Senate calls for key Perth Freight Link documents

The Senate has backed a second Greens' motion calling for the release of key Perth Freight Link documents.

*790 Senator Ludlam: To move—That—

(a) the Senate notes the non-transparent process the Barnett and Abbott governments have followed in relation to the Roe 8 Extension and Perth Freight Link; and

(b) there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 12 August 2015, the following documents which are not publicly available but crucial to the assessment process:

(i) the draft Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Perth and Peel Region, including any advice requested from the Western AustralianGovernment on its progress,

(ii) evidence that the proponent‘s offset proposal can be met,

(iii) any completed Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys and evidence of the Western Australian Department of Aboriginal Affairs Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee ‘sign off‘ on the Roe 8 Extension,

(iv) evidence of formal consultation with Whadjuk Noongyar representatives,

(v) any evidence to support the proponent‘s assertion on the Main Roads Western Australian website that the Whadjuk Noongyar people support the Roe 8 Extension and Perth Freight Link,

(vi) evidence that the Hope Road Swamp (Roe Swamp) site was deregistered during the time of environmental assessment on the Roe 8 Extension,

(vii) any survey work on the Mound (tumulus) Spring Inquiry post-September 2013, and any advice on exact weighting of various Mound Spring categorisation criteria,

(viii) the independent modelling on the increased traffic, diesel particulate pollution, and noise pollution due to the increased scale and size of the Perth Freight Link project since the project was submitted for assessment in 2009,

(ix) any material, including maps, relating to alignments for the Perth Freight Link through North Fremantle,

(x) evidence of consideration of alternatives to the proposed Perth Freight Link, and

(xi) the business case for the Perth Freight Link.