❓ A parliamentary question regarding the potential impacts of Rey Resources' coal transport plan on the Great Northern Highway and Derby, focusing on traffic volume, safety, and environmental concerns. The Minister's response indicates limited prior assessment and defers responsibility to existing processes and other agencies.
AnsweredQoN 1113Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the plans of Rey Resources Ltd to truck coal from its proposed Duchess Paradise mine for 175 kms along the Great Northern Highway and then down the main street of Derby to the Derby wharf, and I ask: (a) is the Minister aware that under this plan, there would at peak operation be up to 140 truck movements each day (70 full; 70 empty), 24 hours a day, along the highway and through the centre of Derby, involving triple trailer road trains with a load capacity of about 100 tonnes of coal each; (b) based on departmental records, how many road trains of this size per day currently travel: (i) along this section of the Great Northern Highway; and (ii) through the centre of Derby; (c) have either the Department of Transport or Main Roads conducted any studies or produced any reports assessing the health and safety risks and impacts of this transport proposal in relation to local communities in the Fitzroy valley, the residents of Derby, tourists and other road users: (i) if no to (c), why not; and (ii) if yes to (c), will the Minister table those studies or reports; (d) have officials from either agency held any meetings with Rey Resources Ltd to discuss any concerns in relation to community health and safety issues arising from the coal transport plan; (e) does the Minister believe it is responsible to expose local communities and visitors to the region to this type and level of transport proposal without proper assessment and consultation about the health and safety risks and likely impacts; (f) what monitoring of impacts on the residents of Derby and the Fitzroy valley, including accidents, noise, coal dust and diesel fumes, will be undertaken by government agencies if this proposal proceeds: (i) if none, why not; and (g) if accidents or other serious harm result from this transport proposal, will the Minister or the department be legally liable due to a failure to properly investigate, inform and intervene in this matter?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2014
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
49 days
(a) No.
(b)(i) 25.
(ii) 8.
(c)(i) No. As the roads are designated road train routes therefore assessed as being suitable for road train use. Port area operations are managed by the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley.
(ii) Not applicable
(d) Yes.
(e) This sort of traffic movement along the Great Northern Highway and through Derby has been carried out before. The roads are designated road train routes therefore assessed as being suitable for road train use.
(f) Crashes will be recorded and investigated as appropriate as per normal processes. Environmental issues normally form part of an Environmental Protection Authority assessment. The final approval for the project would contain any relevant conditions on its operation.
(i) Not applicable
(g) Any claims from third parties against Main Roads will, in the first instance, be referred to Riskcover in accordance with normal procedures.
(b)(i) 25.
(ii) 8.
(c)(i) No. As the roads are designated road train routes therefore assessed as being suitable for road train use. Port area operations are managed by the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley.
(ii) Not applicable
(d) Yes.
(e) This sort of traffic movement along the Great Northern Highway and through Derby has been carried out before. The roads are designated road train routes therefore assessed as being suitable for road train use.
(f) Crashes will be recorded and investigated as appropriate as per normal processes. Environmental issues normally form part of an Environmental Protection Authority assessment. The final approval for the project would contain any relevant conditions on its operation.
(i) Not applicable
(g) Any claims from third parties against Main Roads will, in the first instance, be referred to Riskcover in accordance with normal procedures.
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