PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
1992
SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTIETH PARLIAMENT
___________________
QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS
No. 10
WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 1992
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[The Questions and Answers Paper published for the first sitting day in each week will contain, by number and title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on the previous sitting and any new questions. On subsequent days, new questions are printed, as are questions to which answers were received the previous day. Consequently the full text of any question will be printed only twice: when notice is given; and, when answered.]
[Pursuant to the Sessional Order adopted by the House on 20 February 1992, Members shall only be permitted to lodge 5 questions on notice during a sitting week, provided that the Leader of the Opposition shall be permitted to lodge 12 questions on notice during a sitting week. Ministers shall lodge answers to questions on notice within 15 sitting days after the question is first published and such answer shall be published forthwith.]
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| DATE OF PUBLICATION OF QUESTION | ANSWER TO BE LODGED BY |
Q. & A. No. 1
(Including Question Nos 1 to 53) | 27 March 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 2
(Including Question Nos 54 to 77) | 7 April 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 3
(Including Question Nos 78 to 95) | 8 April 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 4
(Including Question Nos 96 to 149) | 9 April 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 5
(Including Question Nos 150 to 175) | 10 April 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 6
(Including Question Nos 176 to 210) | 28 April 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 7
(Including Question Nos 210 to 231) | 29 April 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 8
(Including Question Nos 232 to 258) | 30 April 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 9
(Including Question Nos 259 to 323) | 1 May 1992 |
Q. & A. No. 10
(Including Question Nos 324 to 343) | 5 May 1992 |
Notice of Question given on the date shown
20 FEBRUARY 1992
(Paper No. 1)
*15 STATE RAIL AUTHORITY RETIRED COMPENSATEE REDEMPTION
___ Mr Langton asked the Minister for Transport
___
(1) Did the Compensation Manager for the State Rail Authority, together with legal representatives, travel to New Zealand for a workers' compensation redemption for retired compensatee, Mr Frank Bennett?
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(2) If so:
(a) Why couldn't an agent in New Zealand have handled this matter?
(b) Was the amount of the redemption just $17,000?
(c) What were the costs and associated costs incurred in travelling to New Zealand?
(d) Was an agreement reached on this compensation before the party left Australia?
(2) (a) State Rail's solicitors had advised that representation would assist in the settlement of the claim at a sitting of the Compensation Court, on circuit in New Zealand, in July 1991.
(b) The amount of settlement was $19,500. State Rail's solicitors have advised that this represents a ". . . substantial saving on the Authority's potential exposure" in the case.
(c) Costs for State Rail's representatives were $6,156.71.
(d) No. The offer of redemption was made by Mr Bennett's counsel following the commencement of proceedings of the Court. State Rail's Compensation Manager was then involved in the negotiations to achieve this redemption.
*44 ELECTRICITY HOUSE ASBESTOS REMOVAL
___Mr Rogan asked the Minister for the Environment representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Energy
___
(1) When was asbestos first detected in Electricity House (formally Hyde Park Towers)?
(2) When was the decision made to have the asbestos removed?
(3) When was the contract let for removal of the asbestos?
(4) How much is the removal costing?
(5) Is new office furniture and carpet being installed throughout the areas to be used by the Electricity Commission?
(6) What is the cost of the complete refurbishing excluding asbestos removal?
(7) When will all refurbishing be completed?
(8) How much potential rent has been lost as a result of the floors not being leased from the time asbestos was detected to the time the contract is completed?
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I am advised by the Minister for Planning and Minister for Energy that the answers to the honourable member's questions are:
(2) Asbestos was first discovered in the ceiling space of the floors. Quotations from three companies were called immediately (February 1989) for the removal of asbestos from the ceiling space of one floor that had been recently vacated, whilst further investigations of the extent of asbestos were carried out. These quotations and investigations indicated that the required method of removing the asbestos meant removal of carpet, ceilings and fittings which were up to 15 years old.
A decision was made in April 1989 to proceed with the partial refurbishment of Electricity House, including asbestos removal. A specification was prepared with the aim of calling tenders in September 1989. However, further investigations revealed the extent of asbestos and the costs of its removal. As the building's occupants were not exposed to a hazardous environment, the Electricity Commission deferred calling tenders until a review was done of the Commission's needs for its Head Office, and other sites were investigated for possible use. The Commission resolved in December 1989 to continue to own Electricity House and to let contracts to remove asbestos from the building. The Commission further resolved in March 1990 that its Head Office would be consolidated in Electricity House.
(3) Tenders were called in April 1990 for the partial refurbishment of Electricity House, including asbestos removal, and the contract was let in September 1990.
(4) The asbestos removal component of the contract is estimated to cost $16,421,000, but some work costed under other trades is only necessary because of asbestos removal. This consequential work is estimated to cost $17,695,000.
(5) The old carpet had to be removed to allow efficient and safe removal of the asbestos. This was replaced with new carpet on completion of asbestos removal. As part of the building refurbishment, the Commission has opted to use workstation furniture. This allows a greater occupancy per floor, thus maximising the number of floors available for lease.
(6) The total amount allocated to the contract for refurbishment is $46,521,000 (June 1990 dollars) of which $16,421,000 is for asbestos removal; $17,695,000 is directly consequential to the removal of asbestos; and $12,405,000 is for the refitting of 17 floors for Electricity Commission occupancy.
(7) The building refurbishment is due for completion in December 1992.
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(8) At the time asbestos was first detected in Electricity House, the Commission was in the process of consolidating its accommodation requirements due to rationalisation of its Head Office. As a result a number of floors in Electricity House became partly vacant. When the decision was made to refurbish the building, further consolidation of floor space was necessary to enable the contractor to commence work. It was not practical within the time limits involved to offer the partially vacant floors for rental as the additional cost of presenting these floors in a rental condition was not economic.
The contract programme was designed to give a maximum number of vacant floors to the contractor in order that the time for refurbishment of the whole building could be minimised. The contractor had 7 floors handed over initially and is currently working on 10 floors. Refurbished floors not occupied by the Commission (i.e., highrise floors above level 24) will be leased at maximum rents.
26 FEBRUARY 1992
(Paper No. 3)
*93 COMPENSATION COURT LITIGANT MR MELVIN CHEERS
___Mr Martin asked the Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Further Education, Training and Employment
___
(1) Did the Compensation Court handle cases on behalf of Mr Melvin Cheers?
(2) Were these cases finalised and if so, how much money was awarded?
(3) What costs arrangements were given on the judgements?
(4) Which insurance companies were involved in these actions?
(5) Which were found responsible?
Page 224
Mr Melvin Cheers' workers compensation claim was dealt with by the Compensation Court of New South Wales. As administration of the Court is the responsibility of my colleague, the Hon. Terence Griffiths, M.P., Minister for Justice, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter.
27 FEBRUARY 1992
(Paper No. 4)
*113 BROADMEADOW LOCOMOTIVE WORKSHOPS DROP PIT
___Mr Gaudry asked the Minister for Transport
___
(1) How many private contractors were used to construct the drop pit and overhead crane at the Broadmeadow Locomotive Workshops?
(2) Who were they and how much were they paid?
(3) When was construction commenced?
(4) Why is this facility still not operating?
(5) Where are engines requiring the services of this drop pit being repaired while it awaits to be commissioned?
(6) Why is this mismanagement of the State Rail Authority occurring?
(1) Originally four private contractors were used to construct the drop pit and overhead crane at the Broadmeadow Locomotive Workshops.
(2) Initially, contractors involved were:
Vetter Trittler Pty Ltd of Bibra Lake, Western Australia.
Milleen Constructions Pty Ltd of Gateshead, New South Wales.
Polyform Engineering Pty Ltd of Smithfield, New South Wales.
Billingham Constructions.
The payments totalled approximately $621,000.
(3) Construction commenced in early 1989. The drop table work was 90 per cent completed by October 1989 and the overhead crane was 58 per cent completed by December 1989.
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(4) As at February 1992, the drop pit was fully operational. However, completion of the project was delayed for the following reasons:
In late 1989 it became apparent that Vetter Trittler Pty Ltd were in commercial difficulties and in February 1990 payments were withheld due to their lack of performance on this project. In June 1990 they went into liquidation.
Welding work by the overhead crane and crane runway contractors was rejected early in 1990 and additionally in August 1990 this runway contractor went into liquidation with work incomplete.
In both cases the State Rail Authority held prolonged discussions with receivers to finalise contractual matters and retrieve vital componentry. In December 1990, $33,000 was approved to complete the project.
State Rail and local contractors commenced the refit in June 1991 following receipt of componentry and correction of welding defects.
(5) Locomotive engines requiring drop pit services were transferred to Werris Creek for repair work until the drop pit at Broadmeadow was commissioned.
(6) There has been no mismanagement by State Rail. Procedures for tendering and award of contracts were entirely in accordance with State Rail guidelines and the work was completed within the original budget for the project.
The project was delayed 18 months primarily by the slow down of activity prior to the liquidation of the two principal contractors and the need to let new contracts and rectify the welding defects on the overhead crane.
*136 AUBURN ELECTORATE TRAFFIC RADAR CAMERAS
___Mr Nagle asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Roads
___
(1) On metropolitan roads, how many:
(a) fatal accidents?
(b) accidents causing personal injury?
(c) accidents not causing personal injury?
have occurred between signs that warn that there may be a radar camera to record people who speed between:
(i) Lilyfield Road, Haberfield?
(ii) Windsor Road, North Parramatta, from the freeway exit to 4 kilometres north along that road?
(iii) Rookwood Road, Yagoona, 300 metres north of Brunker Road to the Hume Highway?
(2) Why was there a need to have radar cameras in these areas?
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(2) Speed camera sites were selected at those locations where excess speed was a problem and existing techniques for determining and apprehending speeding vehicles could not be employed to address the situation.
The three sites in question were examined and ranked, along with other selected sites, in order of the frequency of speed related crashes.
5 MARCH 1992
(Paper No. 7)
*211 F5 CROSSROADS LINK
___Mr Anderson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Roads
___
(1) Does the average daily traffic volume passing through the intersection of the F5 Freeway and Hume Highway exceed 85,000 vehicles?
(2) What length of roadway would be required to complete the F5 link between the Hume Highway and Crossroads?
(3) What is the estimated cost of construction of the F5 link to Crossroads?
(4) When is it planned to construct the link to Crossroads?
(5) Will that Crossroads link to the F5 go through, under or over the intersection with the Hume Highway?
(6) What are the estimated costings for going:
(a) Through the intersection?
(b) Under the intersection?
(c) Over the intersection?
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(7) Why is the Crossroads link not part of the current contract for F5 link from Beverley Hills to Liverpool?
(8) (a) Will you take action to ensure the urgent construction of the Crossroads link?
(1) No. The estimated flow on the Hume Highway between the Crossroads and the F5 at Casula is 80,000 per day.
(3) $70 million to $90 million.
(4) Having regard to the current funding position, funds for this work will not be available from the Roads and Traffic Authority's normal sources for about 10 years.
The Authority is pursuing a number of options to advance the work. These include construction by private venture and the potential for Federal funding. No successful conclusion has yet been achieved.
(5) and (6) A number of bridges would be required including a bridge to carry the Hume Highway over the freeway. There are no proposals for an at grade intersection or a bridge over the highway. No costs have been prepared for alternatives.
(7) It was not financially viable at the time of negotiation.
*220 CASTLEREAGH LIQUID WASTE DEPOT AUDIT
___Mr Gibson asked the Minister for the Environment
___
How will toxic waste be disposed if the independent audit into Castlereagh Liquid Waste Depot finds that the depot must close?
This matter will be considered as part of the process in preparing a Cabinet submission in conjunction with the results of the Independent Environmental Audit into the Castlereagh Liquid Waste Depot.
Page 228
Although all issues need to be contemplated, it is not productive to encourage speculative debate prior to an informed consideration of these issues as part of the Cabinet process.
17 MARCH 1992
(Paper No. 10)
324 LITHGOW POLICE AND CITIZENS YOUTH CLUB FUNDING
___Mr Clough to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
___
(1) What funding will be made available to Lithgow Police and Citizens Youth Club in 1991/92 for:
(a) Special projects?
(b) Building maintenance?
(2) Is this a reduction in funding from previous years?
325 WALLERAWANG POWER STATION
___Mr Clough to ask the Minister for the Environment representing the Minister for Planning and Minister for Energy
___
(1) Is Wallerawang Power Station the most economical unit in the Elcom Power Generation Sector?
(2) Has the power station been advised that until further notice production will be lowered so that one unit only will operate even during the winter?
(3) Has this been brought about by Elcom having to meet contracts entered into with suppliers to the northern stations?
(4) Who are the private suppliers to the northern power stations?
(5) Why is it necessary to partially close down Wallerawang and increase generation at other less economical stations?
(6) Is another staff review pending for Wallerawang Power Station?
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326 BATHURST RACECOURSE DEVELOPMENT
___Mr Face to ask the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing and Minister Assisting the Premier
___
(1) How much topsoil was used in the renovation of Bathurst Racecourse?
(2) Where was it obtained from?
(3) If it was obtained from a private property, what arrangements were entered into with the owners?
(4) If the owners permission was not sought, who authorised the removal of the topsoil from that property?
(5) (a) Was a survey carried out as to the ownership of the property?
(6) (a) Was the topsoil removed totally used on the racecourse?
(b) If not, where was the remaining topsoil deposited?
(7) Was any member of the racecourse trust a recipient of the topsoil?
(8) (a) Was he a member of the racecourse trust at the time?
(9) (a) Was any member of the trust awarded a contract for supply of turfing and laying of same at the Bathurst Racecourse?
(b) If so:
(i) Who?
(ii) What was the tender process?
327 WEST WALLSEND FIRE STATION
___Mr Hunter to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
___
(1) (a) At West Wallsend Fire Station, will the Government replace the lean-to wire enclosure and fund extensions to properly house the water tanker?
(2) (a) Will the Government fund extensions to the station to improve amenities for the volunteer fire fighters?
(3) (a) Will the Government upgrade the present standby/replacement Dennis/JAG appliance with an International appliance?
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328 LAKE MACQUARIE FIRE STATIONS
___Mr Hunter to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
___
(1) Over the past 3 years, in the electorate of Lake Macquarie, what money has been spent on:
(a) Capital improvements to fire station buildings?
(b) Fire station appliances?
(c) Fire station apparatus?
(d) What funds are planned to be allocated in the future for (a) and (b) above?
(2) (a) Should all Lake Macquarie Fire Stations have oxy viva apparatus?
(b) Do all Lake Macquarie Fire Stations have oxy viva apparatus?
(c) If not, why not?
329 HUNTER REGION AMBULANCE SERVICES AND POLICE
___Mr Hunter to ask the Minister for Health Services Management
___
(1) On how many occasions have police officers assisted single-crewed ambulances with patient transfers in:
(a) The Hunter Ambulance Service area?
(b) The Westlakes area?
(2) Has the Ambulance Service paid for any of the police officers' wages, or been billed by the Police Service for the associated costs?
(3) (a) In 1991, did a Westlakes police officer assist a sole ambulance officer with the transfer of a Morisset Hospital patient?
(b) If so:
(i) For what reason?
(ii) Who paid for the police officer's wages?
(c) In this incident, was permission not granted for a Doyalson ambulance officer to assist?
(d) If so, for what reason?
(e) In that incident, did a second police officer relieve the first and continue in assisting with the transfer?
(f) If so:
(i) For what reason?
(ii) Who paid for the police officer's wages?
(4) Will he implement the recommendations of the recently released review of the Hunter Ambulance Service and increase manning at Cooranbong and Toronto Ambulance Stations?
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330 ABORIGINAL POLICE OFFICERS
___Mr Markham to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
___
(1) How many male Aboriginal police officers are there in the NSW Police Force?
(2) What is the rank of each of these officers?
(3) How many female Aboriginal police officers are there in the NSW Police Force?
(4) What is the rank of each of these officers?
(5) What is the projected numbers of male and female Aboriginal enrolments at the Goulburn Police Academy in 1992?
(6) What programmes are in place to encourage more Aborigines to join the NSW Police Force?
331 ILLAWARRA AREA ASSISTANCE SCHEME PROJECTS
___Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Health Services Management representing the Minister for Health and Community Services
___
When will the Illawarra projects to be funded under the Area Assistance Scheme be announced?
332 COMMUNITY SERVICES FUNDING
___Mr Markham to ask the Minister for Health Services Management representing the Minister for Health and Community Services
___
(1) Have any funds from the Training Component of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program been used to train Community Program Officers in the Department of Community Services about issues pertaining to the Social and Community Welfare Services Employees (State) Award?
(2) Did funding for the consultant's report on the implementation and costing of Social and Community Welfare Services Employees (State) Award, prepared by Nicholas Clark, come out of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program budget?
(3) If not, where did funding come from?
(4) Was the Report on the Social and Community Welfare Services Employees (State) Award prepared by the Employers' Federation, paid for out of Supported Accommodation Assistance Program budget?
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(5) If not, where did funding come from?
333 RAYMOND TERRACE POLICE PATROL
___Mr Martin to ask the Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
___
(1) Was there a shortage of police in the Raymond Terrace Police Patrol on Monday 16 March 1992?
(2) Were Lemon Tree Passage and Karuah without police coverage on 16 March 1992?
(3) Did he recently remove police from Raymond Terrace?
(4) What are the police numbers at Raymond Terrace now?
(5) Did it recently take police 75 minutes to respond to an urgent call from a Kim Martin who resides close to Raymond Terrace Police Station?
(7) Will he create a 24-hour station at Raymond Terrace?
334 NEWCASTLE BUS CONCESSIONS
___Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Transport
___
In the event of privatisation of Newcastle bus routes___
(1) Will the present holders of War Service passes such as pensioners, TPI and disability veterans, have the same bus concessions they presently enjoy?
(2) If not, to what extent will the Government honour war veterans concession entitlements through subsidy or other means?
(3) Will the Government make it a condition of tender for routes by private companies that concession fares be offered to veterans, pensioners, children and disadvantaged persons?
(4) If so, what guidelines will be set?
335 NEWCASTLE BUS MEETING
___Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Transport
___
Page 233
(1) Did nine senior State Transit Authority managers travel from Sydney to Newcastle on Monday 9 March, for a meeting or meetings with Newcastle Buses employees?
(2) What are the names and titles of the people who travelled to Newcastle?
(3) Which people addressed the meeting(s)?
(4) What was the purpose of the journey for the people who did not address the meeting(s)?
(5) What was the cost of the party travelling to Newcastle?
(6) Was the cost debited to Newcastle Buses?
(7) If not, who paid the cost?
336 HEALTH AREAS FUNDING
___Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Health Services Management
___
(1) What were the funding increments, both to base budget level of recurrent funding and service enhancements (in dollar terms and in real terms) in the Health Areas and Regions in the financial year 1991/92?
(2) What will the increments be in 1992/93?
337 CARDIFF AMBULANCE STATION
___Mr Mills to ask the Minister for Health Services Management
___
(1) Will he implement the findings of the recently released staffing review of the Hunter Ambulance Service to increase manning at Cardiff Ambulance Station from 7 to 10?
(3) If not, what arrangements will be made for single officer night operations of the general ambulance at Cardiff to provide safety back-up in the event of:
(a) Patients requiring monitoring during transport?
(b) Patients needing drugs administered?
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338 NEWCASTLE DISASTER RELIEF
___Mr Price to ask the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Ethnic Affairs
___
Given the delays in resolving disaster relief compensation for certain local government sporting facilities damaged in the December 1989 earthquake in the Hunter Region___
(1) What is the position of specific funding for the making safe of the No. 1 sportsground grandstand to enable Sheffield Shield and International Cricket to resume as it was before December 1989?
(2) What is the position of the funding of all outstanding claims put forward on behalf of the region by the Newcastle City Council?
339 WOLLONGONG AIR-CONDITIONED TRAINS
___Mr Rumble to ask the Minister for Transport
___
What are the details of the times of single-deck non-air-conditioned trains running between Wollongong and Central and vice versa on a weekly basis?
340 SOUTH COAST RAIL COMMUTERS SURVEY
___Mr Rumble to ask the Minister for Transport
___
(1) Has any survey been conducted by State Rail with commuters on the South Coast line in respect of the running times of timetable No. 13?
(2) If so, what are the findings?
(3) If no survey has been carried out, will you authorise one?
341 LATE PORT KEMBLA TRAIN
___Mr Rumble to ask the Minister for Transport
___
(1) In respect of the 7.43 a.m. Port Kembla to Sydney train on 10 March 1992, how long was this train kept waiting at Sutherland?
(3) As this same train arrived in Sydney 5 minutes ahead of schedule, will State Rail review timetable No. 13 of 12 January 1992?
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342 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REGIONAL OFFICES
___Mr Rumble to ask the Minister for Health Services Management representing the Minister for Health and Community Services
___
(1) Is it planned to reduce the regional offices of the Department of Health in New South Wales from six to three?
(2) If so, how will this affect the Illawarra and South Coast regions.
343 RESPONSE TO REPRESENTATION
___Mr Rumble to ask the Minister for Health Services Management
___
When will he respond to my representations, on behalf of Mrs K. Gibson, concerning treatment she received at Shellharbour Hospital, which were referred for his attention by the Minister for Health and Community Services, reference 91/08332?
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Authorised by the Parliament of New South Wales