Published Wednesday, 01 October, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Safety claims deliberately distort the truth: Pitt
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt has rejected absolutely claims by Member for Moggill Bruce Flegg that the government had ignored a safety report about Moggill Road.
“Dr Flegg’s allegations are without foundation and are a deliberate distortion of the truth,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Main Roads report that Dr Flegg refers to is neither hidden nor secret.
“In fact, both Main Roads officers and myself have referred to the Moggill Road road safety report numerous times in correspondence to Dr Flegg and in public statements.
“Furthermore, Dr Flegg could have had the full report without having to lodge a Freedom of Information application – all he had to do was ask.”
Mr Pitt said the report was prepared by Main Roads in 2007 as part of its regular five-yearly road safety reviews.
“This report did not recommend a reduction in the speed limit, as Dr Flegg claims,” he said.
“Rather, it recommended that a review of the 70km/h speed limit along Moggill Road through Bellbowrie be done.
“This speed limit review was conducted between November 2007 and January 2008, and the review found that the speed limit was appropriate.
“However, since the tragic accident that occurred on 22 August, I asked Main Roads to once again look into the speed limit along this section of road to determine whether the limit is still appropriate. This review is still under way.”
Mr Pitt said police had advised Main Roads that speed had not been a factor in the fatal accident.
“I can assure Dr Flegg that I have the deepest sympathy for the family of the young girl who died in the accident, and I will take every step to ensure our roads are as safe as possible,” he said.
“But no one benefits when proper representation is replaced by political grandstanding.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
“Dr Flegg’s allegations are without foundation and are a deliberate distortion of the truth,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Main Roads report that Dr Flegg refers to is neither hidden nor secret.
“In fact, both Main Roads officers and myself have referred to the Moggill Road road safety report numerous times in correspondence to Dr Flegg and in public statements.
“Furthermore, Dr Flegg could have had the full report without having to lodge a Freedom of Information application – all he had to do was ask.”
Mr Pitt said the report was prepared by Main Roads in 2007 as part of its regular five-yearly road safety reviews.
“This report did not recommend a reduction in the speed limit, as Dr Flegg claims,” he said.
“Rather, it recommended that a review of the 70km/h speed limit along Moggill Road through Bellbowrie be done.
“This speed limit review was conducted between November 2007 and January 2008, and the review found that the speed limit was appropriate.
“However, since the tragic accident that occurred on 22 August, I asked Main Roads to once again look into the speed limit along this section of road to determine whether the limit is still appropriate. This review is still under way.”
Mr Pitt said police had advised Main Roads that speed had not been a factor in the fatal accident.
“I can assure Dr Flegg that I have the deepest sympathy for the family of the young girl who died in the accident, and I will take every step to ensure our roads are as safe as possible,” he said.
“But no one benefits when proper representation is replaced by political grandstanding.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819