❓ Question regarding fencing standards used on the Perth to Mandurah Railway project, specifically questioning the use of outdated standards, inconsistencies, and potential influence of a specific supplier. The Minister's response addresses the development process, supplier consultation, and contract variations.
AnsweredQoN 4385Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
From 1 May 2006 until 18 September 2006, there have been eight items of correspondence between the Member for Dawesville and the Minister regarding the quality of protective fencing and the Australian standards used for fence construction on the Perth to Mandurah Railway -
1 May 2006 - Letter from the Member for Dawesville to the Minister
4 May 2006 - Letter acknowledged by Ministers Office (Reference 2-13279)
28 June 2006 - Reply received from Minister’s Office
7 July 2006 - Letter from member for Dawesville asking for details of the standard used
11 July 2006 - Letter acknowledged by Minister’s Office (Reference 2-15439)
5 September 2006 - Reply received from Minister’s Office attaching a draft copy of the Public transport Authority’s specifications
11 September 2006 - Letter from Member for Dawesville to Minister regarding anomalies in standards used for fence construction
18 September 2006 - Letter acknowledged by Minister’s office (reference 02-021195)
Minister could you please advise -
(1) Why the minister is using 1983 standards rather than the 2003 standards?
(2) Why the Minister is saying that posts will be to a certain AS(1450) and yet requiring a wall thickness that is not to that standard?
(3) Who designed and agreed to the current standards being used?
(4) Did Smorgen Cyclone play any part in developing the standards being used?
(5) Why have the contractors been allowed variations to the standards the Minister has set?
1 May 2006 - Letter from the Member for Dawesville to the Minister
4 May 2006 - Letter acknowledged by Ministers Office (Reference 2-13279)
28 June 2006 - Reply received from Minister’s Office
7 July 2006 - Letter from member for Dawesville asking for details of the standard used
11 July 2006 - Letter acknowledged by Minister’s Office (Reference 2-15439)
5 September 2006 - Reply received from Minister’s Office attaching a draft copy of the Public transport Authority’s specifications
11 September 2006 - Letter from Member for Dawesville to Minister regarding anomalies in standards used for fence construction
18 September 2006 - Letter acknowledged by Minister’s office (reference 02-021195)
Minister could you please advise -
(1) Why the minister is using 1983 standards rather than the 2003 standards?
(2) Why the Minister is saying that posts will be to a certain AS(1450) and yet requiring a wall thickness that is not to that standard?
(3) Who designed and agreed to the current standards being used?
(4) Did Smorgen Cyclone play any part in developing the standards being used?
(5) Why have the contractors been allowed variations to the standards the Minister has set?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 March 2007
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
131 days
(3) The specifications currently in use for railway fencing were developed during 2000 and 2001 by engineers of the then Western Australian Government Railways Commission to standardise fencing requirements for the protection of the railway reserve and to eliminate confusion by maintaining consistency. They have been updated over the years to reflect operational requirements and any changes in materials or standards. (4) In 2000 and 2001, suppliers from the industry, including Smorgon Steel Group Ltd, were consulted to assist in developing the specifications. Smorgon Steel Group Ltd was sent a draft of the final specifications for comments, however none were received. (5) As with any contract, there is provision for variations. Changes from standard specifications may arise from the unavailability of specified materials, agreed concession for changes or due to defective works. If there is any work that does not meet the requirements of the contract, then prior to authorising Practical Completion, any unsatisfactory work will be identified and treated as defective work and the remedies as provided for under the contract will apply. The works in PTA contract 03/005 which includes the railway reserve fencing for the Southern Suburbs Railway is not yet complete. The PTA has undertaken an examination of the fencing referred to and finds that there are some defects in workmanship which will be rectified by Practical Completion, but there are no known instances where the materials used do not meet the relevant specifications.
(4) In 2000 and 2001, suppliers from the industry, including Smorgon Steel Group Ltd, were consulted to assist in developing the specifications. Smorgon Steel Group Ltd was sent a draft of the final specifications for comments, however none were received. (5) As with any contract, there is provision for variations. Changes from standard specifications may arise from the unavailability of specified materials, agreed concession for changes or due to defective works. If there is any work that does not meet the requirements of the contract, then prior to authorising Practical Completion, any unsatisfactory work will be identified and treated as defective work and the remedies as provided for under the contract will apply. The works in PTA contract 03/005 which includes the railway reserve fencing for the Southern Suburbs Railway is not yet complete. The PTA has undertaken an examination of the fencing referred to and finds that there are some defects in workmanship which will be rectified by Practical Completion, but there are no known instances where the materials used do not meet the relevant specifications.
(5) As with any contract, there is provision for variations. Changes from standard specifications may arise from the unavailability of specified materials, agreed concession for changes or due to defective works. If there is any work that does not meet the requirements of the contract, then prior to authorising Practical Completion, any unsatisfactory work will be identified and treated as defective work and the remedies as provided for under the contract will apply. The works in PTA contract 03/005 which includes the railway reserve fencing for the Southern Suburbs Railway is not yet complete. The PTA has undertaken an examination of the fencing referred to and finds that there are some defects in workmanship which will be rectified by Practical Completion, but there are no known instances where the materials used do not meet the relevant specifications.
The works in PTA contract 03/005 which includes the railway reserve fencing for the Southern Suburbs Railway is not yet complete. The PTA has undertaken an examination of the fencing referred to and finds that there are some defects in workmanship which will be rectified by Practical Completion, but there are no known instances where the materials used do not meet the relevant specifications.
(4) In 2000 and 2001, suppliers from the industry, including Smorgon Steel Group Ltd, were consulted to assist in developing the specifications. Smorgon Steel Group Ltd was sent a draft of the final specifications for comments, however none were received. (5) As with any contract, there is provision for variations. Changes from standard specifications may arise from the unavailability of specified materials, agreed concession for changes or due to defective works. If there is any work that does not meet the requirements of the contract, then prior to authorising Practical Completion, any unsatisfactory work will be identified and treated as defective work and the remedies as provided for under the contract will apply. The works in PTA contract 03/005 which includes the railway reserve fencing for the Southern Suburbs Railway is not yet complete. The PTA has undertaken an examination of the fencing referred to and finds that there are some defects in workmanship which will be rectified by Practical Completion, but there are no known instances where the materials used do not meet the relevant specifications.
(5) As with any contract, there is provision for variations. Changes from standard specifications may arise from the unavailability of specified materials, agreed concession for changes or due to defective works. If there is any work that does not meet the requirements of the contract, then prior to authorising Practical Completion, any unsatisfactory work will be identified and treated as defective work and the remedies as provided for under the contract will apply. The works in PTA contract 03/005 which includes the railway reserve fencing for the Southern Suburbs Railway is not yet complete. The PTA has undertaken an examination of the fencing referred to and finds that there are some defects in workmanship which will be rectified by Practical Completion, but there are no known instances where the materials used do not meet the relevant specifications.
The works in PTA contract 03/005 which includes the railway reserve fencing for the Southern Suburbs Railway is not yet complete. The PTA has undertaken an examination of the fencing referred to and finds that there are some defects in workmanship which will be rectified by Practical Completion, but there are no known instances where the materials used do not meet the relevant specifications.
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