(14/11/2018) Freo should benefit from GST windfall

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt has urged the state government to spend some of WA’s $4.7 billion GST windfall on essential infrastructure in the port city.

Changes to the GST distribution passed by the Senate this morning will deliver $1.7 billion in top-up payments to WA over three years, and see the state about $4.7 billion better off over the next eight years.

Mayor Pettitt said while paying down state debt was important, the WA government should also look to invest in revenue generating assets in Fremantle.

“Fremantle is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation, with unprecedented levels of investment from the City of Fremantle and the private sector,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“Over the past few years the state government has invested billions of dollars in the Perth CBD in projects like Elizabeth Quay, Yagan Square and the stadium, and now is the perfect time to invest in Perth’s second city.

“As a local government we’ve done a lot of the ground work with planning and feasibility studies, so there is an ideal opportunity for the government to partner with us to deliver some of these projects that are essential not just for Fremantle but for the entire state.”

Mayor Pettitt cited the redevelopment of land surrounding the Fremantle Passenger Terminal at South Quay and including Fremantle in the early stages of METRONET as key projects requiring government investment.

“Fremantle is the gateway to WA for thousands of cruise ship passengers every year, but the first impression many get is not great,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“An independent report we commissioned back in 2016 identified the development of the South Quay precinct would generate 3700 new jobs, attract private investment of $3.5 billion and return almost $1 billion to the state over 20 years.

“The current planning for METRONET does not include the extension of heavy rail from Thornlie to Fremantle via Cockburn Central until 2031 to 2050, and the creation of a High Priority Transit Corridor between Murdoch and the Cockburn Coast via Fremantle until 2050.

“Light rail feasibility studies by the South West Group of Councils on the potential ‘up-lifting’ of development nodes along the Fremantle-Murdoch transit corridor show there is potential for 5500 new dwellings accommodating around 14,000 people.

“We want the government to bring forward the detailed planning for the Fremantle to Murdoch link – be it light rail or trackless trams - to fill the east-west public transport gap until the Fremantle to Cockburn passenger rail link is progressed.

“This partnership will help the state government meet its important infill targets as well as relieve congestion in the area.”