Gascoyne Regional Road Group

Meeting No. 2 of 2012/2013 – 29 November 2012

2012/13 Gascoyne Regional Road Group Minutes

Held at 10:15am on 29 November 2012 (Shire of Exmouth)

  1. Attendance and apologies

The acting Chairperson Ross Winzer welcomed members and guests to the meeting.

Attendance

  • Ross WinzerCouncillor – Shire of Exmouth
  • Joe McLaughlinCouncillor – Shire of Shark Bay
  • Paul AndersonCEO – Shire of Shark Bay
  • Margaret PriorCouncillor – Shire of Shark Bay
  • Brian GalvinWorks Manager – Shire of Shark Bay
  • Brian WallInfrastructure Manager – Shire of Carnarvon
  • Bill PriceCEO – Shire of Exmouth
  • Keith WoodwardWorks Manager – Shire of Exmouth
  • Craig MantonRegional Manager – Main Roads Gascoyne
  • Rachel BoultonInfrastructure Technical Officer – Shire of Carnarvon
  • Samantha WhitburnCustomer Services Manager – Main Roads Gascoyne

Guests

  • Tim LaneWALGA
  • John LaneWALGA
  • Mark BondiettiWALGA

Apologies

  • Eddie SmithCouncillor – Shire of Carnarvon
  • Maurice BattilanaCEO – Shire of Carnarvon
  • Bill HopkinsonCouncillor – Shire of Carnarvon
  • Will TaylorWorks Manager – Shire of Carnarvon
  • Melissa PerrySenior Admin Infrastructure Officer – Shire of Carnarvon
  • Ross CollinsPresident – Shire of Upper Gascoyne
  • Lachlan McTaggartDeputy President, Shire of Upper Gascoyne
  • Dirk SellengerCEO – Shire of Upper Gascoyne
  • Cheryl CowellPresident – Shire of Shark Bay
  • Turk ShalesPresident – Shire of Exmouth
  • Engel PredergastWALGA Representative (Roadwise)
  • Brad PearceAsset Manager – Main Roads Gascoyne
  1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the Gascoyne Regional Road Group meeting held on the 24th August 2012 were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

Proposed: Joe McLauchlin / Second: Bill PriceCARRIED

  1. Business arising

3.1

  • Action: Sam to circulate RRG Members Roles and Responsibilities to all members prior to next meeting.
  • Action: Joe McLaughlin asked if Main Roads has progressed the suggestions made at the last RRG Meeting in relation to signage on Heavy Vehicles (in particular OSOM). Sam responded to say that it was raised with our HVO branch however progress to be followed up with Ernie Reynolds.
  • Ross Winzerasked if the RRG recommendation to have lighting installed at all major intersections was accepted by Main Roads. Craig Manton advised that it was not a feasible specification given that it would have to be applied across the state and funding limitations. However he was happy to support the region in championing the idea to improve road safety, on a case-by-case basis and dependent on funding availability.
  • Action: Paul Anderson raised the progress on RRG recommendation to the SAC to provide 40% of WANDRRA funding upfront. Sam advised that it was raised to FESA however has had no response. John Lane (WALGA) advised that WALGA had submitted the proposal to which they were expecting a response in the coming weeks. Sam to follow up before next meeting.
  1. Correspondence

4.1State Roads Funds to Local Government Advisory Committee Minutes

ACCEPTED

4.2Advice to LGA’s from Main Roads on erection of “unsealed road” signage following recommendations from a recent Coroners investigation report.

ACCEPTED

  1. Standing Reports

5.1Financial Reports

Samantha Whitburn provided the finance report up to the beginning of November 2012.

Proposed: Paul Anderson / Second: Keith Woodward

5.2Flood Damage Estimates & Claims

Cost Estimates and claims for WANDRRA funding to date were reviewed. WANDRRA Flood Damage Claims are almost complete – progress reports have been submitted by Shires of Exmouth, Upper Gascoyne and Shark Bay. Shire of Exmouth advised that works for AGRN 434 have been completed and their claim will be submitted in October.

5.3 MRWA Report

Craig Manton provided a report on Main Roads Gascoyne Regions current and future projects.

Current Projects Report

Improvements at NWCH and Speedway Rd / Palms Intersection

Construction works commenced on October 29th and are anticipated to be completed by December 19 at this stage. The project is being delivered through ISA partner Downer Mouchel by utilising the MCW process.

$1.24 million is currently available to complete the works, which was allocated in 2011/12 and 2012/13 financial years. The funding is a combination of State Blackspot and Network Safety and improvement funding.

Carnarvon Flood Mitigation Project

The Carnarvon Stage 2 Flood Mitigation Works Project (Works) comprises of the full design levee system of Lawson Street, Nickol Bay, South River Road and McGlades Road levees with the estimated design cost to be $60 million.

Parties to the project are: Shire of Carnarvon (Shire) - project proponent; Departmentof Regional Development and Lands (RDL) - funding body for $45 million Royalties for Regions (RfR) contribution; Department of Water (DoW) - technical expertise for the design of the flood mitigation levee systemwith MainRoadsWA(MRWA) directly managing the construction of the works with a project alliance contractor, MACA Civil.

Construction of the Six Mile levee design approximately 12km south of Carnarvon is progressing. These works commenced on 9th October and comprise construction of a levee, excavation of a drainage outfall channel and repairs to the rock protection adjacent to North West Coastal Highway.

Clearing permits for all Stage 2 works has been approved with Clearing of the Lawson Street levee complete. The final design of the Lawson Street and Nickol Bay levee cut offs is with GHD. The South River Road levee design is not finalized, currently with DoW and GHD.

The Browns Range Alliance (BRA) has set up an office at 231 Robinson Street to provide the public with a central location to obtain information on the project construction.

Safer Roads Program

Funds were secured in 2011/12 and 2012/13. These were intended to seal shoulders from Barradale to Onslow turn off. Works have fallen some 19km short of Onslow turn off and further funding is being sought to extend work to Onslow turn off with balance of funds next year to complete Onslow to Pannawonica. We are anticipating further funding to continue this program in 2013/14.

Carnarvon – Mullewa

Funding for the sealing of the sand primer seal has been provided in 2012/13, with this work being scheduled as part of our reseal program in early December 2012.

Strategic Projects

NWCH Widening – Minilya to Barradale

This 147km section of NWCH has a 6.2m seal with no sealed shoulders. With the increased movement of Road trains on this link, widening to a 7m seal and 1m sealed shoulders is desirable. Safety will be improved by providing for greater separation of heavy vehicles from each other and light vehicles. In addition the sealed shoulders will improve road safety and reduce shoulder maintenance works.

A recent fatal truck accident on this section has brought the issue into focus and has resulted in very negative media attention.

Survey and Design works have been completed. Aboriginal Heritage and Ethnographic investigations were completed in October 2011. Given lack of naturally occurring gravels, trial crushing of rock overburden from several pits will be undertaken in balance of financial year to determine feasibility of producing a crushed base course product. Initial funding in the order of $5M is being sought to commence the replacement of short culverts and stockpile materials in preparation for the project should construction funding become available.

Due to the projected increase of heavy vehicles there is a proposal being made to the Federal Government for Federal funding for NWCH.A submission has also been made to Infrastructure Australia to widen and strengthen the section of NWCH between 620.4 and 767.5 slk (Minilya to Barradale) and construct Bridges at Cave Creek and Goodeman Creek. The total amount of the submission is $275m. The suggested contribution is 80% Federal funding and 20% State. No response has been received.

Discussions are also in progress with proponents from the resource industry regarding the possibility of contributing funds given the urgency and impact of transport activities associated with Pilbara/Gascoyne resource mining industry.

Project Development of Five Bridges on NWCH

NWCH as the main link between regional centres at Geraldton, Carnarvon, Karratha and Port Hedland, provides access to various tourist destinations and coastal, mining and pastoral communities. It is also the main coastal freight route operating triple road trains north of Carnarvon. The rapid expansion of the oil and gas industries in the northern Gascoyne and southern Pilbara has substantially increased road train traffic on this link of the Network.

Five floodway’s between Barradale and Pannawonica on NWCH have been identified as requiring upgrading to bridges. By providing all weather access, safety at these locations will be improved by eliminating the risk of vehicles been washed-off the crossings in peak floods and motorists becoming stranded waiting for the rivers to subside.

The project development for the future construction of bridges over Cave Creek, Goodeman Creek, Toolunga Creek, Peedamulla and Peedamula East Creeks will continue through 2012.

Construction funding has not yet been identified.

Onslow Rd Widening

Onslow Rd is the main link to Onslow from NWCH. The road was constructed in the 1980’s to service the Onslow community and the subsequent salt operations in the town. The road has a 6.2m seal with 0.5 m unsealed shoulders.

Chevron provided funding to undertake short to medium term, minor improvements to the Onslow Road including sealing of the shoulders, provision of four overtaking opportunities, plus asphalt surface corrections to sections of weakened pavement and intersections. This work was completed in May.

Agreement in principle has also been reached with Chevron to fund a considerable portion of the works to widen and overlay the road, following the completion of Chevrons’ foundation works. This work is anticipated to commence in 2014/15.

Useless Loop Road

The sealing works were completed in mid-May. The next round of funding for sealing is expected to be provided in 2013/14.

NWCH / Robinson Street Intersection

While upgrade of intersection and associated land acquisition/land swap is not funded, Main Roads continues to investigate options for upgrade and opportunities to progress this project.

Babbage Island Road / Robinson Street Intersection

Preliminary design for a roundabout at this location has well progressed. While project is not funded Main Roads is seeking budgeting estimates from the utility providers, with a view to seeking funding for 2014/15 to complement the completion of the Police & Justice complex.

Solar Lighting – Shark Bay Road / NWCH Intersection

Funding has been secured for 2013/14 to install lighting at the Shark Bay Road/NWCH intersection with other pavement and drainage improvement works. Preliminary investigations suggest 5 lights will be required.

Action: Regional Road Run-off Program to be included in report.

Action: Craig Manton to follow up on funding status for Exmouth Road upgrades (south of Exmouth) – raised by Bill Price.

5.4 WALGA Report was presented by Tim Lane (Refer Agenda Papers)

Highlights were:

Commodity Route Funding

11/12 Asset Report

Heavy Vehicle Workshops

Roads 2030

Panel Contract

RegionalRun-off Road Program and Remote Crashes

Aviation Strategy

WANDRRA Funding Review

Action: Sam to follow up on deadline (and possible extension) to review Roads 2025 document and provide Local Roads strategies for the Roads 2030 Strategy. Meeting in February with LGA’s to discuss updates.

Action: Mark Bondietti to distribute electronic copy of the Panel Contract brochure.

Action: Tim Lane to follow up on CEEP LED street lighting assistance program to LGA’s – Stage 2. Issue was raised by Paul Anderson that LGA’s don’t have control of when lights are one and have resulted in a 30% increase as they are now on all night.

5.5Roadwise Report

No Roadwise Officer present. Report tabled and accepted.

  1. Other Business

Nil

  1. New Business

7.1Commodity Route Funding Submissions for 2013/14

Sam advised no submissions have been received. All LGA’s advised that they will not be placing any submissions for 2013/14 funding.

7.2Meeting Dates/Venues for 2013

Thursday 28th February @ 10:00am – Shire of Carnarvon

Thursday 27th June @ 10:00am – Shire of Carnarvon

Thursday 28th November @ 10:00am – Shire of Upper Gascoyne

7.3 Ningaloo Road Closure

Bill Price & Keith Woodward advised that the Shire of Exmouth are seeking response from key stakeholders regarding the possible closure of Ningaloo Access Road due to reoccurring sand-drift causing unsafe road conditions and high maintenance, which has been amplified since the recent bushfire destroying what vegetation was there. Discussionsraised that the issue is regional. Shire of Exmouth requested support from MRWA – Craig Manton advised that we will be happy to provide advice and possible materials testing however suggested that the RRG seek legal/technical advice from a consultant. Craig also supported the LGA’s to utilise RRG funding to improve/stabilise the materials as a long term solution, rather than being reactive to these situations.

7.4Reseal Programs

Action:Craig Manton requested all LGA’s submit an indicative figure for their 2013/14 annual reseal programs by February 2013 to coordinate across the region. Hagan Keating (MRWA) will approach all LGA’s.

8.0 Meeting Closed at 11.40pm

The next meeting will be held at the Shire of Carnarvon Thursday February 28, 2012 commencing at 10.00am

Gascoyne Regional Road Group Minutes of 29November 2012 MeetingPage 1