BARRIER HIGHWAY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Road Safety questions about narrow bridges on the Barrier Highway.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: I have been contacted by constituents who regularly travel to the Broken Hill area via the Barrier Highway. For many years this highway incorporated a number of narrow bridges over creeks between Yunta and Cockburn. A number of these bridges have been upgraded in recent years; however, I am advised that two of them remain between Manna Hill and Olary, both crossing Cartwrights Creek. The bridges are not wide enough for both a car and truck to pass each other on them.

However, the only warning that drivers receive is a sign—and only one sign—with a road narrowing symbol. Given the large number of road trains using the Barrier Highway, particularly at night, my constituents are concerned about the dangerous nature of these bridges. Will the minister indicate when these dangerous bridges will be widened; and will the minister, as a matter of urgency, ensure that much more indicative signage is provided in the proximity of these bridges?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his important question. The issues that he raises do not sit just with my responsibility but also with that of the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy. However, some of them do sit with my responsibility, in particular, in terms of signage. I will ask the department to investigate, and I will bring back a response for the honourable member in relation to all the issues that he has raised.