A parliamentary question regarding the proposed heavy vehicle bypass in Kununurra and its impact on River Farm Road residents. The Minister assures minimal impact, extensive consultation, consideration of alternative routes, and adherence to noise standards.

AnsweredQoN 970Legislative Council
Asked
18 November 2010
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

KUNUNURRA HEAVY VEHICLE ROUTE
I ask this question on behalf of Hon Helen Bullock, who is unfortunately absent from the chamber on urgent parliamentary business. I refer to the minister’s proposal for a heavy vehicle road to bypass Kununurra. (1) Is it true that the residents and owners of the horticultural blocks along River Farm Road are the group most likely to be affected by the construction of the proposed road and bridge on the alignment that is now designated as being the preferred option? There is a typographical error in the copy of the question, namely the inclusion of the word “a” between the words “of” and “the”, but I am sure that will not impede the minister’s understanding of the question. (2) Has the government formally consulted this group; and, if so, how? (3) Are other alternative routes, such as that to the south of the current proposal, being considered; and, if so, what are they? (4) Will the government ensure that this heavy vehicle road haulage route does not come close to these residents’ homes; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
I refer to the minister’s proposal for a heavy vehicle road to bypass Kununurra. (1) Is it true that the residents and owners of the horticultural blocks along River Farm Road are the group most likely to be affected by the construction of the proposed road and bridge on the alignment that is now designated as being the preferred option? There is a typographical error in the copy of the question, namely the inclusion of the word “a” between the words “of” and “the”, but I am sure that will not impede the minister’s understanding of the question. (2) Has the government formally consulted this group; and, if so, how? (3) Are other alternative routes, such as that to the south of the current proposal, being considered; and, if so, what are they? (4) Will the government ensure that this heavy vehicle road haulage route does not come close to these residents’ homes; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(1) Is it true that the residents and owners of the horticultural blocks along River Farm Road are the group most likely to be affected by the construction of the proposed road and bridge on the alignment that is now designated as being the preferred option? There is a typographical error in the copy of the question, namely the inclusion of the word “a” between the words “of” and “the”, but I am sure that will not impede the minister’s understanding of the question. (2) Has the government formally consulted this group; and, if so, how? (3) Are other alternative routes, such as that to the south of the current proposal, being considered; and, if so, what are they? (4) Will the government ensure that this heavy vehicle road haulage route does not come close to these residents’ homes; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(2) Has the government formally consulted this group; and, if so, how? (3) Are other alternative routes, such as that to the south of the current proposal, being considered; and, if so, what are they? (4) Will the government ensure that this heavy vehicle road haulage route does not come close to these residents’ homes; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(3) Are other alternative routes, such as that to the south of the current proposal, being considered; and, if so, what are they? (4) Will the government ensure that this heavy vehicle road haulage route does not come close to these residents’ homes; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(4) Will the government ensure that this heavy vehicle road haulage route does not come close to these residents’ homes; and, if not, why not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(1) There will be a minimal visual impact from the project on River Farm Road. The residents are located in excess of 830 metres from the proposed road and bridge alignment. No land resumption of these properties is required. (2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(2) Yes. An extensive public consultation process has been completed for the project with the local community, traditional owners and key stakeholders over a number of years. This consultation confirmed that the majority of the community and stakeholders support the project and current alignment. In addition to this, all River Farm Road residents were personally written to by Main Roads in August 2010 seeking input into and comments on the project. Four responses were received. Main Roads has continued to consult closely and has completed several visits to properties at River Farm Road, as well as holding a public meeting at River Farm Road on Sunday, 17 October, to ensure that the location, extent and potential impacts of the project are clearly understood. All impacts identified to date are manageable. (3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(3) In excess of nine alternative alignments have been considered and assessed in detail over a 25 to 30-year period, both to the north and south of these residents. The alternatives available do not meet the project objectives, are cost prohibitive, provide poor or unsafe road geometry, or result in significantly greater impacts to other parties. These impacts include significantly greater land acquisition requirements, and impacts to Aboriginal sites of significance, and other significant impacts to the broader community. (4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
(4) Yes. The properties at River Farm Road range between 830 metres and 3.2 kilometres from the proposed alignment. Several of the closest properties may see parts of the proposed bridge from a distance. Noise assessments completed to date have confirmed that the allowable noise standards will not be exceeded at residential properties as a result of the project. Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
Mr President, the answer that I am providing to the member also includes an aerial photo to illustrate the matters I am discussing. Do I need to seek leave to table that document or can I simply provide it as part of the answer? The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
The PRESIDENT : The minister can table it with his answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : In that case, I table the document. [See paper 2837.]
[See paper 2837.]

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