Kalgoorlie-Boulder businesses fed up with constant dust nuisance as iron ore road trains roll in and out

A Kalgoorlie-Boulder mechanic has been left struggling to complete engine rebuilds, while neighbouring businesses are dealing with constant dust plumes as iron ore road trains track mud and dirt through the streets. The issues have surfaced less than two months after iron ore from Gold Valley’s Wiluna West project started being loaded on to trains at Aurizon’s West Kalgoorlie facility for the journey to the Port of Esperance. During heavy rainfall last week road trains leaving the facility tracked chunks of red mud along West Kalgoorlie Road, reaching Anzac Drive and Great Eastern Highway. Spurtys Mechanical director Paul Szolkowski, who works across the road from the Aurizon site, told the Kalgoorlie Miner mud turned to dust as it dried, blowing across local businesses each time a vehicle passed by. “Basically engine rebuilds are going to be hard for me to do now because I can’t do it in the dust, and being iron ore, it’s very abrasive,” Mr Szolkowski said. “In the long term if nothing gets done, basically, I probably have to find somewhere else to go.” Jayson Penn, who owns a transport company based in the area, said trucks left the Aurizon facility about 70 times a day, causing dust plumes with every movement. “It’s a disgrace for the town,” Mr Penn said. “Everybody’s been asleep at the wheel over this issue, and there’s been no regard for the welfare of businesses and the cleanliness of the town.” Mr Penn has called for measures to be put in place for the trucks to be cleaned before leaving the facility. “There’s been no thought and no consideration for the workshops getting filled with dust every day . . . it’s a disgrace,“ he said. “You’re trying to attract people to live in Kalgoorlie and this is going on, and it’s been allowed to happen . . . if you’re a visitor coming in, the first impression you’re getting is how dirty it is.” 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. “Gold Valley undertook additional sweeping of the roads and this has been supplemented in recent days by Kalgoorlie-Boulder council,” the spokesperson said. “Aurizon acknowledges the impact and inconvenience this has caused to local businesses and motorists.” The spokesperson said Gold Valley was sourcing “additional interim solutions” to remove dirt from the road while a permanent solution is found. 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.” The Main Roads spokesperson said West Kalgoorlie Road leading to the Aurizon terminal was under the care and control of the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder.