookton Highway. I know that people up that end of the world are particularly concerned about the effect that increased numbers of trucks will have on them.
Of course, the residents of Forrestfield, also in my electorate, are really upset about the idea. They feel they are already battling enough traffic. The eastern suburbs are notoriously left behind with road upgrades. It is already bad enough around there. They say it looks like it will get even worse. I thought I would raise those concerns because, as I say, I am happy to be parochially east metro. I live in east metro; they are the people I represent.
Hon Helen Morton: At least there are a few of us who live in the region.
Hon ALISON XAMON: Yes, and proudly so; and grew up there too, thank you.
I am happy to accept that this is also an issue of concern for people in other regions. This issue impacts particularly on our farmers. Basically, I am saying it is a statewide issue. It was really appropriate for it to be brought to the chamber to be discussed. It is important that we recognise that some of us are going to be representing certain members of the population and some will be representing others, but the important thing is that we have different groups of people expressing similar concerns. I would have thought that that would be a reason why we should push for shared action and push for change. I do not think it is a matter of saying that some people have a right to speak on this and some people do not.
Having said that, I make one final comment. I am happy to table this as well; it is an email from one of the councillors from Mundaring who said he is concerned that it —
... has the potential for a massive effect on the Shire of Mundaring as we have approximately 30-40 kms of Great Eastern Highway running right down the middle of our district. Hundreds of extra grain freight trucks on the highway each week will cause major dangers to road users as well as major environmental noise effects for our residents. Townsites of Mundaring, Sawyers Valley and Glenforrest will be massively impacted and intersections such as Darlington Rd and GE Highway, Hardy Rd and GE Highway, Sawyers Rd and GE Highway, Old Northam Rd and GE Highway, Great Southern highway and GE Highway, Mann St and GE Highway, oppin Rd and GE Highway as well as Scott St and GE Highway will become even more dangerous.
Those concerns need to be heard. I thought that I should add my voice to that.
Hon Ken Travers: Can I also say that if he is a councillor, I would encourage him to get his council to join the Wheatbelt Railway Retention Alliance.
Hon ALISON XAMON: Certainly.