OUTBACK ROADS

299 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (21 October 2008).

1. Will the William Creek to Oodnadatta Road be graded in 2008-09, particularly the:

(a) Nilpinna Station to Paties Yard;

(b) the corner boundary of Allandale and Nilpinna Stations; and

(c) the Barton's Gap section?

2. What extra expenditure is planned in future years to cope with additional road maintenance needed as a result of increased mining traffic?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy): I provide the following information:

1. The William Creek to Oodnadatta Road is scheduled to be graded in March 2009.

The Nilpinna Station to Paties Yard was graded in October 2008;

The corner boundary of Allandale and Nilpinna Stations was graded in October 2008; and

The Barton's Gap section was graded in September 2008.

2. The government is working with the mining industry to look at a range of infrastructure needs associated with mining and managing these on a case by case basis.