Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, , 5:18:30 to 5:24:02
Discussion focuses on changes to the Commonwealth funding profile for Circular Quay and scope adjustments initiated by the New South Wales government regarding railway and berth interlinkages.
Topics: Infrastructure, Government spending
Speakers: Hon James McGrath, Jessica Hall, Unknown Speaker, Hon Anthony Chisholm, Senator Glenn Sterle, Lok Potticary
moving on, the Comwalth funding profile for the circular key renewal program has changed between the 202526 myo and the latest 2026 27 budget federation funding agreement with New South Wales. Can you explain what prompted this change?
Uh this was in regards to transport for New South Wales making some changes to the scope of the project. So they were um making some decisions around um the interlinkages between the railway line and the bursts at the circular key. So we're still just working that through.
>> So it was a change that was initiated by the New South Wales government.
>> Yeah.
You've touched upon this answer, but has the New South Wales government provided an updated construction schedule, business case, and project cost estimate to support the revised funding profile?
that I'm not sure. I think we've got some um draft information, but I don't think anything has been finalized as per my previous answer. We're still working through some information with them.
So I suppose my question was an updated construction schedule. So they've >> So have you received anything from them yet?
>> We have received quite um some information from them yet, Senator. Um but in regards to um detailed information um we're still working through that. So yes.
Do you know when you would get a finalized updated construction schedule, business case, and project cost estimate to support the revised funding profile?
an estimated time frame.
>> No, I think I'm presuming it will be um it's an ongoing conversation that we have. Um, so um my next catch up with them is probably later in the year. So I'm presuming that they will give me an
>> So and you also touched upon this. So has well has the scope of the project changed since the $220 million was I I don't want to lead the w I don't want to lead you here, but you're saying that New South Wales have changed it.
So I'd have to go back and have a look at the different time frames and when um certain commitments were made. So I will take that on notice. Um but we have been working through with them um different um uh options in regards to what can be done within the funding envelope.
Is funding for the project still subject to eligibility for funding under the National Land Transport Acts 2014? what components of the project have been determined to be eligible for Commonwealth funding?
Um I believe um everything that they have put forward to date is eligible for funding, but I'll have to take that on a notice and confirm with you.
>> Just in relation to I'm going back a couple of questions. You're you're meeting with with New South Wales when you said later in the year. Did we're in October 26. So
>> I usually meet with them quarterly. So there's usually another meeting around Decemberish.
so you you meet with them quarter uh each quarter. So the last time when you met with New South Wales that was the circular key renewal program uh discussed in your previous quarterly meeting.
>> I don't believe so. No, not in my last
>> Do you know when was the last time the the project was discussed with New South
Wales? was discussed this year, but I'll have to take it on notice exactly which one.
has the minister ever discussed the circular key renewal program with her New South Wales counterpart?
>> Uh, I don't know, Senator. I'd have to um, that's a question for the minister. I'd have to take that on notice.
Um, Minister, can you um answer on on behalf of the minister in relation to whether the minister has ever discussed the circular key renewal program with her New South Wales counterpart?
>> I'd have to take that level of detail and notice.
>> Okay. Taking on notice and um um chat GBT is very handy at uh drafting some answers in relation to questions on notice. So if we get the reply engages regularly with the ministerial colleagues and state and territory counterparts regarding portfolio priorities I I I'd like a very specific answer to the very specific question. Um >> Thank you chair. Um moving on. Chair do I still have the call?