SOIL REPLENISHMENT PROGRAM — CARNARVON
676. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Minister for Regional
Development:
I refer to the
soil replenishment program conducted in Carnarvon.
(1) Is the
minister aware that many growers consider they have received only a small
allocation of the soil required despite the stated 12 338 cubic metres
delivered being approximately 21 per cent more than was estimated to have been
required?
(2) How was the
amount of soil delivered recorded and accounted for?
(3) Given these
mounting concerns, will the minister order a survey of the pit the soil was
taken from?
(4) Was a competitive
tender process used to procure the cartage of the soil?
(5) If yes to
(4), was the lowest cost applicant awarded the contract?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I do hope the member is not
suggesting that one of the earthmovers in Carnarvon is dodgy. I really hope
that is not what he is suggesting. I hope, in particular, that the member is
not aligning himself with one of the earthmovers against another earthmover.
That having been said, the answer
to the question is —
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT: Order!
The minister is trying to provide the answer.
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN: I was
just giving a bit of advice in advance of that.
(1)–(2) The
soil volume was confirmed by the Loadrite receipt provided by the contractor
from the delivery tipper truck and certificate of bulk density of the area
being evacuated by a separate materials engineering laboratory. Topsoil was not
provided for roads or in areas not suitable for farming, such as within close proximity
to floodways or spillways.
(3) No. The pit
area was remediated as per a rehabilitation plan, which involved a redistribution
of topsoil from across the site to minimise depth of the disturbed area and
maintain a natural seed base on the site so that vegetation can be established
to protect the area from erosion.
(4) A competitive procurement process involving
requests for quote from four local contractors was undertaken with only
two quotes received. The procurement process was approved by the Department of
Finance.
(5) Yes.