Mr WOOD - 2003-06-19
Yesterday, I raised the issue of your department’s non-negotiable position on closing a left-hand entrance into the Coolalinga Service Station. You implied it was being closed because of perceived safety issues. Is it not a fact that there is no proof of any accident at that particular site? I quote from your own department’s position on this:
The accident statistics for the Mobil service station in the vicinity show eight accidents have occurred over the last five years, but there is no proof there were any accidents at this particular site.
Why then, if you believe safety is a concern, can your government spend millions of taxpayers’ dollars to put infrastructure in for one of the world’s biggest energy companies at Wickham Point, and you cannot spend a few lousy dollars in comparison to redesign - not eliminate - a simple entrance to a service station, so the small businessman can, just like ConocoPhillips, expand and create employment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. As I was saying before, I did not refer specifically to that area he referred to at Coolalinga. That has seen an unprecedented growth in the past few years. We cannot see this matter in isolation. We cannot just see the exit or the entry to the Mobil station. We have to see it in conjunction with the crossroad, and the way that Girraween Road joins the Stuart Highway.
I also said there was a public consultation period that finished yesterday. Just this lunch time, I met with one of my officers from the department who has been dealing with that particular issue. He had consultations with the public and the owner of Mobil. The department also consulted the public during the Freds Pass Show, and they had 200 people agreeing with the proposal of the department. However, as I stated yesterday, we are still talking to the owner of the Mobil petrol station. However, I repeat again, I am not prepared to compromise public safety for $100 000 or $100m. We are working to find the best solution for the public and for the Mobil petrol station, and we intend to do that. My understanding now is that the solution we are proposing to the owner of the Mobil petrol station is to his liking, and we believe we will find a very reasonable and acceptable solution for all parties.
The accident statistics for the Mobil service station in the vicinity show eight accidents have occurred over the last five years, but there is no proof there were any accidents at this particular site.
Why then, if you believe safety is a concern, can your government spend millions of taxpayers’ dollars to put infrastructure in for one of the world’s biggest energy companies at Wickham Point, and you cannot spend a few lousy dollars in comparison to redesign - not eliminate - a simple entrance to a service station, so the small businessman can, just like ConocoPhillips, expand and create employment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. As I was saying before, I did not refer specifically to that area he referred to at Coolalinga. That has seen an unprecedented growth in the past few years. We cannot see this matter in isolation. We cannot just see the exit or the entry to the Mobil station. We have to see it in conjunction with the crossroad, and the way that Girraween Road joins the Stuart Highway.
I also said there was a public consultation period that finished yesterday. Just this lunch time, I met with one of my officers from the department who has been dealing with that particular issue. He had consultations with the public and the owner of Mobil. The department also consulted the public during the Freds Pass Show, and they had 200 people agreeing with the proposal of the department. However, as I stated yesterday, we are still talking to the owner of the Mobil petrol station. However, I repeat again, I am not prepared to compromise public safety for $100 000 or $100m. We are working to find the best solution for the public and for the Mobil petrol station, and we intend to do that. My understanding now is that the solution we are proposing to the owner of the Mobil petrol station is to his liking, and we believe we will find a very reasonable and acceptable solution for all parties.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016