The Shire of Northam council has voted in favour of staff’s recommendation to reconsider their stance on trucks using Spencers Brook Road to transport granite from the quarry to the metropolitan area.
Council has previously denied the landowners application to transport freight carrying rocks along the road but instead proposed transporting it through their property.
According to the applicant it will cost $2,000,000 to construct the private road onto York-Northam Road.
Following the decision by council the applicant lodged an application for review with the State Administrative Tribunal.
Council voted nine votes to one in favour of reconsidering the decision made in June.
Councillor Julie Williams moved an alternative motion to maintain council’s previous decision.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Michael Ryan.
Cr Williams said the main problem with the proposal is the state of Spencers Brook Road.
“Nothing has changed since June,” she said.
“It is still the same road.
“We can’t stop the trucks that are already there but we can stop there being more.
“The intersection of Great Eastern Highway and Spencers Brook Road is an issue and the Trimmer Road intersection won’t get any better.”
Main Roads have previously said that the intersections comply with their standards.
Cr Ryan said he did not believe council should be swayed to change their stance.
“The current decision should stand,” he said.
“The community doesn’t want to quarry.”
Councilor Tinetti, who also spoke in favour of Cr Williams motion said the intersection of Great Eastern Highway and Spencers Brook Road is a disaster waiting to happen.
“I can’t believe Main Roads approved it.”
Councillor Steven Pollard spoke against the motion saying the reality is that Spencers Brook Road is already an approved RAV route.
“I appreciate the safety concerns nut Main Roads has said it is suitable,” he said.
Councillor Menschelyi echoed his sentiments.
“I can’t agree to support the motion,” he said.
“I understand that safety is an issue but signage can be used.”
Councillors Della and Little also spoke against Cr Williams motion.
The alternate motion was lost four votes to six.
Cr Pollard moved staff’s original motion whereby the the transport route will be along Spencers Brook Road and onto Great Eastern Highway.
The motion was passed six votes to four.
The applicant will be restricted to 10 truck movements out of the quarry and 10 truck movements into the quarry each day.
Trucks will not be permitted to use the road during school bus hours and will be required to drive at a reduced speed limit of 80km/h on Spencers Brook Road, 60 km/h through the Spencers Brook townsite and a maximum speed of 50 km/h near the intersection of Trimmer Road.
The quarry will be limited to operate between 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday with the project being part of rehabilitating the property.
The applicant is required to pay 55 cents per tonne of granite transported to go towards road maintenance, more than $42,000 to maintain the road condition and a $75,000 rehabilitation amount.
There will be a further direction hearing with the State Administrative Tribunal on Friday, November 2.
