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The Department of Transport has granted regional airline Rex an extension on its current deed of agreement to operate the air services between Perth and Albany, and Perth and Esperance.

Rex’s current five-year deed to service the two routes was due to expire on 27 February 2021 but has been extended until 30 June 2023. 

Department of Transport Director Aviation Peter Ryan said Rex will continue to have exclusive rights to operate the two air routes under the deed, with the same terms and conditions.

“Given the current uncertainty in the aviation market, extending Rex’s agreement to keep operating these flights for the next two years gives certainty to people who travel between Perth, and Albany and Esperance,” Mr Ryan said.

“The extension of Rex’s deed of agreement for the Esperance and Albany air routes to 30 June 2023 aligns them with the current terms of three other fully regulated air routes operating under deeds of agreement, Carnarvon-Monkey Mia and two Northern Goldfields routes, which include the towns of Mt Magnet, Meekatharra, Wiluna, Laverton and Leonora.

“This will allow all five routes to be tendered together once their current terms expire, enabling airlines to consider all regulated air routes at the one time.”

Rex has been providing 14 return flights per week on the Albany route and 13 on the Esperance route.

“Ensuring this current level of service continues is vitally important to ensure local residents have frequent and affordable flights to and from Perth,” Mr Ryan said.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Skippers are being warned there could be delays launching vessels at Woodman Point from later this month as four of the eight boat ramps are temporarily closed for major maintenance works.

Department of Transport (DoT) Director of Coastal Facilities Donna West said the four eastern ramps would be closed from 22 February to 1 April 2021 to allow for  substantial maintenance works including removal and off-site blasting and painting of decking and all steel surfaces as well as on-site blasting of jetty pylons.

“The nature of the work requires low tides which significantly impacted the timing of the closure and scheduling it after the peak holiday season and before Easter was designed to minimise disruption for users,” Ms West said.  

With direct ocean access Woodman Point is one of the busiest boat launching facilities in the metropolitan area with an estimated 35,000 visits a year.

Built in 2008, the eastern ramps and associated finger jetties are now in need of major works to ensure their continued safe use by the recreational boating community.

Ms West said while the western ramps would remain open, delays were anticipated for the duration of the scheduled work on the eastern ramps and skippers should consider launching their vessel at other locations.

“Facility users should also be aware there will be road closures in place and they will need to look out for directional signage that has been installed,” Ms West said.

“The upgrade will deliver a significantly improved facility for users and we ask for their patience and understanding during the refurbishment work.”

For alternative launch ramp locations visit the DoT website. 

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

The Department of Transport (DoT) will not progress changes to aquatic use in the upper reaches of the Swan River after two proposals failed to attract community support in recent consultation.

DoT Director Waterways Management Chris Mather said of the more than 2,000 people who responded to an online survey, 1561 rejected a proposed two year trial allowing personal water craft (PWC) to navigate as a vessel upstream of the Windan Bridge and nearly half did not want changes to the boundary of the ski area at Belmont.

“The Swan River (Upper Reaches) Aquatic Use Review attracted a high level of interest and comment from a diverse range of riverpark users with more than half identifying as paddle craft users and around one quarter being recreational boat owners,” Mr Mather said.

“The long-established aquatic use review process ensures the community has a say in the safe, equitable and sustainable use of WA waterways as our population grows and demand increases for a variety of aquatic activities.

“Following repeated requests for change to the current rules from PWC owners, DoT included the proposed two-year trial for PWC to operate upstream of the Windan Bridge knowing the aquatic use review process would allow people to comment and the feedback would be considered prior to making a final determination.”

Mr Mather said the boundary of the water ski area at Belmont would also remain unchanged.

The proposals presented for community comment were the result of initial consultation with key stakeholders, including City of Belmont, City of Swan, City of Bayswater, Town of Bassendean and Town of Victoria Park and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

The Swan Canning Riverpark Boating Guide contains information about aquatic activity boundaries.

Visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/boatingguides or request a copy by contacting DoT on 13 11 56.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au