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❓ Question regarding the safety risks and impacts of Rey Resources Ltd's coal transport plan on local communities and road users, particularly concerning increased truck traffic and potential environmental and health impacts in Derby and the Fitzroy Valley. The answer refers to another question.

AnsweredQoN 1114Legislative Council

Asked

6 May 2014

Member

Hon Robin Chapple

Portfolio

Road Safety

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 government 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 the Minister’s Road Safety officers conducted any studies or produced any reports assessing the 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 Road Safety held any meetings with Rey Resources Ltd to discuss any concerns in relation to community 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 safety risks and likely impacts; (f) what monitoring of impacts on the residents of Derby, 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 Road Safety officers be legally liable due to a failure to properly investigate, inform and intervene in this matter?