Minutes of HSAG Meeting

Tuesday 15^th February 2000

PCYC Orange NSW

Meeting opened: 7.00pm

Apologies

Bruce Tinsey, Frank Bollinger, Kevin Sinclair, Susan Young, Roger Johnson

Motion: That the apologies be accepted.

Moved

Keith Goodridge

Seconded

Marj Bollinger

Carried

Present

Bob Burrell, Claire Braund, Colin Barnes (Chair), Marj Bollinger, Keith Goodridge, Graham Dun, Margaret Turner, Moira Reynolds, Moya Crowe, Peter Lewis, Tom Hetherington

Motion: That the minutes of the previous meeting be adopted.

Moved

Marj Bollinger

Seconded

Tom Hetherington

Carried

Business Arising

Colin advised that he had spoken to Peter Andren regarding the shoulder works at Kings Plains. Work is not proceeding.

Correspondence

Inward

1. Nick Redmond - reduction of speed limit between Lithgow and Bathurst from 110r to 100 km/hr.

2. Membership application from Daryl Taylor, Bathurst Public Transport Initiative

3. Rail Directions

Motion: That the inward correspondence be received.

Moved

Marj Bollinger

Seconded

Bob Burrell

Carried

Outward

1. Submission to RTA Newell Highway Road Train Study opposing introduction of road trains the length of the Newell Highway. Claire Braund suggested submission be amended (16/2) to include RTA's decision to reduce speed limit between Lithgow and Bathurst, evidence that the Newell Highway does not meet standards for existing traffic without addition of extra long heavy vehicles.

2. Dept. Urban Affairs and Planning regarding the proposed transport of mining product on part of State Highway 6 between Cowra and Blayney. HSAG supported Colin Barnes submission, which opposed transporting mining product by road when a new rail link had just been opened. Meeting resolved that the secretary should issue a press release to this effect in support of the submission.

3. Sydney Road Links Committee advising of change of address of secretary.

4. RTA endorsing Graham Dun's submission regarding Little Hartley EIS and attaching a proposal for the construction of the road between Marrangaroo and Newnes Junction.

5. Mr Mitchell regarding realignment of Castlereagh Highway, north of Walgett, advising it was too late for HSAG to have influenced plans to proceed with realignment and new timber bridge.

Motion: That the actions of the secretary be endorsed.

Moved

Marj Bollinger

Seconded

Bob Burrell

Carried

Secretary's Report

Claire Braund Secretary advised that she had followed up on the competitive tendering issue until the NSW Government backed away from its proposal and that she was working her way through the numerous transport reports with a view to bringing them together into one document.

Motion: That the secretary's report be received.

Moved

Marj Bollinger

Seconded

Keith Goodridge

Carried

Treasurer's Report

$4,634.37 in the bank

Motion: That the Treasurer's report be received.

Moved

Graham Dun

Seconded

Marj Bollinger

Carried

Accounts for payment

Motion: That Claire Braund, secretary, be paid a travelling allowance of $50 per trip to attend HSAG meetings from Sydney.

Moved

Marj Bollinger

Seconded

Keith Goodridge

Carried

General Business

Reduction in speed on Great Western Highway

Discussion regarding RTA's decision to reduce the speed limit between Lithgow and Bathurst from 110km/hr to 100km/hr in February. Marj Bollinger advised that she had not made any statements in the press when she was informed of a transport analysis that showed a high accident rate on the highway since the speed limit was raised in response to HSAG action several years ago. Claire Braund advised that the analysis was done by an RTA employee and that the accident rate on the highway was not significantly higher than when the speed limit was 100km/hr. Graham Dun raised the issue of transport efficiency and the added cost that the speed reduction would add to freight and people movements.

Increased movement on Summer Street, Orange, since Christmas

Peter Lewis advised of heavier vehicle movements. Asked by the meeting to monitor and report.

Lack of consultation from RTA

Graham Dun said he was concerned the RTA was not adequately consulting with the public on proposed roadworks and there was a need for legislation to establish regional advisory organisations to deal with matter related to road development and use. Claire Braund suggested he write to the Minister as the RTA was under his direction and could not act without his approval. Graham advised that he would also take the matter up with Gerard Martin.

Website development

Claire Braund advised that she would be working on developing a website for the HSAG with information from its inception. Stressed the importance of having all information in a consistent format. Moya Crowe volunteered to type hand written minutes into the computer.

Funding

Discussion about sourcing funding for HSAG. Claire Braund advised she would look for funding sources, including the possibility of getting computers and Internet training for HSAG members.

Meeting Closed: 9.20pm