Live Exports heading to Kwinana

As reported in the West Australian:

Live sheep trade may move to Kwinana

BEN HARVEY STATE POLITICAL EDITOR, The West Australian

June 23, 2011, 5:16 am

Transport Minister Troy Buswell wants to shift the live sheep trade from Fremantle to Kwinana in a move that would be a win for voters in the electorates of Premier Colin Barnett and independent MP Adele Carles but a big loss for the Labor electorates surrounding the industrial hub.

The trade was not compatible with the future of the inner harbour of Fremantle Port and should be moved south, Mr Buswell told a meeting of business people in Fremantle yesterday.

 "I don't think it will be compatible in the long run," he said.

Mr Buswell said there was a disused jetty at Kwinana which had once been used to load sheep.

The trade could be moved there but it would require dredging and the development of infrastructure.

Previous talk about moving the live sheep trade out of Fremantle has focused on switching the trade to a new private port which a consortium led by building magnate Len Buckeridge wants to build at James Point.

Labor MLA for Rockingham Mark McGowan said people in the Kwinana area already had their fair share of industry which benefited the State.

"Mr Buswell needs to come clean on the involvement of Adele Carles in his decision," he said.

"Once again Mr Buswell is showing he hasn't learnt to disassociate his personal life from his public one."

Ms Carles is the MP for Fremantle. The northern side of Fremantle Port is part of Mr Barnett's Cottesloe electorate.

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