Hon Jim Scott asks about the disposal, destruction, and potential reuse of old jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers. The government responds, detailing disposal practices, quantities, and reasons for not pursuing certain reuse options.

AnsweredQoN 476Legislative Council
Asked
13 March 2002
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What happens to old jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers after they are replaced?
(2) If they are burned, why?
(3) How many railway sleepers were destroyed during the last two years?
(4) How many railway sleepers are destroyed each year on average?
(5) How many railway sleepers are currently stockpiled awaiting disposal?
(6) Has the Government ever investigated how they may be re-used or recycled for use in conservation/rehabilitation work?
(7) If not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
9 April 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
27 days
Old sleepers that are not intact are disposed of at an Environmental Protection Authority approved disposal site. 2). Old sleepers are not burned. 3). About 1600 4). About 800 5). About 600. 6) & 7). Apart from isolated sales to the public as in (1) above, in the Perth metropolitan area the numbers of surplus sleepers are too small and widespread to support conservation programs. Mulching of scrap sleepers was investigated but metal fastenings and stones embedded in the timber posed too great a risk to the machinery.
2). Old sleepers are not burned. 3). About 1600 4). About 800 5). About 600. 6) & 7). Apart from isolated sales to the public as in (1) above, in the Perth metropolitan area the numbers of surplus sleepers are too small and widespread to support conservation programs. Mulching of scrap sleepers was investigated but metal fastenings and stones embedded in the timber posed too great a risk to the machinery.
3). About 1600 4). About 800 5). About 600. 6) & 7). Apart from isolated sales to the public as in (1) above, in the Perth metropolitan area the numbers of surplus sleepers are too small and widespread to support conservation programs. Mulching of scrap sleepers was investigated but metal fastenings and stones embedded in the timber posed too great a risk to the machinery.
4). About 800 5). About 600. 6) & 7). Apart from isolated sales to the public as in (1) above, in the Perth metropolitan area the numbers of surplus sleepers are too small and widespread to support conservation programs. Mulching of scrap sleepers was investigated but metal fastenings and stones embedded in the timber posed too great a risk to the machinery.
5). About 600. 6) & 7). Apart from isolated sales to the public as in (1) above, in the Perth metropolitan area the numbers of surplus sleepers are too small and widespread to support conservation programs. Mulching of scrap sleepers was investigated but metal fastenings and stones embedded in the timber posed too great a risk to the machinery.
6) & 7). Apart from isolated sales to the public as in (1) above, in the Perth metropolitan area the numbers of surplus sleepers are too small and widespread to support conservation programs. Mulching of scrap sleepers was investigated but metal fastenings and stones embedded in the timber posed too great a risk to the machinery.

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