RURAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

406 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (2 December 2008). What extra expenditure is planned in future years for additional road maintenance 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:

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure closely monitors road transport trends to ensure that road maintenance activities are targeted where the greatest benefit can be provided to the community as a whole.

The Department is also presently considering a national initiative to adopt a cost recovery mechanism for the damage that large over-mass vehicles cause to the road asset. This will allow heavy vehicle operators the right to carry loads above the prescribed mass limits in exchange for payments to recover the costs of the resulting additional wear to the road network.

A South Australian trial is anticipated for 2010 and will be considered for specific applications such as mining operations.