XN000022-1981-05-27 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1981

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BILL ON OPERATION OF ROPEWAY INTRODUCED

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THE PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF AN AERIAL ROPEWAY WOULD BE PLACED ON ITS OWNER UNDER THE AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JONES SAID THE DEFINITION OF OWNER WOULD BE MADE CLEAR TO INCLUDE THE LESSEE, HIRER OR MANAGER OF A ROPEWAY.

UNDER THE AMENDMENTS, CRIMINAL LIABILITY WOULD BE IMPOSED ON AN OWNER WHO OPERATED A ROPEWAY IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION OR IN A DANGEROUS MANNER, AN OWNER WOULD ALSO BE LIABLE FOR BREACHES OF REGULATIONS BY PERSONS EMPLOYED BY HIM TO CONTROL, OPERATE, OR MAINTAIN THE ROPEWAY.

A NEW CLAUSE WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD SHIFT THE ONUS OF PROOF ONTO DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS OF COMPANIES TO REQUIRING THEM TO PROVE THAT AN OFFENCE WAS COMMITTED WITHOUT THE IR CONSENT OR CONNIVANCE.

THE BILL EXPANDS EXISTING PROVISION WITH REGARD TO SAFETY THAT REQUIREMENTS MAY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PERSONS WHO ARE IN THE VICINITY OF A ROPEWAY, AS WELL AS PERSONS USING OR OPERATING IT.

SO

IT ALSO SEEKS TO INCREASE PENALTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND ANY REGULATIONS TO A LEVEL WHICH WILL BE A PROPER DETERRENT. THE PRINCIPAL CHANGE IS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES BY AN OWNER WHICH DIRECTLY ENDANGER SAFETY TO A FINE OF $50 000, IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS, AND A DAILY PENALTY OF $1 000.

THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES WHICH MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY REGULATIONS WOULD BE INCREASED TO THE SAME LEVEL FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF A TINE OF $2 000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

ROAD MAINTENANCE IS ADEQUATE

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THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON JACK STEAN, SAID TODAY HE BELIEVED THE HIGHWAYS SYSTÈM THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WAS ON THE WHOLE MAINTAINED IN AN ADEQUATE STATE OF REPAIR THOUGH THERE WAS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN IN THE LEGILATIVE COUNCIL.

MR STEAN SAID, THE TASK OF MAINTAINING THE HIGHWAYS SYSTEM, WHICH FALLS ON THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, IS ONE OF INCREASING DIFFICULTY.+

/+IN THE.