Augusta Highway

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:59): My question is the Minister for Regional Roads. Can the minister provide an update on the Augusta Highway duplication from Port Wakefield to Lochiel?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (14:59): I just thought I gave you an update on that. Overtaking lanes?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: People who travel that road will see the great progress that is being made by the contractors on that: it is absolutely brilliant. There are lots of issues with regard to the compaction and stability of the ground around those areas. I was a bit surprised—unless people here understand, if you are going to build a road you're going to have to have stability. You can't just build it on the top. The road is still continuing to be made—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: —in the Port Wakefield township itself. The work is nearing completion and there will be an opening of the township section in the near future. The member for Narungga has indicated his support, and I've had meetings with the member for Narungga about some certain issues within the township itself. The duplication of the highway from Port Wakefield to Lochiel is progressing very, very well and it is because of the continued cooperation between the state government and the federal government to make certain that we have that opportunity.

It is not an easy task to do and, as the member for Hammond would understand, you cannot make a road overnight. There are lots and lots of issues on that road, but the water and the amount of moisture that is coming into ground at the moment is compacting the issues and frustrating the contractors.