Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1962 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Questions [11 SEPTEMBER] Questions 327 TUESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER, 1962 PETRIE RAILWAY SERVICE Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister Murrumba) took the chair at 11 a.m. for Transport- "In view of the statement by him that QUESTIONS cancelled suburban rail services would be DISMISSAL OF FoRESTRY EMPLOYEES, restored if hardship to a group of people GYMPIE DISTRICT were proved, and in view of the fact that I have been petitioned by eighty-one Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ residents of Zillmere and other areas ser­ Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister viced by the Petrie line, will he re-consider for Agriculture and Forestry- his decision and restore the 2.55 p.m. "(1) Is it true that twenty-one men were train from Central Station, because the discharged by the Forestry Department in removal of this particular service has meant the Mary Valley on Friday, August 31, that school children have been forced to 1962, a further six were put off at Widgee remain at railway stations for an hour in and a further six at Toolara?" some cases and it has caused a great deal "(2) Is it also true that twelve of the of inconvenience to shoppers and shift first twenty-one are to be re-engaged workers?" almost immediately and, if so, why was the Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer) original decision reversed so quickly?" replied- "(3) Does he not think that with the present high percentage rate of unemploy­ "This matter has already been raised ment and the Government's plan to restore with me by the Honourable Members for confidence in the private sector of the Aspley, Wavell, Nundah and Nudgee, and community any large-scale discharge of whilst I have some knowledge of incon­ personnel is only aggravating the employ­ venience caused to a number of school ment situation?" children from Virginia, unfortunately the business offering is not sufficient to warrant "(4) Will he give the House any indica­ the expense of providing an extra service." tion as to when it is anticipated that the Forestry gangs in the Gympie district will be brought back to full strength?" LEVEL CROSSING BooM GATES AT ALBERT Hon. 0. 0. MADSEN (Warwick) replied- STREET, WoOLLOONGABBA "(1 to 4) As part of the Govern­ Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ ment's effort to relieve seasonal unemploy­ Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister ment in the early part of this year, for Transport- additional funds were made available to "Has his attention been drawn to the the Department of Forestry which was recent collision between a train and a truck thus able to increase its wages staffing at the level crossing in Albert Street, from 1,718 in January to a peak of 2,196 Woolloongabba, on August 27, 1962, and, in May-a nett increase of 478 men. Of if so, will he make arrangements to have these, over 50 were engaged in the Gympie the booms operating at all periods during Forestry District which includes the Mary which trains are using this section of the Valley. It was intended to continue these line as, otherwise, a motorist could be extra men in employment until the end of lulled into a sense of false security?" June only, but, in an endeavour to avoid the necessity for large-scale dismissal the Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer) large work force was carried forward into replied- the new financial year in the hope that "The booms at Albert Street, Woolloon­ many of the extra men would gradually be gabba, are manually operated and when absorbed into other avenues of employ­ the signalman is off duty they are left in ment. However, the level of funds the raised position. 'Stop' signs with cats' available forced a reduction of staff at the eyes are provided about 10 feet from the end of August. The Government is anxious track on each side of the lines. However, to maintain employment at as high a level following the recent unfortunate occur­ as possible, and a reconsideration of the rence the matter of some additional position allowed the withdrawal of notice protection at this crossing is being in a number of cases. The extra employ­ investigated." ment provided early in 1962 was additional to the Department's normal staffing, and the number employed presently is far in FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY OVER TOOWOOMBA excess of that level. However, as forestry RANGE work provides a very satisfactory ratio of employment to funds expended, the Gov­ Mr. ANDERSON (Toowoomba East) asked ernment, in its constant review of the the Minister for Development, Mines, Main unemployment question, is endeavouring Roads and Electricity- to retain employment to the fullest extent "(1) Has the survey in connection with on Forestry works within the limits of the four-lane highway over the range lead­ finance available." ing to Toowoomba been completed?" 328 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions "(2) Will it follow the route of the Regulations now promulgated will provide existing highway from Essex Evans to an effective answer to this type of problem. Toowoomba or will it be re-located? If For the information of the Honourable so, where will the route be?" Member, I am advised that a detention "(3) Will the work be commenced in order was served on the owner of the craft this financial year?" 'Herr Horn' on Saturday last, this being the first order under the amended Boat and Hon. E. EVANS (Mirani) replied­ Punt Regulations. The notice drew the attention of the owner to the fact that the "( I) No." vessel was considered unseaworthy for the "(2) These questions cannot be answered waters in which it was to be used." until the survey is completed and results analysed." SMALL-BOAT HARBOUR, TOWNSVILLE "(3) Yes." Mr. DAVIES (Maryborough), for Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North), asked the VOYAGES IN UNSEAWORTHY CRAFT Treasurer and Minister for Housing- Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) asked the "Has any further progress been made Premier- with reference to the provision of a small­ "( I) Has his attention been drawn to an boat harbour for Townsville?" article and photograph in 'The Courier­ Mail' of Thursday, September 6, reporting Hon. T. A. HILEY (Chatsworth) that a man named Horn is about to embark replied- on a Pacific cruise in a ramshackle, home­ "The proposal has reached a stage of made, galvanised iron contraption?" acceptance, and commencement merely "(2) Is he aware that a man named awaits the outcome of negotiations with Arthur Wilson left Cairns in July last the Townsville City Council concerning in a raft built of oil drums in a similar building of a rock wall and the widening irresponsible escapade, but later aban­ of Palmer Street with the dredged spoil." doned the queer craft along the coast?" "(3) In view of the fact that large sums LEVEL CROSSING BooM GATES AT of public money are spent and valuable BOUNDARY ROAD, COOPER'S PLAINS lives are endangered and sometimes lost while later searching for these people, Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) asked when they are reported lost or overdue at the Minister for Transport- some point, will he have the matter fully "Has any progress been made in negotia­ investigated with the view to establishing tions between himself, the Minister for (a) the bona fides of the people con­ Main Roads and the New South Wales cerned, (b) whether these 'voyages' are Railway Department for the replacing of actuated by a cheap desire for publicity wooden gates with boom gates at the and (c) that they lodge a substantial bond Kyogle railway crossing in Boundary against the cost of any search and damages Road, Cooper's Plains to eliminate the for loss of life in such search?" present traffic hazard which has been the scene of numerous accidents recently?" Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough) replied- Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer) "(1 and 2) Yes." replied- "(3) As a precaution against unsea­ " At the present time information is worthy craft proceeding on voyages for being awaited from New South Wales which they are not adequately equipped, Railways before further consideration can suitable Regulations were promulgated be given to the matter." under the Queensland Marine Act on Thursday, September 6, 1962. The whole COMALCO AGREEMENT, WEIPA thought behind this action was that without seeking to impose any total Governmental Mr. ARMSTRONG (Mulgrave) asked the control on all such movements, which Minister for Development, Mines, Main would be most undesirable, there is some­ Roads and Electricity- times that odd occasion where the State "(1) Has Comalco, the company which should have power to intervene both to has the bauxite lease at Weipa, carried protect citizens from what looks to be out all terms of the agreement itemised sheer folly and to avoid the resultant in the franchise, particularly with regard burden on the State and its citizens of to money expended annually?" hazardous search parties and high costs. The case which brought this forcibly under "(2) What is the total expenditure the Government's notice was the Carpenter Comalco has been committed to in the expedition out of Cooktown, in which agreement?" instance my colleague the Treasurer "(3) What is the total amount of the thought it proper to intervene and found expenditure by Comalco since the granting there was no legal power to do so. The of the franchise?" Questions [11 SEPTEMBER] Questions 329 Hon. E. EVANS (Mirani) replied- "(3) Is there any likelihood of the "(1) Yes. The Company has more than Mackay Electorate being included in any carried out all the terms of the Agreement, allocation of Housing Commission funds and particularly with regard to moneys during the coming year and, if not, why expended annually." not?" "(2) Total moneys to be expended by Hon.