Annual Report 2008-2009 - Department of Transport

Perth airport transport master plan
In July 2008, preparation of a transport master plan for Perth Airport
commenced through a partnership between key portfolio agencies and
the Commonwealth Government, with substantial project funding support
from the Commonwealth Government. The master plan is to guide future
investment decisions in road and public transport to and around the airport,
and ensure that the airport’s role is not compromised by a lack of transport
facilities. The project is being overseen by a Steering Committee chaired
by the Department, with representation from Main Roads WA, the Public
Transport Authority and the Australian Department of Infrastructure,
Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
During 2008–09, traffic modelling and public transport modelling were
undertaken and results analysed. A rail alignment planning and engineering
study is expected to be completed by August 2009. The master plan is due to
be completed in mid-2010.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/aviation
Mid West Infrastructure Analysis
The Mid West Infrastructure Analysis was released in November 2008,
providing the Government with recommendations to address the critical
infrastructure issues in relation to transport, water/sewerage, energy,
education, social, community health and services along with land-use
planning and housing issues.
The Department prepared the analysis in consultation with local governments
and service providers, and with further input from the Western Australian
Planning Commission.
The report provides a snapshot of existing and forecast social and hard
infrastructure requirements, based on an examination of broad projections
for the growth in population and employment, for 20 local government areas
in the Mid-West region.
The recommendations relate to specific anticipated infrastructure
requirements and identify the responsible agencies and timeframes for
implementation, subject to the availability of funding.
*This activity also relates to Goal 3.
www.planning.wa.gov.au/Publications
North West Corridor review
During 2008–09, the Department progressed a review of the structure plan
for the North West Corridor. Draft reports were prepared on spatial planning,
economic development, transport, demography and infrastructure, as part
of the structure planning process. The North West Corridor review work is
to be used in the development of an urban growth management strategy and
a structure plan for the North West sub region, as described under the new
draft Perth and Peel Spatial Framework, Directions 2031.
This sub region is a major growth area in the Perth Metropolitan region
and the growth management strategy and sub regional structure plan will
ensure that it has an adequate supply of urban land. They will also provide
a contemporary planning framework for urban growth, development of
employment locations and delivery of supporting infrastructure.
The draft urban growth management strategy is scheduled to be released in
November 2009 for public comment.
www.planning.wa.gov.au/Plans+and+policies
Pilbara port development
In 2006, the Department completed an investigation into the need for
a new greenfield port site in the Pilbara and identified Ronsard Island,
about 80 kilometres west of Port Hedland, as the most promising location.
Subsequent work by the Department and the Port Hedland Port Authority,
completed in March 2009, identified the potential for expansion of capacity,
beyond that previously taken into account, at the Port of Port Hedland just
off Finucane Island. Timing considerations made the Outer Harbour port
concept off Finucane Island the preferred site for most current large iron ore
exporters and potential future exporters in the Pilbara.
The Department and the Port Hedland Port Authority have developed a
concept plan for a multi-user Outer Harbour facility with a capacity of 400
million tonnes per annum and are continuing to investigate ways in which
additional capacity can be found within the Inner Harbour of Port Hedland
Port. Work is currently being undertaken on the preferred operating and
financing structure for the Outer Harbour multi-user facility, and progress
is being made in reserving land required for this future port development.
*This activity also relates to Goal 4.
www.dpiwa.gov.au/aboutus
Goal 2
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