Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        Journals of the Senate, 6 February 2017, p. 997.

[2]        Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Perth Freight Link at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=052776-14WA-PKG (accessed 21 February2017).

[3]        Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Perth Freight Link at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=052776-14WA-PKG (accessed 27 February2017).

[4]        Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Perth Freight Link at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=052776-14WA-PKG (accessed 21 February2017).

[5]        Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Perth Freight Link at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=052776-14WA-PKG (accessed 21 February2017).

[6]        The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister, 'Perth Freight Link to improve road safety and ease port access', Media Release, 12 April 2016.

[7]        Note: both these commitments incorporated previously committed funds, namely: $59 million earmarked for Leach Highway/High Street Fremantle upgrades in the 2013–14 Commonwealth Budget; and $59 million committed by Western Australia to upgrades of High Street, Fremantle in the 2015-16 Budget. See 'Infrastructure Growth Package—addition to the Infrastructure Investment Programme for new investments' in Commonwealth Budget 2014–15: Budget Paper No. 2: Expense Measures, p. 175; and Government of Western Australia, Budget 2015–16: Budget Paper No. 2 Budget Statements Volume 2, p. 818.

[8]        These documents are available for download at www.rethinkthelink.com.au/2017/02/17/perth-freight-link-foi-documents-released/ (accessed 2 March 2017).

[9]        See Andrew O'Connor, 'Perth Freight Link: FOI documents revealing cost blowout outdated, Government says', ABC Online, 23 December 2017 at www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-23/main-roads-documents-reveal-cost-blowouts-for-roe-8/8297972 (accessed 27 February 2017).

[10]      Perth Freight Link: Business Case Executive Summary (December 2014).

[11]      Perth Freight Link: Business Case Executive Summary (December 2014), pp. 27–28.

[12]      Perth Freight Link: Business Case Executive Summary (December 2014), p. 3

[13]      Infrastructure Australia, 2014–2015 Assessment Brief: Perth Freight Link, p. 1.

[14]      Infrastructure Australia, 2014–2015 Assessment Brief: Perth Freight Link, p. 1.

[15]      A P90 estimate assumes a 90 per cent probability that the project will be completed to its forecast budget—a more cautious estimate of capital costs that the P50 estimate used by the Business Case.

[16]      Infrastructure Australia, 2014–2015 Assessment Brief: Perth Freight Link, pp. 3–4.

[17]      Mrs Kim Dravnieks, Rethink the Link, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 3.

[18]      The inquiry webpage, including its report, the 228 submissions received and the transcripts of evidence from its two hearings can be accessed at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Perth_Freight_Link

[19]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project (May 2016), p. 57.

[20]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project (May 2016), pp. 57–58.

[21]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project (May 2016), pp. 58–59.

[22]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project (May 2016), p. 58.

[23]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project (May 2016), pp. 59–60.

[24]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project (May 2016), p. 47.

[25]      Perth Freight Link: Business Case Executive Summary (December 2014), p. 3.

[26]      Department of the Environment, Statement of reasons for a decision to approve an action under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), p. 1.

[27]      'Roe 8: Roe Highway extension gets environmental green light', PerthNow, 3 July 2015 at www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/roe-8-roe-highway-extension-gets-environmental-green-light/news-story/6b410604c3c5bace3b568adc734f449f (accessed 27 February 2016); see also Department of the Environment, Statement of reasons for a decision to approve an action under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), p. 2.

[28]      These plans are all available at Main Roads WA, 'Management Plans' at https://project.mainroads.wa.gov.au/roe8/environment/Pages/managementplans.aspx (accessed 28 February 2017).

[29]      The Hon Dean Nalder MLA, Western Australian Minister for Transport, 'Environmental approval for Roe 8', Media Release, 22 October 2015.

[30]      Department of the Environment, Approval, Roe Highway Extension, EPBC 2009/5031.

[31]      Professor John Bailey, The Beeliar Group, Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 41.

[32]      'Roe 8: Aboriginal heritage appeal drawn up against Perth Freight Link extension', ABC Online, 22 January 2016 available at www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-22/roe-8-perth-freight-linkaboriginal-heritage-appeal/7108804  (accessed 27 February 2017).

[33]      Main Roads WA, 'Roe 8 site activity' at https://project.mainroads.wa.gov.au/
perthfreightlink/newsinfo/Pages/default.aspx (accessed 27 February 2017)

[34]      'Roe 8: Aboriginal heritage appeal drawn up against Perth Freight Link extension' ABC Online, 22 January 2016 available at www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-22/roe-8-perth-freight-linkaboriginal-heritage-appeal/7108804  (accessed 27 February 2017).

[35]      Irena Ceranic, 'Perth Freight Link: Roe 8 Aboriginal heritage appeal thrown out', ABC Online, 24 August 2016 at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-24/roe-8-perth-freight-link-aboriginal-heritage-appeal-thrown-out/7780698 (accessed 27 February 2017).

[36]      Journals of the Senate No. 27, 13 February 2017, pp. 917–18.

[37]      Journals of the Senate No. 27, 13 February 2017, p. 920.

[38]      Senate Hansard, 14 February 2017, pp. 1–2.

[39]      Journals of the Senate No. 27, 13 February 2017, p. 918.

[40]      Journals of the Senate, 13 February 2017, p. 923.

[41]      Journals of the Senate, 14 February 2017, p. 948.

[42]      Journals of the Senate, 15 February 2017, p. 979.

[43]      Letter from Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training, to the President of the Senate, dated 15 February 2017.

[44]      The committee's webpage can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/
Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications

[45]      Senate Hansard, 16 February 2017, p. 22.

Chapter 2 - Issues raised

[1]        Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, pp. 46–47.

[2]        Mr Matt Cahill, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 23.

[3]        Ms Katherine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 4.

[4]        Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 16.

[5]        Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 12.

[6]        Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 41. All Management Plans for the project can be found on Main Roads WA's website at https://project.mainroads.wa.gov.au/roe8/environment/Pages/managementplans.aspx (accessed 28 February 2017).

[7]        Ms Katharine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, pp. 10–11. Note: some witnesses referred to bandicoots as quenda, a term derived from the Noongar language.

[8]        Fauna Environment Management Plan, p. 17.

[9]        Fauna Environment Management Plan, p. 17 and Table 7 'Contingency Actions' at p. 30.

[10]      Fauna Environment Management Plan, p. 18.

[11]      Fauna Environment Management Plan, p. 18.

[12]      See Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, p. 6; Ms Katharine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Proof Committee Hansard, p. 11.

[13]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 6.

[14]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Additional Information No. 10 and No. 11.

[15]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 6.

[16]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38.

[17]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38.

[18]      Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 46.

[19]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Additional Information No. 10, p. 29.

[20]      See Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 6; Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 46.

[21]      Fauna Environment Management Plan, Table 7, p. 28

[22]      Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 42; see also Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 15.

[23]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Additional Information No. 10 and No. 11.

[24]      Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 46.

[25]      Ms Katharine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 11; Dr Hugh Finn, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, pp. 42–43.

[26]      Dr Hugh Finn, Submission 4, pp. 2–3.

[27]      Department of the Environment, Approval, Roe Highway Extension, EPBC 2009/5031, p. 5.

[28]      Dr Hugh Finn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, pp. 42–43.

[29]      Ms Phoebe Corke, Wetlands Watchers Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 5.

[30]      Mrs Monica Collins, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 29.

[31]      Ms Katherine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 11.

[32]      See evidence given by Mr Dean Knudson, Deputy Secretary, and Mrs Monica Collins, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy, Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Proof Estimates Committee Hansard, 27 February 2017, pp. 96–97.

[33]      Mr Dean Huxley, Native ARC Inc Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 37.

[34]      Ms Diane Munrowd, Native ARC Inc, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 40.

[35]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38.

[36]      Mrs Monica Collins, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 23.

[37]      Mr Dean Knudson, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 24.

[38]      Mr Simon Writer, General Counsel, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 24.

[39]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38.

[40]      Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 43.

[41]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 39.

[42]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 39.

[43]      Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 44.

[44]      Professor John Bailey, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 44.

[45]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p.3; Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn; Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p.15, Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38. The dieback protocols for the Roe 8 works are contained in the CEMP. See Construction Environmental Management Plan, pp. 11–15.

[46]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 3.

[47]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38.

[48]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38.

[49]      Dr Felicity Bairstow, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 38.

[50]      Mr Bob Bryant, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 7; Ms Alison Wright, Coordinator, Coolbellup Concerned Residents, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 8; Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor of the City of Cockburn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, pp. 14–15.

[51]      Mr Bob Bryant, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 7.

[52]      Mr Bob Bryant, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 9.

[53]      Mr Bob Bryant, Additional Information, Asbestos Laboratory testing results, p. 59.

[54]      Ms Alison Wright, Coolbellup Concerned Residents, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 2.

[55]      Ms Alison Wright, Coolbellup Concerned Residents, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 8.

[56]      Ms Alison Wright, Coolbellup Concerned Residents, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 8.

[57]      Ms Alison Wright, Coolbellup Concerned Residents, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 8.

[58]      See Ms Alison Wright, Coolbellup Concerned Residents, Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 2; Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 6; Mr Andrew Joske, Wetland Watchers; Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 6; Mr Bob Bryant, Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 7; Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn, Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 16; Ms Denise Crosbie, Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre Inc., Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 37.

[59]      Construction Environmental Management Plan, pp. 10–11.

[60]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 2.

[61]      Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 14 and p.16.

[62]      Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 14.

[63]      Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 15.

[64]      Ms Alison Wright, Coolbellup Concerned Residents, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 8.

[65]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 3. Also see Construction Environmental Management Plan, p. 19.

[66]      Ms Katherine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p.  2. Note: the Construction Environmental Management Plan is dated the 29 November 2016 in the footer of the document; the Fauna Environmental Management Plan is dated 13 December 2016 in a similar location.

[67]      Professor Richard Hobbs, The Beeliar Group, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 46.

[68]      Ms Katherine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 12. Note: the Construction Environmental Management Plan is dated the 29 November 2016 in the footer of the document; the Fauna Environmental Management Plan is dated 13 December 2016 in a similar location.

[69]      Miss Phoebe Corke, Wetland Watchers, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 2.

[70]      Ms Katherine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 5.

[71]      Mr Logan Howlett, Mayor, City of Cockburn, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 17.

[72]      Mrs Monica Collins, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 25; see also Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Estimates Proof Committee Hansard, 27 February 2017, p. 103.

[73]      Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Mrs Monica Collins, Assistant Secretary, Estimates Proof Committee Hansard, 27 February 2017, p. 95.

[74]      Mrs Monica Collins, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 25; see also p. 26.

[75]      Mr Matt Cahill, First Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 25.

[76]      Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Mr Matt Cahill, First Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy, Estimates Proof Committee Hansard, 27 February 2017, p. 103.

[77]      Mrs Kim Dravnieks, Rethink the Link, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 3.

[78]      Dr Bradley Pettitt, Mayor, City of Fremantle, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 16.

[79]      Ms Katherine Kelly, Save Beeliar Wetlands, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 5.

[80]      Mr Bruce Edwards, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 24.

[81]      Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, s.144(2A).

Government senators – dissenting report

[1]        Perth Freight Link: Business Case Executive Summary (December 2014), p. 3.

[2]        See Table 3: Benefit Cost Analysis Results, Perth Freight Link: Business Case Executive Summary (December 2014), p. 29.

[3]        See Main Roads Western Australia, 'Perth Freight Link' at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/
BuildingRoads/Projects/UrbanProjects/Pages/Perth-FreightLink.aspx  (accessed 3 March 2017).

[4]        Infrastructure Australia, National Priority List (25 February 2017), p. 2. 

[5]        Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, Submission 6, p. 2.

[6]        Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, Submission 6, p. 2.

[7]        Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, 'Perth Freight Link' at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=052776-14WAPKG (accessed 3 March 2017).

[8]        See Main Roads Western Australia, 'Perth Freight Link' at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/
BuildingRoads/Projects/UrbanProjects/Pages/Perth-FreightLink.aspx  (accessed 3 March 2017).

[9]        See Main Roads Western Australia, 'Perth Freight Link' at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/
BuildingRoads/Projects/UrbanProjects/Pages/Perth-FreightLink.aspx  (accessed 3 March 2017).

[10]      Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, 'Perth Freight Link' at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=052776-14WAPKG (accessed 3 March 2017).

[11]      Report commissioned by Main Roads WA, Perth Freight Link: Potential Urban Outcomes: Section Two Road Options,

[12]      Joe Spagnolo and Kate Camplell, ' WA Speaks: Perth Freight Link, tolls have voter support', Perth Now, at www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-speaks-perth-freight-link-tolls-have-voter-support/news-story/706d07bec798d492b427a8ff43eb6c05 (accessed 3 March 2017).

[13]      See Department of the Environment, Approval, Roe Highway Extension, EPBC 2009/5031 and Report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority: Roe Highway Extension (September 2013).

[14]      See Department of the Environment, Approval, Roe Highway Extension, EPBC 2009/5031 and Report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority: Roe Highway Extension (September 2013).

[15]      Mrs Monica Collins, Assistant Secretary, Compliance and Enforcement, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 25.

[16]      Mrs Monica Collins, Assistant Secretary, Compliance and Enforcement, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 25.

[17]      Mrs Monica Collins, Assistant Secretary, Compliance and Enforcement, Department of the Environment and Energy, Proof Committee Hansard, 23 February 2017, p. 29.