The safety of South Australian bridges and the secret plans for the North-South Interconnector water pipe line will be referred today for urgent examination at the Public Works Committee.

 

Public Works Committee Member, Martin Hamilton-Smith MP, said that through the PWC he will endeavour to unveil the hidden information about these two important issues.

 

“The community hasn’t received any assurance that the safety of bridges in SA, in particular the 22 ‘poor’ bridges identified in the Department of Transport Energy and Infrastructure Reports accessed through FOI have been fixed or made secure,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

 

“Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Pat Conlon has been silent, ignoring calls for assurance that the bridges are safe and that DTEI is monitoring and reporting on bridges repairs and maintenance.

 

“Therefore today will I will ask; That the Public Works Committee enquire into arrangements within the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) for the repair and maintenance of bridges including arrangements for inspecting the condition and safety of bridges, with a view to determining whether a report on the condition of all bridges should be brought before the Public Works Committee on a biennial basis commencing in 2011.”

 

Mr Hamilton-Smith said that the debacle and secrecy surrounding the North South Interconnector pipeline will also be examined.

 

“Communities have been outraged about the arrogant manner in which information has leaked out about where and what constructions will be part of the pipeline network,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

 

“The cost and impact of this project requires urgent examination.

 

Mr Hamilton-Smith said that the public, including significant numbers of people in his electorate, are rightly frustrated at the lack of consultation to date and deserve to be better informed.”

 

Public Works Committee meets 9.30 AM Kingston Room Old Parliament House