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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-29 Daily Xml
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MURRAY RIVER FERRIES

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:57): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister assisting the Minister for Transport a question about River Murray ferries.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: Members would be aware that I previously highlighted the access limitations for residents of the area below Lock 1 as a result of the failure of the government to spend a relatively small amount of money to ensure that the ferries in that area can carry heavier transport vehicles. I was therefore interested to read an article in The Advertiser late last month which stated:

Ramps on a River Murray ferry have been extended by seven metres in a pilot project to keep ferries operating in low river levels. The Swan Reach ferry is now fitted with 9m-long ramps at either end, which allow it to sit in deeper water while vehicles board and alight. It means vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes, such as semi-trailers, can cross the river on the ferry instead of driving a further 30 kilometres to a bridge at Blanchetown. If the $250,000 Swan Reach project is successful, extended ramps could be installed on other ferries which have weight restrictions, depending on the type and location. Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure eastern region manager, Jon Whelan, said the prototype would be monitored over coming months. 'It's no different to a gang plank in crude terms', he said. The water level at Swan Reach is now 0.1 metre below sea level and has fallen about 0.2 metres in the past year. Weight restrictions are still in place on ferries at Walker Flat, Purnong, Tailem Bend and Narrung. The upstream ferry at Mannum is closed.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Given the urgency of restoring heavy vehicle ferry services at the locations mentioned, and particularly getting the second ferry at Mannum reopened, why is it necessary to monitor the Swan Reach extension for a period of months?

2. Will the minister assure the council that extended ramps will be rolled out to the other locations immediately after the Swan Reach pilot is deemed successful, if that is the case?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his important questions on River Murray ferries and will refer those questions to the relevant minister in another place and bring back a response.

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