Ms CARNEY - 2005-08-24
In relation to the letter written by Paul Tyrrell to the CEO of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, in the attachment to the letter it is apparent that the sacred site clearances are not yet through on the Mereenie Loop Road in Central Australia and they continue to be a sticking point. This development is vital to the future of Central Australia, as I believe you have said on more than one occasion. What action will you take to get those clearances through and protect the Central Australian tourism industry,? and wWhy was it that you indicated to the people of Central Australia that it was full steam ahead on the Mereenie Loop prior to the election?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is full steam ahead. Currently, there is $8m-worth of contracts, as much as we can spend in this financial year, of work being done on sections of the Mereenie Loop. When I say ‘full steam ahead’, I reckon spending $8m on a road through one year is pretty good going.
Ms Carney: Well, it has been in the budget for three.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I have also been very clear …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: It is interesting …
Mr Stirling: How much did you blokes seal?
Ms MARTIN: Yes, exactly! How much did the Country Liberal Party, in government, seal of the Mereenie Loop? You made a bit of noise about it.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: Not one inch of bitumen.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I have made no bones about the fact that we have had some difficulties with some areas. We are working through those particular issues with the Central Land Council, and I am confident we will. When you take on a task of this size, sealing those many kilometres of road, critical road for tourism, particularly, critical road for a lot ofmany Aboriginal communities whoich live off the Mereenie Loop, there are always issues that have to be dealt with. That is a factor of building roads in the Territory.
We are working through, with the Central Land Council, the issues about sacred sites protection, road access to gravel pits, together with a lot ofmany other thingsissues that are part of building and sealing a road like Mereenie Loop.
Currently, $8m is being spent. A very important part to be sealed is the section in Kings Canyon. If you have driven that road, the part heading north from Kings Canyon with the jump up is an area that causes a lot of accidents,. so I am very pleased that part of being sealed is that section of road is being sealed.
We are very strongly moving with our commitment, very strongly. There have been some problems that have delayed work, however, this financial year we have $8 m-worth of works out there and we will follow that up with a similar amount next year. I am confident we will get it sealed,. wWe will get tourism really blossoming between Uluru and Alice Springs. The only negativity around I can hear is from the Opposition Leader.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is full steam ahead. Currently, there is $8m-worth of contracts, as much as we can spend in this financial year, of work being done on sections of the Mereenie Loop. When I say ‘full steam ahead’, I reckon spending $8m on a road through one year is pretty good going.
Ms Carney: Well, it has been in the budget for three.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I have also been very clear …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: It is interesting …
Mr Stirling: How much did you blokes seal?
Ms MARTIN: Yes, exactly! How much did the Country Liberal Party, in government, seal of the Mereenie Loop? You made a bit of noise about it.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: Not one inch of bitumen.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I have made no bones about the fact that we have had some difficulties with some areas. We are working through those particular issues with the Central Land Council, and I am confident we will. When you take on a task of this size, sealing those many kilometres of road, critical road for tourism, particularly, critical road for a lot ofmany Aboriginal communities whoich live off the Mereenie Loop, there are always issues that have to be dealt with. That is a factor of building roads in the Territory.
We are working through, with the Central Land Council, the issues about sacred sites protection, road access to gravel pits, together with a lot ofmany other thingsissues that are part of building and sealing a road like Mereenie Loop.
Currently, $8m is being spent. A very important part to be sealed is the section in Kings Canyon. If you have driven that road, the part heading north from Kings Canyon with the jump up is an area that causes a lot of accidents,. so I am very pleased that part of being sealed is that section of road is being sealed.
We are very strongly moving with our commitment, very strongly. There have been some problems that have delayed work, however, this financial year we have $8 m-worth of works out there and we will follow that up with a similar amount next year. I am confident we will get it sealed,. wWe will get tourism really blossoming between Uluru and Alice Springs. The only negativity around I can hear is from the Opposition Leader.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016