With reference to the upgrade of the southern Tasmanian Esperance Coast Road, funded under Auslink’s Strategic Regional Programme:

(1)   When an AusLink grant is awarded to a local council, what are the requirements of the Government in regard to that council having followed due process in approving the grant application if a substantial financial commitment by that council is required over the following two financial years.

(2)   What are the processes by which AusLink ensures that a local council follows due process in applying for an AusLink grant and its administration after funding is provided.

(3)   How does AusLink ensure that a local council has followed due process in allocating funding for the financial year in which it commences work on a project, if that financial year started before the grant was awarded and the funding was therefore not included in the budget for that year.

(4)   What are AusLink’s requirements for a local council, which has been awarded a large AusLink grant, to follow due process in obtaining planning permits for any boundary adjustments required for completion of the project.

(5)   How does the Government protect itself against the possibility that a local council does not follow due process in financial and/or planning aspects of carrying out the works.

(6)   In carrying out works for which a large AusLink grant has been awarded, what are the requirements that a local council complies with state planning regulations, such as the State Coastal Policy.

(7) (a)   What is the involvement of the Government in individual projects; and (b) what is the Government’s knowledge about the progress of work on such projects before the necessary planning process has been completed, and/or before contracts have been signed.

(8) (a)   Is the Minister aware that a public meeting attended by 250 people was held in Dover on 8 May 2007 in relation to works to be carried out in conjunction with AusLink funding; and (b) was a representative of AusLink present at that meeting.

(1) (2)   ,(4), (5) and (6) Councils are required to comply with the provisions of all relevant statutes, regulations, by-laws and requirements of any Commonwealth, State, Territory or Local Authority under section 25.1 of the funding agreement. This funding agreement contains penalties in the event of non-compliance against any clauses.

(1) (2)   , (3), (4), (5) and (6) In submitting the application for funding the representative of the Huon Valley Council warranted that they were authorised to submit the application on behalf of the Huon Valley Council and agreed to enter into a funding agreement for the Esperance Coast Road Upgrade. In doing so the authorised representative has declared that the council is able to undertake the project.

(1) (2)   , (4), (5) and (6) A funding agreement has been established between the Huon Valley Council on 23 February 2007 to reconstruct and seal 8.36 kilometres of the unsealed section of the Esperance Coast Road, together with essential rehabilitation of the 6.08 kilometre sealed section towards Dover. The rehabilitation, reconstruction and sealing will be carried out to a minimum sealed width of 5.5 metres as necessary, with 6 metres the preferred width and a minimum formation of 6.5 metres. The works include the replacement of an approximately 15 metre bridge, located on the sealed section on the outskirts of Dover.

(1) (2)   , (7) (a) and (b) The funding agreement requires that the Council provide two monthly reports on the progress of the project including details of activities for the previous two months and proposed activity for the next two months. The progress report includes details of how the project is progressing against timelines outlined in the funding agreement. The Council’s next project progress report is due in early June and it is understood that this will contain details of meetings that have been held in relation to the Esperance Coast Road Upgrade project.

(8) (a)   and (b) Council has advised that members of the public held a meeting 8 May 2007 to discuss the realignment of the Dover Bridge and the impact on the related road network. There was no AusLink representative at the meeting.