Answers to Questions

Transport Department Car Park

In reply to the Hon. M.C. PARNELL (17 March 2021).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has advised:

The land referred to is known as Lot 13 Holton Court, Joslin and is a parcel of land vested in the Commissioner of Highways.

Prior to the site being developed as a car park for the former Highways Department in the late 1960s, it was used as a refuse deposit by the local council.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) commissioned a site contamination audit in 2015 which concluded that site contamination existed at the site in concentrations not suitable for recreational/open space land use.

The purpose of the report was to seek independent advice to assist with understanding the potential cost and works associated to render the site suitable for future potential development from residential through to commercial or industrial use (including recreational consideration).

On 1 February 2019 Cohda Wireless entered into a licence agreement with DIT over the site for the purpose of testing autonomous vehicles. This licence is currently in holdover.

The site is currently within the DIT sales program with an aim to bring the land to market and return its value to the Highways Fund subject to any state agency or council interest in retaining the land.