Regional Parliament

Rainbow 2000—a Regional Planning Strategy for Albany & the Great Southern, Western Australia

Page 2 of 17 pages of significant statements by relevant persons during project development :

“I have discussed this with the Board. Rainbow 2000 is well understood locally and in Perth and all the Board members are familiar with the arguments. The charter of the Board is to run the port as required by the Port Authorities Act. Issues such as relocating the port are not a commercial requirement for the Board, as we are confident the current location will be adequate for port operations well into the future. Therefore the Board does not wish to investigate these concepts further, given the enormous public investment in the current location. Naturally, should our owners - the state government, have a different view, we would undertake their requirements. I think your vision is better aimed at senior levels of elected government.”

Brad Williamson, Chief Executive Officer, Albany Port Authority Email : 10 Mar 2004

“Albany’s historic importance made it the natural choice for hosting this important event (1st Regional Sitting of State Parliament - Legislative Assembly). Indeed, your city has played a significant role not only in the history of Western Australia but the nation. Albany is where our Anzac troops came together before setting sail for Gallipoli and it is our State’s oldest European settlement.”

Geoff Gallop, Premier, State Government of Western Australia Community Cabinet Update : 22 Apr 2004

“The listing of the Albany Anzac Dawn Service Icon followed a range of State Government initiatives aimed at promoting community pride and respect for WA’s Military heritage. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that the observance of Anzac Day remains strong and is carried on by future generations.”

Eric Ripper, Deputy Premier, State Government of Western Australia Community Cabinet Update : 22 Apr 2004

“While I was very interested to read the material you attached concerning the Rainbow 2000 project, the planning issues covered in these documents fall within the responsibilities of local and state governments.”

Tony Nutt, Principal Private Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister , Commonwealth of Australia Letter : 23 Apr 2004

“With residential development on two sides of the Port and accommodation on the third, it was only a matter of time before the Port was rendered unviable. Plans for the waterfront development should be displayed in every town in the region which relied on the Port to ensure everyone whose living depended on the Port had the opportunity to comment.”

Ian Peacock, Chairman APULG Extract : Albany Advertiser (Page 3), 29 Apr 2004

“Yours is a visionary proposal but on examination it is clear that it is not a proposal the Commission would support. I hope you’ll understand that we are unable to include the matter on a meeting of the Commission. I appreciate your interest in the development of Albany’s future.”

Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman, Western Australian Planning Commission Letter : 29 Apr 2004

“Whilst the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) does not have any details on the Great Southern Plantations’ proposal to which you refer, the matter of transport to and from major ports is a strategic issue. I consider that this is best managed by the Department for Planning & Infrastructure (DPI) and that there is limited value in the EPA getting involved on a proposal by proposal basis. The DPI is presently progressing the Albany Heavy Freight Forum Action Plan and I consider that this is an appropriate way to manage strategic transport issues.”

Wally Cox, Chairman, Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority Letter : 29 Apr 2004

“With regard to relocation of the port, previous estimates have shown that the cost would be prohibitive. Consequently, the Government’s preferred approach has been to maximise the amount of freight transported by rail, and minimise the negative impacts of the port and key freight routes through better planning of port activities and adjacent land uses. This includes the waterfront, where it is proposed that suitable building codes will be specified to reduce noise effects, and traffic management plans included to minimise conflict between cars and trucks on access roads. A pedestrian overpass is also included to allow non-vehicular access to the (waterfront) development.”

Ken Travers MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Planning & Infrastructure, WA Letter : 24 May 2004

The Rainbow 2000 Project is a private planning strategy that has not been endorsed by any level of governance in Australia, which is what makes it particularly relevant and very challenging for governance, industry & community.