Ms LAWRIE - 2003-06-17
As I am an aficionado of train travel having travelled on trains throughout the world, could you please inform the House on the progress of construction of the Alice Springs to Darwin railway. When we can see the first train into Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, an important question from the member for Karama. It certainly contrasts with the grubby tactics that we have seen from the opposition. This government will talk about jobs and prosperity for Territorians, not about grubby allegations, which marks what kind of opposition we have.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, just cease …
Ms Carter interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Members of the opposition - member for Port Darwin, you are interjecting far too much today.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I am sure the House and Territorians will be very pleased to know that our railway project, ‘our’ meaning our Territory railway project, is progressing well. It is 80% complete, and over 1000 km of track of that 1420 km has been laid. All the bridges are done. Of the 2 million concrete sleepers that we are producing in Katherine and Tennant Creek, 1.7 million have been produced. Of the contracts that have been let for the railway, $650m-worth have been let to Territory companies, which is a direct boost to the prosperity of companies right across the Territory.
At this stage, the direct employment is winding down from the peak of 1450 last year to around half that number, around 700. We are expecting construction to be completed by the end of the year.
Of course, the anticipation, as indicated by the member for Karama, is when the first train will run. FreightLink have announced that that first freight train will run from Adelaide to Darwin. It will leave Adelaide on 15 January next year and will arrive in Darwin on 17 January. It will be an opportunity for community celebrations to take place right along the track, especially, I suspect, between the Alice Springs and Darwin leg.
The government has allocated $200 000 to assist with the facilitation of those first train community celebrations. The arrival of that first train is the start of demonstrating that the Territory is Australia’s gateway to Asia. We will have a new central trade corridor. This is not only for domestic freight, but also for imports and exports. It really is about building the Territory’s capacity, building a new freight route, and opportunities and jobs for Territorians. That is the first freight train that will be arriving in Darwin on 17 January next year. Shortly after that will be the first Ghan passenger train. The details of that will be announced by the operators, Great Southern Railway. The tickets for that journey crossing Australia go on sale this Thursday, 19 June.
The railway, like gas, will change the face of the Territory and bring new opportunities for jobs and business. It provides a new link between Australia and our markets to the north for both import and export. FreightLink is currently looking at the immediate domestic load as 350 000 tonnes of fuel and general products will be on that first rail, and believe that they can increase this about three fold in the next few years of operations, probably up to a figure of about 800 000 tonnes. As indicated by the trip in March by FreightLink and government to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, FreightLink are actively building the opportunities for import and export.
The journey from Adelaide to Darwin will be a magnificent one. I am very heartened by the reports that there is increasing interest in taking the Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin. The prospects for being able to increase that once-a-week journey are looking very good. It will be a time for celebration for Territorians and we are pleased to be able to put $200 000 towards making that happen. It will be a Territory and community event in the school holiday period, and there will be wonderful celebrations by Territorians when that first train arrives in Darwin on 17 January.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, an important question from the member for Karama. It certainly contrasts with the grubby tactics that we have seen from the opposition. This government will talk about jobs and prosperity for Territorians, not about grubby allegations, which marks what kind of opposition we have.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, just cease …
Ms Carter interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Members of the opposition - member for Port Darwin, you are interjecting far too much today.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I am sure the House and Territorians will be very pleased to know that our railway project, ‘our’ meaning our Territory railway project, is progressing well. It is 80% complete, and over 1000 km of track of that 1420 km has been laid. All the bridges are done. Of the 2 million concrete sleepers that we are producing in Katherine and Tennant Creek, 1.7 million have been produced. Of the contracts that have been let for the railway, $650m-worth have been let to Territory companies, which is a direct boost to the prosperity of companies right across the Territory.
At this stage, the direct employment is winding down from the peak of 1450 last year to around half that number, around 700. We are expecting construction to be completed by the end of the year.
Of course, the anticipation, as indicated by the member for Karama, is when the first train will run. FreightLink have announced that that first freight train will run from Adelaide to Darwin. It will leave Adelaide on 15 January next year and will arrive in Darwin on 17 January. It will be an opportunity for community celebrations to take place right along the track, especially, I suspect, between the Alice Springs and Darwin leg.
The government has allocated $200 000 to assist with the facilitation of those first train community celebrations. The arrival of that first train is the start of demonstrating that the Territory is Australia’s gateway to Asia. We will have a new central trade corridor. This is not only for domestic freight, but also for imports and exports. It really is about building the Territory’s capacity, building a new freight route, and opportunities and jobs for Territorians. That is the first freight train that will be arriving in Darwin on 17 January next year. Shortly after that will be the first Ghan passenger train. The details of that will be announced by the operators, Great Southern Railway. The tickets for that journey crossing Australia go on sale this Thursday, 19 June.
The railway, like gas, will change the face of the Territory and bring new opportunities for jobs and business. It provides a new link between Australia and our markets to the north for both import and export. FreightLink is currently looking at the immediate domestic load as 350 000 tonnes of fuel and general products will be on that first rail, and believe that they can increase this about three fold in the next few years of operations, probably up to a figure of about 800 000 tonnes. As indicated by the trip in March by FreightLink and government to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, FreightLink are actively building the opportunities for import and export.
The journey from Adelaide to Darwin will be a magnificent one. I am very heartened by the reports that there is increasing interest in taking the Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin. The prospects for being able to increase that once-a-week journey are looking very good. It will be a time for celebration for Territorians and we are pleased to be able to put $200 000 towards making that happen. It will be a Territory and community event in the school holiday period, and there will be wonderful celebrations by Territorians when that first train arrives in Darwin on 17 January.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016