❓ Question regarding straying livestock on Kimberley roads, specifically Great Northern Highway, and government actions to mitigate risks. Minister outlines actions taken and liabilities.
AnsweredQoN 2847Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 2215 regarding straying livestock on public highways and roads in the Kimberley and the Minister's reply, dated 17 February 2015, and I ask: (a) were the cattle that were removed from the Great Northern Highway easement branded for identification purposes; (b) if no to (a), why not, and is this in contravention of regulations; (c) if they were branded, indicating ownership, is the pastoralist liable for removal and disposal expenses; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) if ownership of cattle can be ascertained, would the pastoralist be liable for prosecution, and will the Minister take the appropriate action; (f) if no to (e), why not; (g) is the Minister aware that there are problems with wandering cattle on other stretches of the Great Northern Highway, for example; Derby to Wyndham/Kununurra, and will the Minister describe the steps being taken to manage the situation in order to avoid collisions and deaths; and (h) if no to (g), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 April 2015
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
42 days
(a)-(d) Main Roads currently does not record branding information. The pastoralist may be liable depending on the outcome of proceedings in negligence against the pastoralist in court. However there is no legislation regarding liability for removal and disposal expenses for straying animals on roads.
(e) Yes, Main Roads would take appropriate action as pursuant to section 275 of the Road Traffic Code 2000 it is an offence for a person in charge of livestock to allow the livestock to stray onto a road.
(f) Not applicable
(g) Yes. Main Roads has established an Advisory Group for the Management of Straying Livestock in Pastoral Regions with key stakeholders including the Pastoralists and Grazers Association, Pastoral Lands Board, Office of Road Safety and the Western Australian Local Government Association. Main Roads has allocated $12m from 2013-14 to 2016-17 on projects such as:
• relocation of water points close to the road;
• targeted fencing at known hotspots;
• additional signing; and
• regional radio campaigns to improve driver awareness
At a local level, Main Roads informs the pastoralists when cattle are reported within the road reserve and requests their removal. Main Roads is working with local pastoralists to address cattle within the road reserve to mitigate risks of collisions and deaths of road users.
(h) Not applicable
(e) Yes, Main Roads would take appropriate action as pursuant to section 275 of the Road Traffic Code 2000 it is an offence for a person in charge of livestock to allow the livestock to stray onto a road.
(f) Not applicable
(g) Yes. Main Roads has established an Advisory Group for the Management of Straying Livestock in Pastoral Regions with key stakeholders including the Pastoralists and Grazers Association, Pastoral Lands Board, Office of Road Safety and the Western Australian Local Government Association. Main Roads has allocated $12m from 2013-14 to 2016-17 on projects such as:
• relocation of water points close to the road;
• targeted fencing at known hotspots;
• additional signing; and
• regional radio campaigns to improve driver awareness
At a local level, Main Roads informs the pastoralists when cattle are reported within the road reserve and requests their removal. Main Roads is working with local pastoralists to address cattle within the road reserve to mitigate risks of collisions and deaths of road users.
(h) Not applicable
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