Question On Notice No. 1584 asked in the Legislative Council on 23 August 2018 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Transport; Planning; Lands
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the Duke Street footbridge in Toodyay, and I ask:
(a) who has control and responsibility for the footbridge;
(b) on what date, on what grounds and by whom was the footbridge closed;
(c) on what date did the Public Transport Authority last formally assess the condition of the footbridge;
(d) will the Minister please provide a copy of the assessment report identified in (c);
(e) is the Minister committed to the retention of the footbridge and its repair to ensure safe access across the railway line between north and south Toodyay; and
(f) will the Minister meet with the Shire of Toodyay to discuss local concern in relation to the extended closure and uncertain future of the footbridge and, if so, when?
Answered on 20 September 2018
(a) Section 103 of the Public Works Act 1902 places control of such pedestrian crossings with the relevant local authority, in this case the Shire of Toodyay. The Public Transport Authority (PTA) has been maintaining the Toodyay footbridge on behalf of the Shire in recent years.
(b) The PTA closed the footbridge on 29 May 2018 following an inspection undertaken on the same day by Arc Infrastructure identifying safety issues and structural defects.
(c)-(d) An inspection was undertaken by PTA engineers on 1 June 2018 and a further inspection by independent third-party bridge engineers on 5 July 2018. Additionally, the PTA is engaging the services of suitably qualified engineers to undertake further investigative assessment. Upon completion of this work, relevant documentation can be made available, including an estimated cost of repair which is currently not available.
(e)-(f) The Minister and her office is happy to engage with the local member and Shire to reach a solution.