Mar2012_Haulage route given the hurry up

Moreton Bay Regional Council has called on the State Government to expedite plans for the Narangba hardrock haulage route.
Councillor for Division 11, Bob Millar said at last week’s council meeting he moved a resolution requesting that the Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas expedite construction of the dedicated haulage route.

“I don’t support any increase in quarrying activity that would put the community at risk and I am strongly in support of trucks being taken off local roads in Narangba,” Cr Millar said. 
“Residents want to see trucks off our local roads. Restricting these trucks to a dedicated haul route would be a good start.
“It’s time for the State Government to tell residents when the haul route will be delivered and to actually deliver it.”
Cr Millar said the Narangba hardrock haulage route was a state-controlled road project earmarked by the government in its 2002 ‘Whiteside/Rush Creek/Narangba Hardrock Haulage Strategy Study’.
“Despite having highlighted the project in 2011/12 State Budget documentation, the State Government has not provided any further detail about trigger points or timeframes for this project.”
“The community has heard very little about this project, since the former Minister for State Development, Tom Barton announced the State Government’s commitment to the Narangba hardrock haulage route back in 2002,” Cr Millar said.
http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=16661
“Residents in the area need certainty from the State Government about when the dedicated haul route will be delivered.”
Cr Millar said he also noted with interest, contents of a submission to council on the current quarry application (DA/2010/24996) in which the landowner, Boral states:

“Boral advises council and all stakeholders that it does not intend to pursue or implement the development proposed by this development application in the event that the application is approved. If the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 so provided, Boral would formally withdraw its consent to the development application being made over its land.”
“While the development application was lodged in 2010, by the former owners of the land, council is obliged to consider all applications received and to deal with these appropriately under the law.”
Cr Millar said the public notification phase on the application concluded today and council would consider the submissions received, in particular the submission from Boral.