State Government welcomes PATREC report

23/2/04

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has welcomed today's release of the Planning and Transport Research Centre's (PATREC) report that supports the South West Metropolitan Railway.

PATREC is an independent consortium of Western Australia's four public universities that undertook the five-month research project to gain a better understanding of the 'triple bottom line'.

"The university study examined the economic, environmental and social impact of the project," Ms MacTiernan said.

"I am confident of the expertise and integrity of the report's authors and I am optimistic this report will bring back some informed debate on the question of the
Perth-to-Mandurah rail.

"We note Mr Barnett has commented within minutes of the report's release.

"He should of course take the time to read the report and consider the academic integrity and standing of its authors."

Ms MacTiernan said her reading of the report's conclusion confirmed the very strong economic case for the rail.

"It also reinforces the very considerable environmental and social benefits," she said.

"In particular, I will be examining all of the benefits identified in the report to ensure that the rail project is implemented in a way that captures all of those benefits.

"I look forward to reading the report in the near future."