❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses delays in a proposal where Placer Dome would contribute to Goldfields Highway upgrades in exchange for increased axle weight limits, potentially boosting gold tax revenue. The Minister's response clarifies that the request came from a transport operator, not directly from Placer Dome, and outlines ongoing assessment and safety considerations.
AnsweredQoN 673Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
The minister will be aware of the proposal by mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards the upgrading of a four-kilometre section of the Goldfields Highway in exchange for the right to utilise an increased axle weight on this short section of road. This would allow the extension of the life of the mine to enable treatment of lower grade ore and would in turn increase the returns to the Government via the gold tax. Will the minister inform the House of the reasons for the delay in implementing this sensible arrangement? Hon KEN TRAVERS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads Western Australia is not aware of any request from mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway. However, Main Roads has received and assessed an application from a transport operator for an increase in axle load limits from 23.5 tonnes to 27 tonnes on local government and private roads. An additional request was received to include a short section of the Goldfields Highway, which included a suggestion of funding for an upgrade of that section by the mining industry. The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads Western Australia is not aware of any request from mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway. However, Main Roads has received and assessed an application from a transport operator for an increase in axle load limits from 23.5 tonnes to 27 tonnes on local government and private roads. An additional request was received to include a short section of the Goldfields Highway, which included a suggestion of funding for an upgrade of that section by the mining industry. The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads Western Australia is not aware of any request from mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway. However, Main Roads has received and assessed an application from a transport operator for an increase in axle load limits from 23.5 tonnes to 27 tonnes on local government and private roads. An additional request was received to include a short section of the Goldfields Highway, which included a suggestion of funding for an upgrade of that section by the mining industry. The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
Main Roads Western Australia is not aware of any request from mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway. However, Main Roads has received and assessed an application from a transport operator for an increase in axle load limits from 23.5 tonnes to 27 tonnes on local government and private roads. An additional request was received to include a short section of the Goldfields Highway, which included a suggestion of funding for an upgrade of that section by the mining industry. The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads Western Australia is not aware of any request from mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway. However, Main Roads has received and assessed an application from a transport operator for an increase in axle load limits from 23.5 tonnes to 27 tonnes on local government and private roads. An additional request was received to include a short section of the Goldfields Highway, which included a suggestion of funding for an upgrade of that section by the mining industry. The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads Western Australia is not aware of any request from mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway. However, Main Roads has received and assessed an application from a transport operator for an increase in axle load limits from 23.5 tonnes to 27 tonnes on local government and private roads. An additional request was received to include a short section of the Goldfields Highway, which included a suggestion of funding for an upgrade of that section by the mining industry. The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
Main Roads Western Australia is not aware of any request from mining company Placer Dome to contribute towards upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway. However, Main Roads has received and assessed an application from a transport operator for an increase in axle load limits from 23.5 tonnes to 27 tonnes on local government and private roads. An additional request was received to include a short section of the Goldfields Highway, which included a suggestion of funding for an upgrade of that section by the mining industry. The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
The regulation standard axle load limit is 20 tonnes on triaxles, but Main Roads has granted concessions to transport operators under specified conditions to operate at 23.5 tonnes per triaxle on approved routes. Main Roads has assessed the operator’s application and sees merit in the proposal, but has requested that the operator address various technical issues relating to safety, such as vehicle handling characteristics and braking performance. In addition to initial upgrade funding, further consideration would need to be given to ongoing road maintenance funding needs. It is proposed that a meeting be held between Main Roads officers and the transport operator to further explore possible opportunities in regard to the proposal.
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