Dust complaints prompt City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to call for Gold Valley iron ore road trains to be cleaned

Kalgoorlie-Boulder authorities have asked for iron ore road trains causing a dust nuisance to be thoroughly cleaned before they travel on local roads. Locals working in the area around Aurizon’s West Kalgoorlie facility have raised concerns after road trains leaving the site tracked red mud onto surrounding streets during heavy rainfall last week. The mud encrusting West Kalgoorlie Road, reaching Anzac Drive and Great Eastern Highway, turned to dust as it dried, blowing across local businesses and coating passing vehicles. City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder chief executive Andrew Brien told the Kalgoorlie Miner road cleaning was being done to address the issue. “The city is liaising with Aurizon and has requested that vehicles be thoroughly cleaned before travelling on local roads,” he said. “Aurizon has also sought interim support from the city for road sweeping, which is being carried out . . . while Aurizon arranges for their own equipment.” The dust nuisance surfaced less than six weeks after iron ore from Gold Valley’s Wiluna West project started being loaded onto trains at the West Kalgoorlie facility for the journey to the Port of Esperance. A local transport operator — who did not want to be named — told the Kalgoorlie Miner the dust had left local trucks looking “absolutely putrid”. “Since these guys have come to town, they’ve just destroyed the road, and there’s just red iron ore everywhere,” he said. “I’m getting sick of this having to wash my truck every day because you’ve got to get the s... off your truck. “When iron ore gets into your paintwork and into your aluminium and your polish aluminium or even your chrome it rusts big time.” While the city is responsible for the maintaining road leading to the Aurizon terminal, Main Roads has responsibility for cleaning and maintenance of Anzac Drive and Great Eastern Highway. A spokesperson for Main Roads said it was aware of the increased dust in the area. “Main Roads is speaking with transport operators to discuss how vehicles can enter and leave the freight terminal without increasing the road-cleaning and maintenance task,” they said. “Routine maintenance on the road network is undertaken as required, as is road sweeping to remove mud.” A spokesperson for Aurizon acknowledged mud was being carried on truck tyres out of the facility and said the company had been discussing the issue with Gold Valley. “Aurizon acknowledges the impact and inconvenience this has caused to local businesses and motorists,” the spokesperson said. “Gold Valley is sourcing additional interim solutions to remove dirt from the road while we work on a permanent solution.”