Budget Estimates Committee A, Monday 5 June 2023

CHAIR - Minister, you've commissioned GHD to do an assessment into the feasibility of a second bridge over the Cam River. Can you provide a copy of the specific terms and scope of work to be undertaken by GHD?

Mr FERGUSON - I think we can. Didn't I provide that to the Legislative Council last week?

CHAIR - It hasn't been provided yet. I've been waiting for it, so I thought I'd try again here.

Mr FERGUSON - I believe I prepared and signed it. I'll just check this. Did you say terms of reference?

CHAIR - The specific terms and scope of the work to be undertaken by them.

Mr FERGUSON - GHD was awarded the contract to develop the second Cam River Bridge feasibility study. GHD was engaged with standard contract terms used by the department for its transport, planning and design work. The contract amount is $323 293, exclusive of GST, and the contract end date is 29 March 2024.

The terms and scope of the work is a lengthy document. In summary, the project scope includes baseline analysis and assessment; review all relevant previous studies and gain an understanding of the specific issues and opportunities for a second Cam River bridge; background information; explain the vulnerabilities of the existing Cam River Bridge to flood damage, and other incidents that could lead to closure of the Bass Highway at the bridge 

CHAIR - The existing bridge, or the new bridge?

Mr FERGUSON - The new bridge being built, surely.

CHAIR - You would hope so.

Mr FERGUSON - The need for a second Cam River bridge, using the baseline analysis and assessment combined with the feedback from stakeholder and community consultation; outline the case, positive or negative, for a second Cam River bridge; nature of a second Cam River bridge; establish the functional requirements of a second Cam River bridge, and note how these differ depending on whether the bridge is built adjacent to the new bridge under construction, upstream as a connection between local council roads, or as part of an alternative dual carriageway route for the Bass Highway - so, all options; examining all possible locations for a second Cam River bridge.

Option development should be informed by factors including the local street network, the topography, land ownership, stakeholder input and anticipated environmental and approval issues; advantages, benefits and opportunities (and disadvantages); high level costs and risks (should be described for each option); stakeholder and community consultation to obtain feedback on the developed options plan; undertake best practice stakeholder and community engagement in accordance with the State Roads Stakeholder and Community Engagement Framework; and finally, environmental and planning assessment - complete a desktop assessment to identify and address the potential environmental heritage and planning approval issues for all options. I do not know if you asked me this, but I will add it -

CHAIR - I will ask another question: has the stakeholder and community engagement plan been developed by GHD and has the Department of State Growth provided details of a copy of this plan if it's available?

Mr FERGUSON - It is not available. A stakeholder and community engagement plan is currently being developed by GHD in consultation with the department so the plan has not been finalised but is expected to be by mid-June - obviously very soon - and I am sure we will be able to provide that when it is available.

CHAIR - Mid-June is before the end of budget Estimates, before the end of the budget wrap-up - is that what we are saying?

Mr FERGUSON - Well, my advice is mid-June. Do you have anything to add to that?

Mr SWAIN - That is my understanding, that we are working with GHD and that the estimate is to have it done by mid-June.

CHAIR - Is it possible to provide it to this committee before we do the budget wrap-up?

Mr FERGUSON - I will give you a commitment that if it is available to me by then, I will provide it to your committee.