Opening of Casuarina Boat Harbour, Bunbury

18/11/95

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today officially opened the Casuarina Boat Harbour at Bunbury and launched a strategy paper on Regional Land Transport.

"The new boat harbour will boost the tourism and development potential of Bunbury and is a State Government initiative, administered by the Department of Transport," Mr Charlton said.

In the first stage, 54 mooring pens have been built, including six for commercial fishing vessels and the remainder for recreational boats. Nine pens have been allocated for boats between 15 metres and 18 metres and 39 pens for smaller length boats.

The boat harbour provides recreational swing moorings for 70 boats, electronic security gates, fuel outlet, upgraded slipway for boats between 30 tonnes and 40 tonnes, service jetty, boat launching ramp and trailer park.  An 80 metre groyne will afford shelter for the boat pens.

The public marina is part of the Bunbury Harbour City Development which is being co-ordinated by the South West Development Commission and the Bunbury City Council.

The 'Which Way Ahead - Regional Land Transport Directions for Western Australia' document is the second in a series being produced by Transport.

In August, Premier Richard Court released the Aviation Strategy document and in December, Mr Charlton will launch the Maritime Strategy document. The Metropolitan Strategy and State Transport Policy documents will be released in the new year.

Mr Charlton said transport was of vital importance to the economy and community and it was essential to have a common understanding of what needed to be achieved and how it was going to be tackled.

"The strategy documents are designed to promote that understanding by outlining the key objectives and actions the Government is taking," he said.

"The Regional Land Transport paper points to the need to improve our competitiveness through stripping away unnecessary regulations, enhancing our infrastructure and ensuring our transport systems are properly co-ordinated."

Mr Charlton called for a joint effort by all Australian Governments to recognise the importance of improving transport infrastructure.

"The Commonwealth clearly has a key role to play in this area," he said.

"Since 1994, Federal fuel excise collections from Western Australia have increased by $536 million, while road funds have decreased by $93 million. The trend must be reversed if we are to seriously address our infrastructure problems."

The Minister said governments should be seen as facilitators and not operators in the economy, making it easier for business to function competitively.

"WA has made some giant steps forward in improving the efficiency of the transport industry," he said.

"During the past decade, Westrail has improved its productivity by 65 per cent, while average freight rates have dropped substantially (for example, grain freight rates down by 45 per cent).

"Australia ranks with the world's best in terms of road transport and would be substantially better than its key competitors such as the United States and Canada, were it not for high Commonwealth taxes on fuel and equipment."

Mr Charlton said the rest of the world would not stand still if we allowed our reforms to stall.

"The 'Regional Land Transport' paper points to the major areas on which we need to concentrate, if we are to sustain our progress," he said.

Media contact:  Ian Hasleby 321 7333