❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Transport regarding the management of straying livestock on the Broome-Derby highway, particularly concerning fencing, funding allocation, and the inactivity of the MRWA Advisory Group. The Minister responds by outlining actions taken and planned, including reactivating the Advisory Group and providing assistance to pastoralists.
AnsweredQoN 1394Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to question on notice No. 833 asked in the Legislative Council on 13 March 2018 by Hon Robin Chapple, and the tabled paper of the minutes from the Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) Advisory Group for the Management of the Straying Livestock in Pastoral Regions, and I ask: (a) why has the advisory group for the management of straying cattle not met since its last meeting on 6 July 2015; (b) were the actions set in the minutes of this final meeting carried out; (c) if yes to (1)(b), which actions, and when; and (d) if no to (1)(b), why not? (2) Given the increase of cattle on the Broome-Derby highway, what is the Government doing to protect road-users and cattle? (3) In reference to question on notice No. 833 answer (1k-l), where the Minister responded that pastoralists were responsible for monitoring their own stock: (a) who is accountable for the installation, upgrade, maintenance costs of fencing along these highways; (b) are there any subsidies for pastoralists who pay out-of-pocket for the installation, upgrade, and maintenance of this fencing; (c) if no to (3)(b), why not; and (d) have these measures (fencing at hotspots, etc.) had any measurable effect on the amount of stock found on the Broome-Derby highway? (4) In reference to question on notice No. 833 answer (1o) and (1i): (a) can the Minister identify the "remaining eight projects", how much of the $5.56 million will be spent on each project, and how much of the $5.74 million was spent on each of the twelve completed projects; and (b) if no to (4)(a), why not? (5) In reference to question on notice No. 833 answer (1q): (a) can the Minister itemise how the $458,000 spent by Main Roads was used; (b) if no to (5)(a), why not; (c) can the Minister itemise how the remaining $385,000 will be spent; and (d) if no to (5)(c), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 August 2018
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
11 days
(1)
(a) At the time it was considered that the work of the Advisory Group was sufficiently advanced as to no longer require the same level of strategic oversight. The Advisory Group had identified a number of key initiatives, including the Animal Hazard Mitigation Program, which Main Roads is in the process of implementing. However, in view of the recent focus on straying livestock the Minister has asked Main Roads to reconvene the Advisory Group to review the program and investigate any other measures that should be pursued to improve safety.
(b) Yes
(c) The actions have been completed on an ongoing basis.
(d) Not applicable
(2) As per 1 (a) above the Advisory Group is being reactivated but specific currently initiatives being pursued by Main Roads include:
(3)
(a) Pastoralists are accountable for the installation, upgrade and maintenance of their fencing as per their pastoral lease agreement
(b) Yes, Main Roads' Animal Hazard Mitigation Program assists pastoralists in the installation of new fencing where there is no existing fence and straying livestock is considered a high risk to road users.
(c) Not applicable
(d) Main Roads does not maintain records regarding the number of straying stock observed on Great Northern Highway, including on the road between Derby and Broome.
(4)
(a)-(b) The Animal Hazard Mitigation Program is subject to ongoing changes due to:
(5)
(a)-(d) Main Roads allocated funds for the installation of warning signs on Derby Highway and fencing for stations in the vicinity of the RAAF Curtin base on Derby Highway.
Upcoming expenditure will be allocated to fencing and signage on the Great Northern Highway.
(a) At the time it was considered that the work of the Advisory Group was sufficiently advanced as to no longer require the same level of strategic oversight. The Advisory Group had identified a number of key initiatives, including the Animal Hazard Mitigation Program, which Main Roads is in the process of implementing. However, in view of the recent focus on straying livestock the Minister has asked Main Roads to reconvene the Advisory Group to review the program and investigate any other measures that should be pursued to improve safety.
(b) Yes
(c) The actions have been completed on an ongoing basis.
(d) Not applicable
(2) As per 1 (a) above the Advisory Group is being reactivated but specific currently initiatives being pursued by Main Roads include:
(3)
(a) Pastoralists are accountable for the installation, upgrade and maintenance of their fencing as per their pastoral lease agreement
(b) Yes, Main Roads' Animal Hazard Mitigation Program assists pastoralists in the installation of new fencing where there is no existing fence and straying livestock is considered a high risk to road users.
(c) Not applicable
(d) Main Roads does not maintain records regarding the number of straying stock observed on Great Northern Highway, including on the road between Derby and Broome.
(4)
(a)-(b) The Animal Hazard Mitigation Program is subject to ongoing changes due to:
(5)
(a)-(d) Main Roads allocated funds for the installation of warning signs on Derby Highway and fencing for stations in the vicinity of the RAAF Curtin base on Derby Highway.
Upcoming expenditure will be allocated to fencing and signage on the Great Northern Highway.
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