Key Takeaways:
- Talison Lithium has ruled out a rail link to the world’s biggest lithium mine in West Australia’s South West region due to high costs and limited benefits.
- The company and state government spent $6 million investigating the option, which would have revived a defunct rail line to reduce truck traffic on the South Western Highway.
- The WA opposition is calling for more investment in the South Western Highway to cater for increased traffic on the road.
- The feasibility study found that the 78-kilometre rail link was not economically viable due to the extra infrastructure required for refurbishment.
- Community members have been calling for the railway to be reopened for years, but the company says it would not make a significant difference to the community.
Introduction to the Decision
The Sino-American company Talison Lithium has made a significant decision regarding the transportation of lithium from its mine in West Australia’s South West region. After spending $6 million on a feasibility study, the company has ruled out the option of using a rail link to transport the lithium, citing high costs and limited benefits. The decision has been met with disappointment from community members who had been advocating for the reopening of the defunct rail line, which has been closed for over 15 years. The rail line runs through several small towns, including Bridgetown, Donnybrook, and Boyanup, and its closure has led to increased traffic on the South Western Highway.
The Feasibility Study
The feasibility study, which was conducted by Talison Lithium and the state government, found that the 78-kilometre rail link from the mine to the Bunbury Port, Kemerton, and Kwinana was not economically viable. The study revealed that the extra infrastructure required for the refurbishment of the rail line would be too expensive, making it impractical to use the rail line for a safe and efficient mixed road-and-rail supply chain. According to Talison Lithium’s chief executive, Rob Telford, even if the rail line were to be reopened, trucks would still be needed for the "first and final mile" between the Greenbushes Lithium Operation and North Greenbushes’ new intermodal terminals, and from the Picton IMT to Bunbury Port.
Community Reaction
The decision to rule out the rail link has been met with disappointment from community members who had been advocating for the reopening of the rail line. Community members had been concerned that the increased traffic on the South Western Highway would hamper tourism and put too much pressure on the highway. However, according to Rob Telford, the reopening of the rail line would not make a significant difference to the community. With 76 level crossings and 17 pedestrian crossings along the route, the overall exposure to the community would not be materially reduced. The company’s decision has been seen as a blow to the community, which had been hoping that the rail link would help to reduce the number of trucks on the road.
Opposition Reaction
The WA opposition has reacted to the decision by calling for more investment in the South Western Highway. According to Steve Thomas, the WA shadow energy spokesperson and South West MLC, the project has effectively been "taken off the table" for good. Thomas criticized the government for spending millions of dollars on the feasibility study, saying that it was a waste of money. He argued that the government should instead invest in making the South Western Highway safer by adding more overtaking lanes and improving the road conditions. The WA government has been contacted for comment on the matter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decision by Talison Lithium to rule out the rail link to the world’s biggest lithium mine in West Australia’s South West region has significant implications for the community and the environment. While the company’s decision may be seen as a disappointment to some, it is clear that the feasibility study revealed that the costs and benefits of reopening the rail line did not stack up. The WA opposition’s call for more investment in the South Western Highway is a reasonable one, given the increased traffic on the road. Ultimately, the decision highlights the need for careful consideration and planning when it comes to transportation infrastructure, and the importance of finding solutions that balance the needs of the community, the environment, and the economy.
