❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the Transport Minister about the Westport project's timeline in relation to container trade and population growth forecasts outlined in the 2024 business case summary. The Minister's response indicates that container trade growth is tracking as expected and that final decisions on the project's timing will be made after the current planning phase.

I refer to the Westport business case summary made available in November 2024, and I ask:(a) noting that the summary indicates a forecast of 3.1% per annum growth in container trade volumes between 2020-2035, how does this compare to the actual growth figures between 2024 to 2025, and how is it tracking so far in 2026, in both volume and percentage terms;(b) noting that the summary, on page 8, indicates a 1.6% per annum population growth rate between 2024 and 2036, how does this compare to the actual figures between 2024 to 2025, and how is it tracking so far in 2026, both in raw figures and in percentage terms;(c) what container trade growth figures would need to be reached to require an acceleration of the current Westport timeline;(d) what population growth figures would need to be reached to require an acceleration of the current Westport timeline;(e) in relation to (c), what figures might indicate that the timeline for Westport can be slowed, without negatively impacting WA's economy; and(f) in relation to (d), what figures might indicate that the timeline for Westport can be slowed, without negatively impacting WA's economy?

(a)-(f) Actual container trade growth volumes continue to track in line with forecast         growth assumptions. In line with the Strategic Asset Management Framework, the Government will make a      final decision on the specific timing of individual elements of the Westport program      once the current phase of planning is complete, inclusive of updates to trade forecasts.