Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers has welcomed the release of its Road Freight Options assessment paper, prepared by Osman Solutions, as the company moves towards mobilising the timber industry on Kangaroo Island. Source: Timberbiz
KIPT worked with the Kangaroo Island Council to develop a set of criteria against which to assess possible freight routes to transport its timber products from the plantations to the proposed deep-water wharf facility at Smith Bay.
The overriding priority in the agreed criteria was safety for property owners, truck drivers and other road users.
Other criteria included impact on neighbours (including livestock movement), other road users and native flora and fauna; road conditions; and operational efficiency.
Six routes were initially considered and assessed against the criteria.
A more detailed assessment was then completed on the three most probable routes to identify the optimal haulage route, based on the agreed criteria.
KIPT’s preferred route uses existing good-quality roads. Some upgrading work will be required. However, the company considers that the selected route minimises this requirement.
“It is no coincidence that our final preferred route is also the safest and has the least impact on neighbouring properties, the nvironment and other road users. These were our main priorities,” KPT’s Director of Community Engagement Shauna Black said.
The company has consulted with the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) at Adelaide University, and intends to work with CASR to develop appropriate safety signage and systems.
An initial meeting with members of the Kangaroo Island Road Safety Committee in July 2017 explained the process behind the route assessment and this dialogue will continue.
The company is working with the council on a Memorandum of Understanding regarding funding mechanisms for road upgrades and maintenance.
The council is considering the report, undertaking additional work, independent of KIPT, and is expected to confirm its preference for a core haulage route before the end of the year.
