❓ Minister Travers provides an update on discussions between Main Roads and Placer Dome regarding upgrading a section of the Goldfields Highway in exchange for increased axle weight allowances, including industry consultation and a proposed compensatory charge.
AnsweredQoN 777Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I am seeking further information in regard to the question I asked on 26 August 2004. The minister will be aware of the proposal by the 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. Can the minister inform the House what progress has been made on discussions between Main Roads and the private sector regarding the joint funding of the upgrading of a section of the Goldfields Highway to facilitate the carriage of ore and the extension of mine life? Hon KEN TRAVERS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads recently met with Gould Transport Pty Ltd, acting for the mining operator, to discuss its proposal. Discussions have also been held with representatives of the Transport Forum WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to seek an industry-wide view of the proposal and potential associated issues. Main Roads is currently considering the proposal, including an assessment of the impacts increased axle loadings would have on the economic life of the road pavement asset. Any financial contribution would need to cover anticipated increased maintenance and reconstruction costs that would result from advanced wear on the pavement as a consequence of increased axle loads. Main Roads intends formally responding to the transport operator early in October outlining an appropriate cents-tonne-kilometre compensatory charge to allow increased axle loadings on this four-kilometre section of the highway. The transport operator and mining company would then need to consider the economic costs of paying the compensatory charge or constructing a haul road. It should be noted that the request is for the same vehicle configuration currently used - the only difference is that it is carrying more load per axle and therefore imposes greater pressure on the road surface. The requested arrangement has not previously been adopted anywhere by Main Roads.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads recently met with Gould Transport Pty Ltd, acting for the mining operator, to discuss its proposal. Discussions have also been held with representatives of the Transport Forum WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to seek an industry-wide view of the proposal and potential associated issues. Main Roads is currently considering the proposal, including an assessment of the impacts increased axle loadings would have on the economic life of the road pavement asset. Any financial contribution would need to cover anticipated increased maintenance and reconstruction costs that would result from advanced wear on the pavement as a consequence of increased axle loads. Main Roads intends formally responding to the transport operator early in October outlining an appropriate cents-tonne-kilometre compensatory charge to allow increased axle loadings on this four-kilometre section of the highway. The transport operator and mining company would then need to consider the economic costs of paying the compensatory charge or constructing a haul road. It should be noted that the request is for the same vehicle configuration currently used - the only difference is that it is carrying more load per axle and therefore imposes greater pressure on the road surface. The requested arrangement has not previously been adopted anywhere by Main Roads.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads recently met with Gould Transport Pty Ltd, acting for the mining operator, to discuss its proposal. Discussions have also been held with representatives of the Transport Forum WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to seek an industry-wide view of the proposal and potential associated issues. Main Roads is currently considering the proposal, including an assessment of the impacts increased axle loadings would have on the economic life of the road pavement asset. Any financial contribution would need to cover anticipated increased maintenance and reconstruction costs that would result from advanced wear on the pavement as a consequence of increased axle loads. Main Roads intends formally responding to the transport operator early in October outlining an appropriate cents-tonne-kilometre compensatory charge to allow increased axle loadings on this four-kilometre section of the highway. The transport operator and mining company would then need to consider the economic costs of paying the compensatory charge or constructing a haul road. It should be noted that the request is for the same vehicle configuration currently used - the only difference is that it is carrying more load per axle and therefore imposes greater pressure on the road surface. The requested arrangement has not previously been adopted anywhere by Main Roads.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads recently met with Gould Transport Pty Ltd, acting for the mining operator, to discuss its proposal. Discussions have also been held with representatives of the Transport Forum WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to seek an industry-wide view of the proposal and potential associated issues. Main Roads is currently considering the proposal, including an assessment of the impacts increased axle loadings would have on the economic life of the road pavement asset. Any financial contribution would need to cover anticipated increased maintenance and reconstruction costs that would result from advanced wear on the pavement as a consequence of increased axle loads. Main Roads intends formally responding to the transport operator early in October outlining an appropriate cents-tonne-kilometre compensatory charge to allow increased axle loadings on this four-kilometre section of the highway. The transport operator and mining company would then need to consider the economic costs of paying the compensatory charge or constructing a haul road. It should be noted that the request is for the same vehicle configuration currently used - the only difference is that it is carrying more load per axle and therefore imposes greater pressure on the road surface. The requested arrangement has not previously been adopted anywhere by Main Roads.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Main Roads recently met with Gould Transport Pty Ltd, acting for the mining operator, to discuss its proposal. Discussions have also been held with representatives of the Transport Forum WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to seek an industry-wide view of the proposal and potential associated issues. Main Roads is currently considering the proposal, including an assessment of the impacts increased axle loadings would have on the economic life of the road pavement asset. Any financial contribution would need to cover anticipated increased maintenance and reconstruction costs that would result from advanced wear on the pavement as a consequence of increased axle loads. Main Roads intends formally responding to the transport operator early in October outlining an appropriate cents-tonne-kilometre compensatory charge to allow increased axle loadings on this four-kilometre section of the highway. The transport operator and mining company would then need to consider the economic costs of paying the compensatory charge or constructing a haul road. It should be noted that the request is for the same vehicle configuration currently used - the only difference is that it is carrying more load per axle and therefore imposes greater pressure on the road surface. The requested arrangement has not previously been adopted anywhere by Main Roads.
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