Mr MITCHELL - 1996-11-27
Many Australians were horrified when 9 people were killed in September following the collapse of a cliff face at Gracetown in Western Australia. Is the government considering any action to remove the potential risk of a rock fall from the cliffs at Bullocky Point in Fannie Bay?
Ms Martin interjecting.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, we have an interjection again from the member for Fannie Bay. It is refreshing to hear from the member for Millner a question of interest to Territorians rather than the drivel that we have had for the last 5 days of Question Time and which has been of little relevance to what the real people are concerned about.
The Gracetown tragedy illustrated the dangers of the natural environment, particularly unstable rock and sand formations along our coastline. Not long after that incident, a community-minded resident of Parap contacted, in the first instance, the Chief Minister about his concern in relation to an overhanging rock formation at Bullocky Point. The Chief Minister passed that on to me. Subsequently, an officer of the Department of Transport and Works, who is a senior engineer and geologist, investigated the area. He noted that an overhanging section of the cliff face, approximately 25 m in length, was predominantly composed of siltstone which is considered to have a medium to high strength. While there appeared to be no immediate danger, there was a possibility of that rock face collapsing in the future.
That is a popular area where people go walking to enjoy our wonderful coastline. It is virtually pristine thanks to the good environmental management undertaken by the Northern Territory government for the protection of our foreshores, particularly Darwin Harbour. Members opposite may laugh. This is a classic example of a popular part of the coastline close to urban areas of Darwin which people enjoy. This constituent of the member for Fannie Bay - one would think she would be a little more interested in this matter ...
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr REED: This constituent reported the potential risk of a rock fall. I am pleased to advise that this rock overhang will be removed. In addition, signs indicating the potential risk associated with the area will be installed.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
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Mr REED: The member for Wanguri continues to talk over ministers who are attempting to provide information of interest to people listening to the broadcast. It is a sad reflection on the appalling manners of members of the Labor Party that they do not wish people of the Northern Territory to hear information relating to public safety.
Cliff faces are inherently dangerous areas. Anyone who enters into the natural environment should bear in mind that the best way to ensure their personal safety is to give consideration to the circumstances they are about to enter, the activities they will pursue and the environment in which they will pursue them. Nonetheless, the government does have a responsibility in this regard. I commend the Parap resident for reporting this matter. I thank the officers of a number of departments who investigated it. Favourable tides from 9 December will enable an excavator to be used in an attempt to remove the overhanging rock and improve public safety in that area.
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Ms Martin interjecting.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, we have an interjection again from the member for Fannie Bay. It is refreshing to hear from the member for Millner a question of interest to Territorians rather than the drivel that we have had for the last 5 days of Question Time and which has been of little relevance to what the real people are concerned about.
The Gracetown tragedy illustrated the dangers of the natural environment, particularly unstable rock and sand formations along our coastline. Not long after that incident, a community-minded resident of Parap contacted, in the first instance, the Chief Minister about his concern in relation to an overhanging rock formation at Bullocky Point. The Chief Minister passed that on to me. Subsequently, an officer of the Department of Transport and Works, who is a senior engineer and geologist, investigated the area. He noted that an overhanging section of the cliff face, approximately 25 m in length, was predominantly composed of siltstone which is considered to have a medium to high strength. While there appeared to be no immediate danger, there was a possibility of that rock face collapsing in the future.
That is a popular area where people go walking to enjoy our wonderful coastline. It is virtually pristine thanks to the good environmental management undertaken by the Northern Territory government for the protection of our foreshores, particularly Darwin Harbour. Members opposite may laugh. This is a classic example of a popular part of the coastline close to urban areas of Darwin which people enjoy. This constituent of the member for Fannie Bay - one would think she would be a little more interested in this matter ...
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr REED: This constituent reported the potential risk of a rock fall. I am pleased to advise that this rock overhang will be removed. In addition, signs indicating the potential risk associated with the area will be installed.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Page 1838
Mr REED: The member for Wanguri continues to talk over ministers who are attempting to provide information of interest to people listening to the broadcast. It is a sad reflection on the appalling manners of members of the Labor Party that they do not wish people of the Northern Territory to hear information relating to public safety.
Cliff faces are inherently dangerous areas. Anyone who enters into the natural environment should bear in mind that the best way to ensure their personal safety is to give consideration to the circumstances they are about to enter, the activities they will pursue and the environment in which they will pursue them. Nonetheless, the government does have a responsibility in this regard. I commend the Parap resident for reporting this matter. I thank the officers of a number of departments who investigated it. Favourable tides from 9 December will enable an excavator to be used in an attempt to remove the overhanging rock and improve public safety in that area.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016