Questions to State Government

Over to you QUESTIONS TO THE WA STATE GOVERNMENT

Thank you to our WA State Government for answering WA Transport Magazine reader’s questions. If you have a question that is related to the transport industry please email it to the publisher at: karen@angrychicken.com.au

Response from Main Road’s Spokesperson in answer to reader’s questions about livestock on roads

The issue of livestock wandering onto roads has been ongoing for many years in pastoral areas. Between 2014 and 2018 there were 212 crashes involving cattle.

The state government has allocated $12m of funding to assist pastoral stations with fencing and other mitigation actions at known hotspots. This ongoing mitigation action includes new fencing, relocation of water points, spur gates and advertising/ awareness. These efforts have resulted in a 23% reduction in the number of reported crashes involving livestock on state highways in pastoral areas, when comparing the past 5 years (2014 – 2018) with the pre-funding period (2006 – 2010). This funding is ongoing and new fencing agreements recently signed will see more fencing installed during 2020.

The number of deceased cattle identified on our regional roads demonstrates that cattle strikes continue to occur on sections of road that have been fenced, in turn, raising questions regarding the integrity and maintenance levels of some sections of pastoral fencing and their effectiveness in reducing the risk.

A perceived increase in cattle strikes in 2018 led to increased media attention that year and Main Roads convened the Pastoral Animal Hazard Advisory Group (PAHAG) to engage key stakeholders able to influence improved outcomes in this area. Membership includes representatives from the DPIRD; DBCA; RAC; Road Safety Commission; PLB; PGA; WALGA and WAPOL. Key areas agreed for investigation by the group include reflective ear tag options and research; a review of fencing agreements; and communication and educations plans.

The PAHAG considers raising road user awareness of the risks of animals on the road network as critical in reducing the rate of animal-related crashes. A targeted advertising campaign has been developed, and is directed towards informing road users (including local residents, visitors, tourists and mine site workers) of the associated risks of animal crashes so as to change their perception and, ultimately, their behaviour.

Road users also have a duty of care to be aware of the conditions in which they drive. For example, in one section of road approximately 85% of hit cattle crashes in pastoral areas occurred at, or after dusk. Locals and transport operators are or should be aware of this risk and adjust their travel accordingly.

This message has been included in previous awareness campaigns and is a strong focus of the upcoming advertising campaign.

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