In response to further questions of the Department of Transport & Main Roads (TMR), we have been provided with the following responses:

Review/report on Kin Kin Road

As you are aware, TMR is developing a report to document the various assessments and investigations that have been undertaken in TMR exercising its duty of care in managing the operations of Kin Kin Road. As part of this process, TMR has also engaged an independent expert to review TMR’s report, hence providing additional rigour to the investigations, assessments and management approach that have been undertaken. These matters are complex. The report and independent review are progressing and will be made available to the public in due course.

Use of quarry materials

As previously advised, TMR operates a Quarry Registration System (QRS) for suppliers of quarry materials for use on TMR projects. The objective of the QRS is to assure supply of consistent and uniform high-quality nominated products that comply with departmental Technical Specifications. The sourcing of construction materials is a commercial decision for construction contractors, and it is their responsibility to manage the process in line with relevant approvals and regulations. In accordance with the Queensland Procurement Policy, TMR’s procurement processes and activities must be able to demonstrate fairness and impartiality, ensuring no supplier is given an advantage or discriminated against. As such, TMR is unable to preclude specific quarry product suppliers whilst they maintain currency of registration.

However, as you are aware, TMR has implemented an additional supplementary condition regarding haul route management that was included in the Transport and Main Roads Specifications – Provision for Traffic (MRTS02) in late 2021. Under the additional supplementary condition, contractors are required to undertake a haul route assessment for the supply chain for major material movements to and from site (for TMR projects).

To further clarify this, I can advise that as outlined in MRTS02, a Supply Chain Haul Route Management Strategy is required on local roads or low volume roads where the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) is less than 10,000 and where an assessment identifies increased risk associated with infrastructure use.

Temporary load limit

As you are aware, the two temporary 10 tonne mass limits implemented on Kin Kin Road in February/March and May/June 2022 were applied under section 46 of the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (TIA) to preserve the road from further damage during times of heavy rainfall and flooding, and while TMR scheduled priority repairs once the weather improved, and the road had dried out enough to perform these repairs. The mass limits were short-term measures only and were lifted as soon as possible, when TMR determined that it was appropriate. The temporary mass limits were not put in place due to safety assessments or the existing condition of the road.

As previously advised, the decision to a lift temporary mass limit is a measured and balanced determination with considerations including:

  • current and predicted weather conditions
  • road and pavement conditions
  • scheduled repairs
  • impacts on businesses
  • the need for community services such as refuse collection to resume normal operations.

This is in line with TMR’s guidelines for reopening roads after emergency events such as flooding, as outlined under ‘Re-opening of a State-Controlled Road’ on page four of Information Sheet 4: Process for temporary restriction or closing and re-opening state-controlled roads during flooding, bushfires and other hazardous events (click here to download).

Please remember that if there is an urgent issue affecting traffic on a state road, please call 131940 to report, or should you wish to email any concerns to our local TMR office, you can do so via northcoast@tmr.qld.gov.au