STURT HIGHWAY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Road Safety a question in relation to road safety on the Sturt Highway.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: Last month I asked a question of the minister regarding the delays in the construction of a weighbridge adjacent to the Yamba fruit fly roadblock and the resultant community concerns about road safety, particularly relating to the potential overloading of heavy vehicles.

Since that time, I have been advised that, after years of planning for the weighbridge at Yamba by Primary Industries and Resources SA, SAPOL and the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, a decision has been made to move the proposed weighbridge to a new site. My questions are:

1. Will the minister confirm that DTEI has now determined that the Yamba site is unsuitable due to the traffic disruption which could be caused during the annual recalibration of the weighbridge?

2. Will the minister advise the council when this decision was made?

3. Given the long period of planning by the three South Australian government agencies, when was the issue of the traffic disruption first raised?

4. What action has been taken to find a new, suitable location for a Riverland weighbridge on the southern side of the Sturt Highway?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his questions in relation to the weighbridge at Yamba. The honourable member has asked me a series of questions in relation to this issue. I do not have those answers with me today. Clearly, I will ask the Minister for Transport in the other place to respond to the honourable member.