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Jim Scott MLC
Member for South
Metropolitan Region
MEDIA
RELEASE
Northbridge Tunnel
Funding Black-hole
Recent Parliamentary Questions put to the Minister of Planning and Infrastructure by Greens Transport spokesperson Jim Scott MLC reveals that
maintenance on the Northbridge Tunnel is costing the WA taxpayer over $3 000 000 a year.
Since the opening of the Northbridge Tunnel in 2000 the State Government has paid contractor Baulderstone Clough $10 000 000 to `maintain` the tunnel.
When Mr Scott asked what the $ 3 000 000 per annum was spent on the Minister stated it was spent on structure cleaning, removal of litter, replacement of
lighting, signs, pavement and computers.
The original contract locks the State Government into this funding for 10 years.
Mr Scott then demanded detailed information to account for the items the $10 000 000 was spent on. The Minister could only offer the statement that, `The details
of the contractor’s internal cost breakdowns are not available to Main Roads WA.`
Mr Scott said he found this situation an abuse of the contract system and that transparent accounting demanded that all government costs be fully detailed.
He said that the $10 000 000 given so far to Baulderstone Clough was public money and as such the public deserved better information than `cleaning and
litter removal.`
Mr Scott intends to write to the Auditor General outlining his concerns and asking that the matter be investigated.
Parliamentary Questions follow……..
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Legislative Council- QUESTIONS ON NOTICE |
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Date: |
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Member: |
SCOTT MR J; TRAVERS |
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Subject: |
NORTHBRIDGE TUNNEL, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK, COST |
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Page: |
4293b - 4293b / 2 |
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NORTHBRIDGE TUNNEL, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK, COST
2033. Hon Jim Scott to the Parliamentary Secretary
representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
(1) Will the Minister detail what type of maintenance or repair
work was carried out on the Northbridge tunnel for -
(a) 2001;
(b) 2002; and
(c) 2003?
(2) How much was spent on maintenance or repair work
on the Northbridge tunnel for -
(a) 2001;
(b) 2002; and
(c) 2003?
(3) What liability does the constructor of the Northbridge tunnel have for
faults in construction?
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied:
(1) All aspects of the ongoing operation, maintenance and repair
of the Northbridge Tunnel are the responsibility of the Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture,
the contractor responsible for the lump sum contract that covers the first 10
years of operation of the facility. This includes routine maintenance such as
structure cleaning and removal of litter, detection and replacement of failed
lighting, maintenance of the road surface, signs and pavement markings to an
agreed standard and tunnel monitoring and infrastructure systems. It also
includes maintenance of the associated software and hardware systems.
(2) The following payments were made under the contract to
Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture:
2001/02 $3 261 534
2002/03 $3 357 959
2003/04 $3 378 000 (estimated)
(3) The constructor is required to correct all
defects or omissions, and is liable for all associated costs for a 10 year
period from the opening of the facility in April 2000.
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Legislative Council- QUESTIONS ON NOTICE |
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Date: |
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Member: |
SCOTT MR J; TRAVERS |
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Subject: |
NORTHBRIDGE TUNNEL, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK, COST |
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Page: |
5398c - 5399a / 1 |
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NORTHBRIDGE TUNNEL, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK, COST
2150. Hon Jim Scott to the Parliamentary Secretary representing
the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
(1) How much was spent on maintenance or repair work on the Northbridge tunnel for water
seepage or groundwater drainage problems in -
(a) 2001;
(b) 2002; and
(c) 2003?
(2) How much was spent on structural repair/work on
the Northbridge tunnel in -
(a) 2001;
(b) 2002; and
(c) 2003?
(3) How much was spent on road surface re-sealing
work on the Northbridge tunnel in -
(a) 2001;
(b) 2002; and
(c) 2003?
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied:
(1)-(3) As indicated in reply to Question 2033 (
