Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2009-06-11
Prior to the local government reforms, the southern end of the road which went from Cahills Crossing in South Alligator to Maningrida was maintained by Gunbalanya council; the other part by Maningrida council. Confusion reigns in your department and other government agencies as to who is responsible for the maintenance of that road. Will you please provide information in relation to the road contracts, as the West Arnhem Shire certainly is not answering any questions. I was on that road on the weekend and it is in the worst condition I have ever seen. Can you please provide information as to who is responsible for those road contracts?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. She constantly raises the condition of the Oenpelli road with me, as she does also the condition of the Arnhem Highway. Both are critically important access routes out there.
The Northern Territory government maintains the road from Gunbalanya to Maningrida, including the Oenpelli road. These roads are a combination of sealed, gravel, and formed roads. The very unfortunate vehicle rollover referred to in today’s NT News article occurred on the unsealed section of the Oenpelli road. Since March this year, the Oenpelli road has received three maintenance grades - that is three grades over the past three-and-a-half months. There are graders currently working on the road, I am informed by the Roads department.
Gravel re-sheeting contracts of selected sections of Oenpelli road between the crossing and the end of the road have been issued to the West Arnhem Shire and, I am advised, were commenced this week. In addition, re-gravelling works are happening this Dry Season on the Maningrida access road. This is a $500 000 project and is in addition to the two grades that were carried out on this section of the road since the Wet Season.
We are also undertaking improvement of the Coopers Creek and Goomadeer River crossings on the Maningrida access road by constructing a rocky base to both of those crossings. This is in addition to routine maintenance that will be ongoing.
Member for Arafura, I will ensure my office provides all that detailed information to you in writing.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. She constantly raises the condition of the Oenpelli road with me, as she does also the condition of the Arnhem Highway. Both are critically important access routes out there.
The Northern Territory government maintains the road from Gunbalanya to Maningrida, including the Oenpelli road. These roads are a combination of sealed, gravel, and formed roads. The very unfortunate vehicle rollover referred to in today’s NT News article occurred on the unsealed section of the Oenpelli road. Since March this year, the Oenpelli road has received three maintenance grades - that is three grades over the past three-and-a-half months. There are graders currently working on the road, I am informed by the Roads department.
Gravel re-sheeting contracts of selected sections of Oenpelli road between the crossing and the end of the road have been issued to the West Arnhem Shire and, I am advised, were commenced this week. In addition, re-gravelling works are happening this Dry Season on the Maningrida access road. This is a $500 000 project and is in addition to the two grades that were carried out on this section of the road since the Wet Season.
We are also undertaking improvement of the Coopers Creek and Goomadeer River crossings on the Maningrida access road by constructing a rocky base to both of those crossings. This is in addition to routine maintenance that will be ongoing.
Member for Arafura, I will ensure my office provides all that detailed information to you in writing.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016