Swan River Walls Update
The City remains disappointed that the State Government has not fulfilled its election promise to partly fund the cost of replacing the Swan River walls either side of the Mends Street jetty.
The Minister has still not given any indication as to when the promised funds of $1.35M will be provided. The City has agreed to match the grant and has made the funds available within its current budget. River walls and the responsibility for them is a contentious issue for Local Government.
The walls are generally a join responsibility of the relevant Local Government and the State through the Swan River Trust. With the recent announcement that the Swan River Trust will be absorbed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, it places further doubt as to whether funding for the river walls will be provided in the near future.
The cost of replacing the walls is extremely expensive at around $5,500 per metre. State Governments over time have not allocated sufficient funds for capital works improvements to maintain river infrastructure at an acceptable level.
If there was a need six months ago when the election commitment was made, there is even a greater need now as the walls have further deteriorated during the winter storms. Because of the condition of the walls, from a risk management point of view the City has been forced to erect a fence along the foreshore to protect members of the public. The fence will remain until the necessary works are completed.
The Minister has still not given any indication as to when the promised funds of $1.35M will be provided. The City has agreed to match the grant and has made the funds available within its current budget. River walls and the responsibility for them is a contentious issue for Local Government.
The walls are generally a join responsibility of the relevant Local Government and the State through the Swan River Trust. With the recent announcement that the Swan River Trust will be absorbed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, it places further doubt as to whether funding for the river walls will be provided in the near future.
The cost of replacing the walls is extremely expensive at around $5,500 per metre. State Governments over time have not allocated sufficient funds for capital works improvements to maintain river infrastructure at an acceptable level.
If there was a need six months ago when the election commitment was made, there is even a greater need now as the walls have further deteriorated during the winter storms. Because of the condition of the walls, from a risk management point of view the City has been forced to erect a fence along the foreshore to protect members of the public. The fence will remain until the necessary works are completed.
Media contact
For media enquiries, please contact the City’s Communications Officer.
- Phone 9474 0777
- Email media@southperth.wa.gov.au
