Annual Report 2008-2009 - Department of Transport

Rail service for South West plantation timber
The Department has been working with the South West plantation timber
industry to have plantation logs transported by rail, rather than road,
between North Greenbushes and the Port of Bunbury. The shift to rail is
intended to avoid the social impacts of timber log trucks travelling on the
South West Highway.
In 2008–09, the Department, in conjunction with the industry and railway
operators, determined the infrastructure and operational costs to reestablish
a rail freight service for this purpose. The Government subsequently
committed $19.45 million for the substantial upgrade that was needed. This
represents a significant investment in rail infrastructure in the South West.
When operational, it is planned to transport an average of 550,000 tonnes of
logs annually by rail.
*This activity also relates to Goal 4.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/freight
High Street, Fremantle upgrading
A study to consider upgrading options for a portion of High Street in
Fremantle to address freight efficiency, high traffic noise levels and safety
concerns, has been largely completed. The study is being undertaken by the
Department with consultants from the ARRB Group Ltd. It is being overseen
by a reference group consisting of representatives from government
agencies, local government, the freight industry and the local community,
and has involved extensive community consultation.
Upgrading of this section of High Street remains a high priority, based on the
assumption that Fremantle Inner Harbour will continue to operate at least
at its current throughput for many years. High Street is the only feasible
transport route providing access to Fremantle Inner Harbour from the east
and south, and is an essential link in this part of Perth’s major road network.
It is anticipated that a final report will be referred to the Minister towards
the end of 2009.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/freight
TravelSmart/LivingSmart
The Department’s Demand Management program (TravelSmart/
LivingSmart) encourages the community to reduce the environmental and
financial costs of car, energy and water use as well as waste disposal.
During 2008–09, the TravelSmart/LivingSmart service was provided to
10,000 households in the City of Mandurah and 5000 households in the City
of Joondalup. Co-funding was provided by the Department of Environment
and Conservation and the two cities. The program encouraged people to use
the Mandurah and Joondalup rail lines instead of travelling by car, and to
reduce their use of energy, water and waste disposal in their homes.
Since its introduction in 2000, the TravelSmart program has encouraged
450,000 people across 26 Western Australian communities to make better
travel choices. The TravelSmart/LivingSmart program to date has reduced
annual car travel by more than 300 million kilometres, reduced greenhouse
gas emissions by an estimated 90,000 tonnes, engaged the community in
seven million extra hours of physical activity and saved over $500 in fuel
costs for every participating household. The program has continued to
achieve the targets required to secure Commonwealth co-funding under the
Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program.
*This activity also relates to Goal 3.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/travelsmart
www.transport.wa.gov.au/livingsmart
Goal 1
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