❓ Hon. Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Transport regarding the lack of heavy vehicle transport across the Fitzroy River following the bridge collapse, 43 days prior. The Minister acknowledges the question and efforts to restore normalcy, stating light vehicle barges are being trialled and further capacity will be considered pending river conditions.
AnsweredQoN 21Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
KIMBERLEY FLOODS — TRANSPORT LINKS
21. Hon
NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for
Transport:
As
at 14 February, it is 43 days since the bridge over the Martuwarra—Fitzroy
River collapsed and I seek clarification of the ministers'
statements in the media about heavy vehicle movements across the river.
(1) Why has the
minister only contracted barges with a maximum capacity of one light vehicle at
a time and another for foot traffic?
(2) When will the
minister issue a contract to install a barge to enable heavy vehicles to
traverse the river?
(3) On what date will heavy
vehicles be able to traverse the river on a barge?
21. Hon
NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for
Transport:
As
at 14 February, it is 43 days since the bridge over the Martuwarra—Fitzroy
River collapsed and I seek clarification of the ministers'
statements in the media about heavy vehicle movements across the river.
(1) Why has the
minister only contracted barges with a maximum capacity of one light vehicle at
a time and another for foot traffic?
(2) When will the
minister issue a contract to install a barge to enable heavy vehicles to
traverse the river?
(3) On what date will heavy
vehicles be able to traverse the river on a barge?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. Before I provide the answer, I thank all those
workers, including in Main Roads and across the board in government, and
volunteers and all the agencies who have been working so hard so that those
affected by the extraordinary flooding in the Kimberley can resume a normal-as-possible
life.
(1)–(3) Three
punt barges capable of taking light vehicles and groups of people have arrived
in Fitzroy Crossing and are now being
trialled. Works on the barge landing areas and access tracks is continuing, but
conditions on the ground are very challenging, with recent rainfall
causing the river level to rise once again. Once these barges are operational
and if river conditions permit, we will look at scaling up capacity.
some notice of the question. Before I provide the answer, I thank all those
workers, including in Main Roads and across the board in government, and
volunteers and all the agencies who have been working so hard so that those
affected by the extraordinary flooding in the Kimberley can resume a normal-as-possible
life.
(1)–(3) Three
punt barges capable of taking light vehicles and groups of people have arrived
in Fitzroy Crossing and are now being
trialled. Works on the barge landing areas and access tracks is continuing, but
conditions on the ground are very challenging, with recent rainfall
causing the river level to rise once again. Once these barges are operational
and if river conditions permit, we will look at scaling up capacity.
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