Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Survey Act 1907

Overview

The Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Survey Act 1907 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address the need for a feasible railway route connecting Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to Port Augusta in South Australia. The overarching objective of the Act is to facilitate the development of a reliable and efficient transport link between these two locations, thereby enhancing connectivity and economic integration across the regions. This legislative initiative underscores the importance of strategic infrastructure projects in promoting national cohesion and economic prosperity. The Act mandates that the survey for the railway route can only proceed with the formal consent of the South Australian Parliament, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are engaged in the process. The financial burden of the survey is to be borne by the Commonwealth, with the appropriation of up to Twenty thousand pounds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover the anticipated costs.

Scope and Application

The Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Survey Act 1907 applies to the Minister authorised under the Act, who is responsible for arranging the survey of a railway route between Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and Port Augusta in South Australia. The Act permits the Minister to undertake this survey subject to receiving formal consent from the South Australian Parliament. The financial scope of the Act is limited, with the total cost of the survey not to exceed Twenty thousand pounds, which will be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act is geographically limited to the states of Western Australia and South Australia, focusing on the specified route connecting Kalgoorlie and Port Augusta. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the Act, and it does not extend its application beyond the prescribed survey activities unless modified by subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Survey Act 1907 (sections 1-3) authorises the survey of a railway route connecting Kalgoorlie in Western Australia with Port Augusta in South Australia, subject to the formal consent of the South Australian Parliament (section 2). The Act also appropriates funds for the survey, stipulating that the cost shall not exceed Twenty thousand pounds and that these funds shall be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (section 3). The short title of this Act is the Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Survey Act 1907 (section 1). The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, it requires the Minister to obtain formal consent from the South Australian Parliament before initiating the survey of the railway route (section 2). This requirement ensures that all relevant parties are in agreement and that the survey process can proceed smoothly. Secondly, the Act mandates that the cost of the survey must not exceed Twenty thousand pounds (section 3). This financial constraint is aimed at ensuring that the project is conducted within the approved budget. In terms of penalties and consequences for breach, the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance with its provisions. However, any breaches of the Act's financial constraints, such as exceeding the authorised cost of Twenty thousand pounds, could potentially lead to financial repercussions or accountability measures, although these are not explicitly stated within the Act itself. The Act focuses primarily on the authorisation of the survey and the appropriation of funds, rather than detailing punitive measures for non-compliance.