To the Broome Shire
Good morning
You stated in your email that
" I am informed the job was done quickly with a front end loader and vehicles with flashing lights were stationed at either end of the work zone to manage traffic".
This is a total lie and no vehicles with flashing lights were present, as the video clearly shows.
You went on to state In your email you have advised there were no signs erected and that Woodside did this to "create a deep dangerous sandy pit, forcing people to slow down or spin out." An inspection of the site did not indicate any signs of such a sandy pit.
Once, handsoffcountry blogged the video evidence on the 19th, Dec 2012 this sand pit and the road had been again altered.
When and who from the Shire inspected this sight?
The only way that my email can be taken seriously is if Woodside are held accountable for this illegal action by the Law. If a private person was to undertake such works i am sure the Shire's approach would be considerable more than a letter of warning.
I would also like to remind you that these roads works took place the day following the Shire Council's Dec Meeting, where numerous complaints and irregularities by Woodside were raised. How long will the Shire continue to turn a blind eye to Woodside and their actions without real consequence ever been enforced?
Your correspondence went on to say that "It is considered, as this was the first such incident, that a warning such as that given, is appropriate."
If someone had had an accident during Woodside's roadwork, would the fact that it was the first time hold any relevance?
If public safety on Shire Roads is a high priority for the Shire of Broome, as you have stated, then I request that the Shire immediately take legal action, with the full extent of the law, and follow through with this claim priority.
Yours faithfully
RE: I120110-65845 - Woodside illegy road works on Manari Road Dec 2011Thursday, 19 January, 2012 12:41 PM
From: "Shire"
Thank you for the below email concerning actions by Woodside's contractors on Manari Road in Dec 2011.
Apparently, some of the heavy vehicles demobilising from a works program on Woodside's Site caused some damage to Manari Road near the entrance to the laydown area when turning left out of the laydown area and heading towards Broome. A decision was taken by Woodside staff to repair the road to make it safe. I am informed the job was done quickly with a front end loader and vehicles with flashing lights were stationed at either end of the work zone to manage traffic.
In your email you have advised there were no signs erected and that Woodside did this to "create a deep dangerous sandy pit, forcing people to slow down or spin out." An inspection of the site did not indicate any signs of such a sandy pit.
Your email has however, been taken seriously and action has been taken with a warning given to Woodside representatives of their obligations in relation to obtaining approval for work on Shire roads, having an approved Traffic Management Plan and accredited staff on site for all Works on Roads. It has been made very clear that they cannot carry out any works on Shire Roads without prior approval.
It is considered, as this was the first such incident, that a warning such as that given, is appropriate.
Should further instances occur then of course stronger measures would progressively be taken.
Please be assured that public safety on Shire Roads is a high priority for the Shire of Broome.
Yours faithfully
KR Donohoe
CEO
1/10/2012
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 2:08 PM
To: Shire
Subject: I120110-65845 - Woodside illegy road works on Manari Road Dec 2011
Attention:
Broome Shire CEO
Dear Ken
Woodside had made arrangements with the Broome Shire for the Shire to carry out road maintenance works on Manari Road (a Shire Road) whenever trafficability or road safety risk reaches an unacceptable level. Woodside had recognised that increased traffic from their operations would result in the need for increased maintenance.
Therefore, why did Woodside carried out their own road maintenance work on this public road without appropriate authority from the Broome Shire Council and without any of the basic public safety procedures in place?
Please refer to http://youtu.be/iIjJvFbhBb0 for video evidence taken on the 15th of Dec 2011 at approximately 11am, on Manari Road.
The Broome Shire grader had just completed grading the road. What you are witnessing in this video is Woodside using their equipment and undertaking their own road works which is highly illegal, hazardous and wantons prosecution by the Broome Shire Council. This work was done in order to create a deep dangerous sandy pit, forcing people to slow down or spin out. This allows time for hostiles (Lockforce) Woodside corporate security enough time to record number plates and photograph people who in traveling in Country. Something they have been subjecting locals and visitors alike for well over a year.
Woodside are not in procession of a duly signed and sealed Instrument of Authorisation by the Commissioner of Main Roads to undertake roadwork's, on public roads in Western Australia. Therefore, what are the penalties these types of dangerous unauthorised illegal actions and how does the Broome Shire intend to legally respond to Woodside?
Any person or party intending to undertake an event or conduct works that may impact on traffic (including pedestrian traffic) within any part of the road reserve shall, as a condition of approval by Main Roads WA, Local Government or any other authority responsible for the road, ensure that the person performing the tasks contained in Table 4 - Main Roads' Traffic Management of Works on Roads Code of Practice hold the relevant and current traffic management certificate of accreditation.
Given the seriousness of this action on public safety when is the Broome Shire going to report the driver of the bulldozer to the police because he did not hold the necessary accreditation to carry out this work.
Main Roads WA certificate and proof of certification is provided in the form of a 'Photo ID' card is issued for each category of accreditation to individuals who successfully meet the pre-requisites applicable for each level of accreditation. This proof was not provided when requested.
Woodside did not have the necessary approvals to undertake these road works.This roadwork was not approved by an Authorised Body nor was a MRWA approval obtained.
· Woodside does not have a Traffic Management Plan for these road works.
· This particular section on Manari Road is not located safely with respect to horzontal and vertical alignment. There was no signing and delineation erected to cater for this?
· The transitions from the existing road to the roadworks were not safe or clearly laid out.
· No speed limits were established on-site consistent with the modified road environment.
· The worksite was not clearly defined or appropriately separate from passing traffic.
· The travel paths for both directions of traffic were not clearly defined.
· No "Reduce Speed" signs located in accordance with the TMR Code of Practice.
· No "repeater" speed limit signs that should be erected in accordance with AS 1742.3.
· No signs or devices were placed in such that they are clearly visible to approaching drivers and other.
· No sign of temporary hazard markers (T5-4 and T5-5) aligned and spaced to comply with the requirements of AS 1742.3
· No variable message signs (VMS) used compliant with the requirements of AS 1742.3
· The clearances from the worksite were not consistent with the requirements of AS 1742.3
· No Traffic Controllers on the worksite so no accredited, suitably attired and correctly positioned relative to sight distance and the "Prepare to Stop" signs.
How does the Shire intend to deal with this matter? .Under what legislation are serious matters of this nature dealt with and will there be a full investigation undertaken by the Shire? Given the facts that the Broome Shire has witnessed and forced to investigate numerous planning and development misdemeanors by Woodside over the last 12 months when will the Shire use the fully force of the law to ensure the Woodside does not continue to flaunt the law and so readily dismiss local governess.
Regards
Photo Damian Kelly
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