❓ Mr. Watson inquires about the condition of the road to the Albany Windfarm and potential upgrades by Western Power. The Minister clarifies Western Power's role in the initial upgrade and current responsibility of the City of Albany.
AnsweredQoN 1133Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Is the Minister aware of the condition of the road to the Windfarm in Albany and if so are there any plans for Western Power to properly upgrade the road?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 April 2003
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
47 days
Following discussions with the City the road 'upgrade' required was defined as a dirt road to the Rural Design Code suitable for tourist traffic. Such a road was not required for wind farm construction although in line with the Development Approval Western Power proceeded to do this upgrade at a cost of approximately $450,000. Council engineering staff scrutinised the road drawings before construction commenced. At the end of the road, Western Power also built a wind farm tourist area including car-parking, bus-parking, walkways, lookouts and an information panel at a cost of approximately $300,000. Following completion of the wind farm, responsibility for the road returned to the City of Albany and Western Power has met all its Development Approval conditions in this regard. Currently the road is being used by tourist traffic and recreational users and it is believed that numbers of these have surpassed what was expected. Hence the road can become bumpy, a situation that is quickly and easily rectified using a road grader. The wind farm has become a major tourist attraction for the area and the City of Albany with others are looking to develop this potential further, including the bitumising of the road.
Following completion of the wind farm, responsibility for the road returned to the City of Albany and Western Power has met all its Development Approval conditions in this regard. Currently the road is being used by tourist traffic and recreational users and it is believed that numbers of these have surpassed what was expected. Hence the road can become bumpy, a situation that is quickly and easily rectified using a road grader. The wind farm has become a major tourist attraction for the area and the City of Albany with others are looking to develop this potential further, including the bitumising of the road.
Following completion of the wind farm, responsibility for the road returned to the City of Albany and Western Power has met all its Development Approval conditions in this regard. Currently the road is being used by tourist traffic and recreational users and it is believed that numbers of these have surpassed what was expected. Hence the road can become bumpy, a situation that is quickly and easily rectified using a road grader. The wind farm has become a major tourist attraction for the area and the City of Albany with others are looking to develop this potential further, including the bitumising of the road.
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