CONGRESS BULLETIN Local Infrastructure Driving Productivity

‘Local governments across the country are responsible for more than 657,000 kilometres, which is 80% of the nation’s roads’

This Bulletin has been compiled by produce Regional Transport Plans. the Australian Local Government These case studies show that many Association (ALGA) during the councils are actively engaged in Infrastructure 2016 National Local Roads and regional transport planning, and that Transport Congress. The key these processes could be replicated Australia’s advice theme of the Congress was Local across Australia, with appropriate Australia’s key freight routes Infrastructure – Developing Regions. support. Snap-shots of these case need attention. First and last The 17th National Congress studies are included in this Bulletin. mile issues, bottlenecks and provided an opportunity for ALGA, The Bulletin also includes details of pinch points, increase the time representatives of state and territory the ALGA Local Government Higher it takes for freight to travel from local government associations Productivity Investment Plan to sender to receiver. These issues and councils from across Australia assist councils to play their role will be further exacerbated by to hear from the nation’s leading in planning for, and facilitating, population growth. transport policy experts, and to increased freight productivity. A National Freight and provide input into policy on national Supply Chain Strategy, which transport issues. takes an ‘end to end’ supply This year’s Congress focused on Preparing for chain approach, is needed to the challenges and opportunities freight to double define nationally significant of local infrastructure, in particular freight corridors and precincts, local roads, and the need for road According to the National Transport Commission (NTC), road freight grew identify the gaps, and outline a reform to drive productivity at a reform and investment pipeline local, regional and national level. six-fold over the period 1971 to 2007. By 2030, the freight task is projected to address these challenges. The Congress theme and this Targeted programs of Congress Bulletin are inspired by to treble by 2050. This growth is an investment will also be the clear advice from Infrastructure indicator of the economic activity required to remove the network Australia, that ‘… Australia’s key that will ultimately underpin every constraints and gaps identified freight routes need attention’. All Australian’s standard of living. levels of government are working While some freight should utilise by the Strategy. on road reforms to increase the rail, much of it will depend upon our Infrastructure Australia Plan Report – productive capacity of Australia’s national road network. However, the Priorities and Reforms for our nation’s transport infrastructure and deliver NTC observes that this productivity future, February 2016. economic and social benefits for all growth will slow significantly Australians. ALGA, state and territory without reform. The Australian road network local government associations and Many local roads and key assets, councils across the country are covers more than 817,000 kilometres. While many major roads such as bridges and culverts, were committed to playing their role in designed and constructed decades driving productivity and appropriate are provided by state and territory ago for the standards of the day road reform, where resources permit. governments, local governments and community needs at the time. Delegates at the Congress across the country are responsible In many instances they are no recognised that councils across for more than 657,000 kilometres, Australia have much to contribute which is 80% of the nation’s longer fit for purpose. As such, the to the national productivity roads. These roads are primarily capacity of these roads to meet agenda and sought to work in funded through council rates and the current and forecast additional partnership with each other, are vital local community assets transport demand, in particular states, the Commonwealth that provide citizens with access freight transport demand, is severely Government and industry to to premises, jobs, schools, health limited. This is sometimes referred identify priorities, projects and care, businesses and commercial to as the ‘first and last mile’ issue. investment opportunities that will opportunities. However, many if Under the Heavy Vehicle National deliver economic benefits to the not all of these roads, also provide Law (HVNL), local government, local, regional and the Australian broader economic services to heavy as a road manager, is responsible community. The Congress vehicle operators and transport for allowing access for restricted highlighted several case studies operators and provide critical access vehicles on their roads, and of regional collaboration between linkages to freight routes, facilitating the conditions under which they councils and key stakeholders to efficient industry supply chains. will operate.

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 1 2/11/2016 2:47 pm ALGA strongly supports The ALGA acknowledges the Our solution Infrastructure Australia’s advice that Commonwealth’s support to local The NHVR and ALGA are currently Australia’s key freight routes need government and the partnership that working with councils to develop a attention. exists to provide local services and better understanding of transport Local government also supports infrastructure to every community demand across all jurisdictions and the need for road reform and funding throughout Australia. councils. arrangements that ensure that Action required road managers, in partnership with transport operators and other levels Addressing the Continue to support the NHVR on of government, provide road services first/last mile issue the development of tools to assist that are fit for purpose. A business- councils to understand state and as-usual approach will not address The first/last mile problem typically national freight routes and how they this issue and unfortunately, unless refers to a local road network which interface with council roads. sustained and strategic action is not of the same standard as the is taken, the situation is likely to major arterial network. Lower-quality Planning gaps get worse. roads are not built to carry high mass vehicles. As a result, vehicle The issue access to the road network may be Currently the system of planning, The funding issue more limited as road providers try to including freight route identification protect the road from damage. This that meets industry needs, is ad hoc. This Bulletin focuses on the key role requires high productivity vehicles to of local government in supporting Our solution ‘break down’ to smaller configurations appropriate heavy vehicle transport at the start, or end of the journey. Local government is committed reform to drive local, regional and “The first/last mile challenge to undertake regional transport national productivity. However, needs to be addressed to improve planning, including route it is recognised that the primary access to the road network for identification and prioritisation in responsibility of every council heavy vehicles. Road providers need consultation with jurisdictions and is to provide local services and to make targeted investments to industry to improve the alignment infrastructure to its local community. remove restrictions to access for of needs and priorities, subject to Local roads are provided by local high productivity vehicles at key resources. councils. Collectively, they are one of locations”, according to the National local government’s largest services Action required Transport Commission, Heavy Vehicle to communities across the country Incentivise councils to undertake Charging and Investment Project, and biggest area of expenditure. Yet, regional transport plans including July 2013. they are often taken for granted. demand forecasting on key freight On average, almost 30 cents in routes. every dollar raised in rates is spent Local Government’s on local roads. The rest is spent on plan Knowledge gaps other services and infrastructure The issue such as local libraries, public The Local Government Higher Currently the system for consenting sporting grounds and facilities, Productivity Investment Plan (referred to access on local roads requires arts and cultural facilities, parks to as the Freight Strategy) is an ALGA councils to make decisions on the and gardens – the things that make initiative in response to the need for communities unique and great higher productivity reforms and the capacity of roads and other key places to live. need to address the first/last mile assets to undertake the task, such Yet despite this level of issue. as bridges. These decisions take into investment, local government The Freight Strategy identifies four consideration engineering conditions, estimates that around 11 per cent of key steps to improving Australia’s asset management plans and all local roads are in poor to very poor freight transport system including financial management plans. Where physical condition and are in need of first/last mile issues. The four steps councils have limited, inadequate or urgent maintenance or renewal, at a include addressing: no current data on the engineering cost of an estimated $19 billion. This 1. system gaps conditions of such assets, formal is because large capital investments 2. planning gaps assessments may be required. in infrastructure, sometimes with 3. knowledge gaps, and However, councils often do not have state or Commonwealth assistance, 4. funding gaps. the resources to undertake these were made during the 60s and assessments in a timely manner. 70s with no ongoing maintenance System gaps Our solution funding to match. Local government is committed Since 2000, local government has The issue to accelerating appropriate asset also received vital Commonwealth Currently, the system for managing assessment, in particular on Government assistance to maintain Australia’s total road network is not identified priority freight routes, local roads through the Roads to appropriately linked and access subject to resources. Recovery program. These grants consent is difficult to coordinate. A are particularly important in rural key enabler of timely access to local Action required and regional areas and areas roads is a fully interoperable system Fund councils to undertake experiencing high growth where rate between the National Heavy Vehicle appropriate engineering revenue is insufficient to provide Regulator (NHVR), jurisdictions and assessments on key council assets equitable levels of service. industry. on key freight routes.

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 2 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Funding gaps Total road assets worth Case studies The issue $175 billion The current system of funding of local Across the nation, in aggregate, local Case Study 1 ...... 4 roads is designed primarily to meet roads account for around 80 per cent Central NSW Councils local property access needs in line of the total road length in Australia. with local community expectations Case Study 2 ...... 5 Recent work by ALGA indicates City of Albany, WA which reflect councils’ long term that the total replacement value of financial management plans. Given local roads nationally, is more than Case Study 3 ...... 6 that many local roads and key $175 billion. Eyre Peninsula Local transport assets were not designed Collectively councils spend more Government Area, SA and constructed to suit the modern than $7 billion annually on local road Case Study 4 ...... 7 transport fleet, priority routes need maintenance and renewal. Hume Region, Vic to be significantly enhanced to meet The Commonwealth Government increasing freight demand. provides some vital assistance to Case study 5 ...... 8 Life-cycle funding is required help councils manage these assets Legume to Road to improve the standard of these through the Roads to Recovery (R2R) Alliance, NSW & Qld local roads and key assets to meet Program, which in a normal year is Case Study 6 ...... 9 current and future transport demand. around $350 million. North-West Freight Network, NSW While up-front capital funding is Despite the best efforts of required, recurrent funding must also councils, and the R2R investment, Case Study 7 ...... 10 be increased to assist councils to many local roads do not meet Riverina Eastern Regional maintain these roads effectively. the expectations of road users, Organisation of Councils, NSW particularly transport operators. Our solution Case Study 8 ...... 11 Local government is committed to South East Queensland Council work with industry and other levels of Road funds of Mayors, Qld government to coordinate additional The Productivity Commission Public investment on key freight routes. Case Study 9 ...... 12 Infrastructure Inquiry Report released Western Australian Wheatbelt Action required in May 2014 made a number of useful Region, WA Fund strategic investments on key observations in respect of funding first and last mile elements on key and improving the productivity of These case studies demonstrate freight routes. our nation’s roads at a regional level. It suggested that ‘…the first step the willingness, capacity and in a long-term transition to a more competence of participating councils efficient and effective approach to to undertake regional planning on Further background the provision and funding of roads behalf of their region. ALGA believes information [in particular freight routes] should that these regional plans could be be the establishment of road funds developed in all regions and can provide the basic building blocks for State of these Assets by state and territory governments. State governments, and local project identification, prioritisation The 2015 State of the Assets Report, government associations, should and investment, to drive productivity commissioned by ALGA from Jeff actively encourage and support local improvements across council Roorda and Associates, estimates governments to form regional road boundaries and in some cases that local roads make up around 40 funds for networks of local roads’. jurisdictional boundaries. per cent of total local government ALGA generally supports the assets. However, despite the current Productivity Commission’s objectives annual level of investment in local to improve transport planning and roads, the report shows that around funding. In particular, ALGA strongly 11 per cent, or more than $19 billion, supports regional transport planning of these roads and assets are in poor to identify priorities and funding or very poor condition and require opportunities. ALGA does not, significant renewal or rehabilitation. however, support the Commission’s It is estimated that an additional preliminary views about the design of $1.2 billion per annum is required to road funds which would pool existing make up for past under-expenditure funding. ALGA strongly believes and to catch-up on the backlog and that regional priorities that cross underfunding. council boundaries require new and Given that local roads are additional funding. The Productivity primarily funded through rates, state- Commission itself acknowledges government imposed rate capping that further work is required on this has significantly impeded local proposal and ALGA would be pleased government’s capacity to maintain to work with the Commission and the local roads. Government on developing such an approach.

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 3 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 1 Central NSW Councils

What is Centroc? Where is it located? criteria using a QBL approach1, Key learnings The Central NSW Councils (Centroc) informed by funding criteria Centroc has been able to identify represents more than 243,000 from both the State and Federal and plot the key freight generators people covering an area of more governments, and covers the on the map. Soon it will plot the road than 72,500 square kilometres, following areas: water, transport, infrastructure projects that are listed comprising the local government freight and logistics, education in the matrix. The ability to include areas (LGAs) of Bathurst, Blayney, and health, sport and cultural, this information in a visual format Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Hilltops, communications and energy. is invaluable not just to the Centroc Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, region, but also to funding bodies and Parkes, Upper Lachlan, Weddin and Transport, freight and logistics reviewing agencies, allowing them Central Tablelands Water. priorities to properly comprehend the flow-on Initial work in this space has effects that one project can have to Why was it formed? identified 75 projects across the Central NSW and beyond. The Group Centroc’s mission is to be recognised 13 LGAs in Centroc. Though this is still in a formative stage, which is as the lead organisation advocating work, it was identified that more logical given the variety of parties on agreed regional positions and focus on freight corridors with our involved. However, the Group shows priorities for Central NSW, while region would be a valuable advocacy Centroc’s willingness to work with providing a forum for facilitating tool. From here, two groups were State and Federal agencies to assist regional cooperation and sharing of formed: a Road Technical Committee in bringing more road funding to the knowledge, expertise and resources. comprising Directors of Technical region. Services from across Centroc, Centroc’s guiding principle is: “Recognise that the best outcomes When was the roads group formed? and the Strategic Regional Roads occur when they are based on How does it prosecute its agenda? Group (the Group) embracing key collaborative and researched advice.” Over the past 18 months, Centroc stakeholders with regards to as a new Pilot Joint Organisation of roads and regional development in Councils has worked in collaboration Central NSW. with key stakeholders, including Regional Development Australia Key outputs Central West and the State agencies, A key output has been the Regional on the prioritisation of the region’s Freight Task Map, put together in infrastructure need. conjunction with the National Heavy As part of this work, this Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The map region has developed a Multi is hosted by the NHVR, so it has the Criteria Analysis for prioritising most up-to-date information relating infrastructure. The method for this to the prescribed heavy vehicle prioritisation takes 28 evaluation routes within Central NSW.

1 QBL is a framework for an integrated planning, decision-making and reporting process that is recommended by the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI) as the most appropriate planning and reporting format for local governments. QBL has its origins in the 1992 United National Local Agenda 21 program, aimed at applying sustainable development at a local level to achieve social and economic goals. QBL also takes into account “Corporate Governance”.

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 4 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 2 City of Albany, WA

Where is the City of Albany located? The project has been sensibly directly through the city to the Albany With a population of more than rationalised and, at an estimate Port. This manifests in delays in 36,000 the City of Albany is located of $172 million to complete the freight delivery to the port, reductions in the south west of Western project, seems achievable with a in the number of trips per day, and Australia covering 4,312.3 square staged approach over the next few imposes costs upon the region’s kilometres and includes the years, provided there are both State transport and grain industries. busy Port of Albany, surrounding and Federal funding commitments. Road safety has deteriorated due agricultural district and a number of The City of Albany would like to to the greater volumes of local and national parks. partner with the State Government tourism traffic that combine with the to lobby the Federal Government to freight task. The Albany Highway/ Why was the project developed? commit 50 per cent of the funds for Chester Pass Road/South Coast this important project as soon as Highway roundabout intersection is Great Southern Region of Western possible. currently the ninth worst intersection Australia is a key agricultural area in regional Western Australia in that contributes significantly to Transport, freight and logistics terms of the number of crashes. the State’s exports of wheat and priorities woodchips. Albany is the region’s Traffic volumes on the roundabout major industrial, commercial and Albany has experienced modest intersection are in excess of 38,000 retail centre and is connected to the population growth and increased with 10 per cent of the movements surrounding region by key freight tourism resulting in greater volumes being heavy vehicles. At peak harvest routes. of local traffic and pressure on periods, this heavy vehicle mix is The State Government of Western its urban road network. Albany’s significantly worsened. In recent Australia has recognised the safety growing traffic demand is placing times the roundabout has been and productivity issues related to increasing pressure on the listed by the Royal Automobile Club freight movements through the city efficiency of the region’s grain and of WA (RAC) as one of the riskiest area and have developed a proposal timber freight task, which passes intersections in the state network. for the development of a ‘ring road’ around the city to improve access to the Port of Albany, enhance safety and amenity on the urban road network and provide priority access to heavy vehicles on the route.

How has the project been advanced? The construction of the Albany Ring Road is a transformational project which will address the main concerns and provide key infrastructure for economic growth in the region. The first stage of the project was completed in 2007 and links the South Coast Highway to the Albany Highway, significantly enhancing road access to the Mirambeena Timber Precinct. Completion of the project involves the construction of Stages 2 and 3, which provides connectivity to the Port of Albany. Stage 1: Constructed in 2007

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 5 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 3 Eyre Peninsula Local Government Area, SA

What is Eyre Peninsula LGA? When was EPLGA’s Regional Level 2 local road based on the Where is it located? Transport Strategy formed? How categories applied by the state’s The Eyre Peninsula local government does it prosecute its agenda? Local Roads Advisory Panel (i.e. area (EPLGA) represents more The EPLGA’s latest Regional Transport speed environment, dimensions, geometry and strength/durability). than 59,000 people covering an Strategy (the 2015 Strategy) ∙∙ Each route (or part thereof) area of more than 230,000 square provides enhanced guidance on the has been broadly assessed for kilometres, extending from Whyalla management and development of compliance with the above criteria in the east to South Australia’s roads across the region, building on as either: “compliant”, containing the 2003 Strategy. Importantly, the border with Western Australia, one or more “minor deficiency/s”, Strategy sits within a hierarchy of including 1,800 kilometres of or containing one or more “major plans covering State, regional and coastline (roughly 33 per cent of SA’s deficiency/s”. coastline). It comprises 11 councils: council levels, including the South ∙∙ This is further supported by Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Cleve, Australian Strategic Plan, the South EPLGA’s introduction of a Regional Elliston, Franklin Harbour, Kimba, Australian Planning Strategy, the Roads Database supported by Lower Eyre Peninsula, Streaky Bay, Integrated Transport and Land Use its councils. Tumby Bay, and Wudinna District. Plan and the Strategic Infrastructure ∙∙ This information has then been Plan for South Australia. The South combined with each council’s Why was the EPLGA formed? Australian Strategic Plan has been forward funding program to prepared as a basis for guiding all This region has extensive finalise initial Regional Road Action government actions and priorities. infrastructure which includes four of Plans for the entire Eyre Peninsula, the State’s nine major export ports, as contained within Section 7.3 of Transport, freight and logistics three major regional airports and the 2015 Strategy. priorities connections to the national road and rail networks. The councils maintain The 2015 Strategy has introduced Key outputs more than 13,000 kilometres of a number of improvements and The 2015 Strategy provides a local roads, of which 94 per cent are initiatives: sound framework for participating unsealed roads. The heavy freight ∙∙ A more tightly defined hierarchy councils to fully incorporate into task is significant and increasing, of local roads across all 11 their strategic, transport and land with substantial potential for change councils to increase consistency use planning process. This in turn as a result of proposed mining of approach. enables EPLGA as a region to best development across the region. ∙∙ Regionally significant routes are pursue funding from appropriate EPLGA faces considerable now defined as ‘Level 1‘ routes sources for projects ranked at the financial and logistical challenges and Locally significant routes have top of the list of identified priority with the development and been defined as ‘Level 2’ routes. road projects, supported by agreed maintenance of its infrastructure They are also sub-categorised and transparent regional assessment due to its size, remoteness, diversity into ‘freight’, ‘tourism’ and ‘social’ guidelines and underpinned by broad and the scattered nature of its local roads. regional support. population. The Eyre and Western ∙∙ The introduction of Regional Road areas’ economies are based on Action Plans categorised into aquaculture and primary production immediate, medium and long and processing, with its producers term priorities for improvement contributing about 33 per cent of the of all regional freight, tourism State’s grain harvest and 90 per cent and community access routes of its seafood output. In addition, identified in the 2015 Strategy. the EPLGA has among the highest ∙∙ These Regional Road Action Plans number of visitors of the State’s non- are generated by each council metro tourist regions. The significant undertaking a broad “fit-for- visitor influx places extra demand on purpose” assessment of the coastal infrastructure and services. condition of each Level 1 and

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 6 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 4 Hume Region, Vic

What is the Hume Region? to focus freight directions towards west routes. Heavy vehicles Where is it located? outcomes that would provide benefits are impacting the main street The Hume Region includes the in the Hume region, in particular of the heritage township of 12 municipalities of Alpine, freight managers and customers, Rutherglen, detracting from Benalla, Greater Shepparton, and support improvements on key the tourism economy and wine Indigo, Mansfield, Mitchell, Moira, high-use arterial corridors such as the processing, which has resulted Murrindindi, Strathbogie, Towong, Hume Freeway. in heavy seasonal impacts. The Wangaratta and Wodonga. The Hume Gooramadda – Up River Road is a Region covers north east Victoria Transport, freight and logistics local road that acts as an east- and the Goulburn Valley, extending priorities west freight route, and upgrading over 40,000 square kilometres from The Hume Region Freight Improvement this route for freight would create the northern boundary of greater Program has identified a number of a bypass option for heavy vehicles transiting through Rutherglen. Melbourne in the south to the priority projects to improve freight The road is approximately 20 Victorian border in the north. movement and productivity in the region. These include: kilometres in length and would cost approximately $2-3 million. Why was it formed? ∙∙ Shepparton (Horticulture and ∙∙ Strathbogie (Intensive Agriculture Councils in the Hume Region have Dairy) – nationally-significant Cluster) – the area located collaborated to develop a proposal food production accounting between the Goulburn Valley for a Regional Freight Improvement for approximately 70 per Highway and Program. The program aims to cent of product for export or has become a key agricultural address the following issues: GRP $2.6 billion, with poor production area. Strathbogie Shire infrastructure on key access roads ∙∙ a lack of business case models has identified Nagambie-Locksley a barrier to export supply chain for rural areas with multiple Road, between Goulburn Valley efficiency. Two candidate projects heavy vehicle access demands, a Highway and Avenel-Longwood have been identified: Old Dookie Rd large road asset base to manage Road, to develop as a strategic – Shepparton Alternative Route to and few mechanisms to levy freight route. The project involves Lockwood Rd (est. $950,000) and ratepayers or road users for the upgrade of the route to Lemnos Rd North – Central Avenue additional infrastructure upgrades; Performance-Based Standards (i.e. (est. $605,000). ∙∙ use of local roads as arterial $8,010,000) along 17.8 kilometres. ∙∙ Moira (Grains) – issues such as alternatives; conflict at harvest time between ∙∙ linking asset investment to supply Key outputs tourism and truck movements, chain productivity; and growth of on-farm storage 1. The Hume Region Planning for ∙∙ facilitation of nationally which has exacerbated access Freight Pilot Strategy Report significant-freight places and conditions year round. In addition 2. RDA Freight Directions in the corridors in the region. larger, wider and more efficient Hume – Summary Report farm machinery and increased 3. Strategic Transport Framework. When was it formed? How does it heavy vehicle access demands prosecute its agenda? are placing greater stress on the The Hume Region has a number of roads. A ‘Share the Wear’ Model opportunities to grow and develop. has been developed with growers It needs to align industry outputs agreeing to the strategic harvest and general population growth with routes for heavy vehicles and to freight transport needs to provide prioritise improvements to the efficient supply chains and support network based on a productivity industry growth. To ensure the assessment. strategic directions are relevant to ∙∙ Indigo (Livestock, Wine & Grain) the region and aligned with State – livestock transport to the and Commonwealth policies, it was meat processor and saleyards agreed by councils in the region exacerbate use of local east-

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 7 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case study 5 Legume to Woodenbong Road Alliance, NSW & Qld

What is Legume to Woodenbong Road Mount Lindesay Road bottleneck section are: road and bridge width, Alliance? Where is it located? remains – the 42 km Legume to rollover crash risk and pavement The Legume to Woodenbong Road Woodenbong section. damage. The audit identified 10 Alliance (LWRA) comprises the road segments that must be following six local councils in the Transport, freight and logistics addressed which become the north-east area of priorities priority projects for funding. bordering Queensland: , The Mount Lindesay Road, a former Key outputs Lismore City, Richmond Valley Shire, State Highway decommissioned in Southern Downs Regional Council 1982, was a 146 km long north-south Since the LWRA’s formation, (Qld), Scenic Rim Regional Council section of the $4.5 million of funds has been (Qld), and Tenterfield Shire. LWRA from Tenterfield to Mount Lindesay, secured from the NSW Government also includes local State and Federal Qld border. The road’s current and expended over 2014-2016 to members of parliament, the NSW function is movement of local goods upgrade the road. A joint Federal Roads and Maritime Services agency, and services between the local Coalition election commitment transport operators and community area and the larger outlying regional with the NSW Government in June members. centres, specifically the transport 2016 promised funds of $24 million of primary produce to processing to complete the Legume to Why was it formed? centres and markets. This includes Woodenbong upgrade. LWRA’s was formed to promote beef, sheep, pigs, dairy, stock feed, the “Northern Growth Corridor” timber, fruit, vegetables and tea Key learnings connecting Casino, NSW via the tree oil. Tourism in recent years The funding outcomes achieved Summerland Way near Woodenbong has been expanding with various demonstrates the strength in and the Cunningham/New England national parks accessible via road. partnerships, particularly through Highway at Warwick in south east The road’s poor condition means the LWRA, where the councils worked Queensland. The road upgrade is that it is not the preferred route for closely on cross-border issues, as required to link with the key transport freight operations, despite the route well as cooperation of governments nodes in south east Queensland and being significantly shorter than the at all levels. NSW. The LWRA’s role is to work with alternative. stakeholders to lobby all levels of To progress the North Growth government to secure funding for Corridor transport agenda, LWRA the road renewal upgrade and bridge have completed the following priority work required on Mt Lindesay Road tasks: between Legume and Woodenbong. ∙∙ Hired GHD to do an Economic Development Case in 2013 mainly When was it formed? How does it focused on the 42 km Legume to prosecute its agenda? Woodenbong section. GHD decided LWRA was formed in 2009. The the agenda strongly aligned with LWRA via the Mount Lindesay Road regional development objectives, Upgrade project has sought to likely to create regional economic stimulate the economic growth of activity and new jobs beyond the the region forming the northern part immediate region (a stimulus of of Tenterfield Shire. Historically, the $100 million over 30 years, create key economic constraint has been 30 direct and 90 indirect jobs, the poor quality of road access plus make vehicle operating cost from to the NSW border savings of $21 million). and the along the ∙∙ A Road Safety Evaluation Audit Summerland Way. Recent upgrades done in 2014. The three key issues to both of these sections of road affecting the safety of heavy have improved access, but one vehicle transit along the 42 km

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ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 8 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 6 North-West Freight Network, NSW

What is the North-West Freight avenues for productivity-based core road freight network covering Network? Where is it located? funding allocations. Smart freight 23 discrete shire, regional, and The North-West Network (the improvements can bring much state highway upgrades (BCR Network) is a road investment and greater efficiency to a nationally- range 0.67 – 1.67; a mean BCR sustainability program designed significant task. of 1.16). This will produce lower for a 57,000 square kilometre overall freight costs to cotton agriculture powerhouse region of When was it formed? How does it and grain growers, plus increase north-west NSW. The program has prosecute its agenda? productivity of the Inland Rail project and give land use been developed by regional councils The Network was formed in 2015 investment certainty to local working together to support more and its authors have applied a clear industry which relies on efficient efficient and sustainable road and 6-point strategy to achieve broad transport planning. rail infrastructure to drive more goals: 2. Roads Sustainability – A productive regional communities. ∙∙ identify the core road freight willingness to examine best The five parties that make up the network of the region, which practice global approaches Network are the Gwydir, Moree includes working in partnership to sustain the region’s overall Plains, Gunnedah, Warrumbungle with heavy road freight and 12,000-kilometre local road and Narrabri Shire councils. The mainline rail freight, with the network, including considering Network services one of Australia’s most efficient road freight flows commercial and partnered most productive agricultural regions coordinated to major railheads. financing and operational – producing over $2 billion in mostly ∙∙ develop a productive business approaches, provided they grains, cotton and cattle annually. case on the core network to allow demonstrate better value for for higher productivity vehicle money. Why was it formed? access. The five regional councils all face the ∙∙ encourage communities outside Key outputs same basic road challenges: the region to join the effort to The Network’s business case spread the benefits further. ∙∙ they are each home to very included an economic analysis of ∙∙ consider new investment models productive agricultural economies the viability of $160 million in higher in the road network to tap and strong communities. productivity upgrades to the region’s operating efficiencies and capital ∙∙ they are burdened by a costly and most important road freight routes, upgrades. hard-to-sustain road asset base prioritised down from a longer list ∙∙ explain objectives and merits in which will need to attract more totaling $275 million. funding to continue to support a single plain English plan (i.e. The North-West Freight Network local industry productivity, Key learnings road-user safety and community document). connectedness. ∙∙ support more efficient and The Network proposed in the capital ∙∙ the Australian Rural Road Group sustainable road and rail upgrades contained in the business wanted to show that councils infrastructure in the interests case is the beginning of the least can work together to achieve of more productive regional cost core freight network. It will bring a standard asset management communities. incentives for the wider network method that is simple to to be planned and upgraded more implement and would give Transport, freight and logistics efficiently and selectively over time. consistency in allocating funding. priorities The network of over 12,000 The Network’s proposal for kilometres of roads has little productivity-based funding opportunity to secure major new allocations revolves around two capital funds from governments in major features: the prevailing fiscal climate. At the 1. Road Productivity – A productive same time, the public sector roads $160 million aspirational capital system does not offer significant upgrade program for the region’s

Local Infrastructure Driving Productivity 2016 CONGRESS BULLETIN 9

ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 9 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 7 Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils, NSW

What is REROC? Where is it located? of new and existing industries. The on each route. Assessments are The Riverina Eastern Regional Regional Freight Transport Plan forms based on an agreed weighted matrix Organisation of Councils (REROC) the basis for working collaboratively developed by REROC members. covers an area in excess of 45,000 with the State Government, and The project is supported by a square kilometres and a population providing advocacy for the region and cloud-based mapping tool, of 140,000. REROC is a voluntary submissions for funding. It has been reroc.giscloud.com, that allows association of 11 local government of great benefit in assisting councils users to see how overlapping layers bodies, located in the eastern to attract State Government funding of information contained in the Riverina region of New South for roads infrastructure. plan interact with each other. The Wales. The members of REROC are mapping tool and its freight transport the councils of Bland, Coolamon, Transport, freight and logistics information is also used to support Cootamundra-Gundagai, Greater priorities REROC’s Industrial Land Mapping Project, which is an economic Hume, Junee, Lockhart, Snowy The REROC region contains some of development initiative. Valleys, Temora, Wagga Wagga and NSW’s most heavily utilised road and Goldenfields Water and Riverina rail transport corridors, including the Water County councils. Hume Highway, the , Key learnings the , the Burley The REROC Regional Freight Why was it formed? Griffin Way and the Main Southern Transport Plan is an excellent REROC was established in 1994 as a Rail Line. Freight and logistics are an example of regional collaboration forum where member councils could integral part of the economic well- in the interests of the region. initiate and implement projects that being of the eastern Riverina. The The plan identifies economic harness the economies of scale region contains the main Sydney- development opportunities, and economies of scope that could Melbourne road corridor, the Hume investment opportunities, as well be generated by pooling resources, Highway, the Main Southern Rail as the evidence base to support staff and expertise. REROC is an Line, as well as the main Melbourne- investment decisions, advocacy and incorporated association in NSW. Brisbane road corridors, the Newell submissions for additional funding. Highway and the Olympic Highway. When was it formed? How does it The region also contains the Sturt prosecute its agenda? Highway which is part of the main Sydney/Adelaide transport corridor. The Regional Freight Transport Plan In undertaking the project REROC was published in June 2014 and was was committed to the utilisation of initiated by REROC to investigate the special data technologies to map freight infrastructure network from a the outcomes of the project and regional perspective. has identified the ‘freight routes Most of the 41 million tonnes of of regional significance’; these freight that is transported between routes have been identified in in the NSW and Victoria each year passes following categories: through the REROC region, primarily by road but also rail. The forecast 1. national and state roads; growth in freight will add significant 2. regional roads; and pressure on road and rail networks 3. local roads. in the region. It will also bring opportunities for growth of logistics- Key outputs based enterprises across the region. The Regional Freight Transport Constraints on freight corridors Plan contains detailed analysis hinder growth and inhibit economic of infrastructure constraints on activity, costing industry time and 39 specific routes, as well as an money and, in some instances, act assessment of the major industry as a barrier to the establishment serviced and typical vehicle type

10 2016 CONGRESS BULLETIN Local Infrastructure Driving Productivity

ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 10 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 8 South East Queensland Council of Mayors, Qld

Council of Mayors SEQ – who are we? The region is currently home The Council of Mayors (SEQ) also The Council of Mayors South East to one in seven Australians, with a continues to advocate for priority Queensland (SEQ) is Australia’s projected population growth of 4.4 infrastructure projects across the largest regional local government million by 2031. While this healthy region, including North Coast Rail advocacy organisation, representing population growth fuels SEQ’s Line (Beerburrum to Nambour), the interests of the one in seven economy and job creation, it also Darra to Springfield Rail Extension, Australians who reside in the presents a number of challenges. Northern Busway, Gold Coast SEQ region. A lack of investment in the SEQ Light Rail Stage 3 and continued The membership of the Council region’s infrastructure, and the improvements to the SEQ’s major of Mayors (SEQ) consists of the 11 flow-on effect this has on economic arterials. Mayors representing the councils of growth and quality of life, remains an Significant effort has also SEQ: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, ongoing challenge for the region. been invested in the investigation Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, of innovative mechanisms to Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, What are the Council of Mayors’ (SEQ) better prioritise and fund major Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba key transport, freight and logistics infrastructure projects at a regional, councils. outcomes and priorities? state and national level. The In recent years, the Council of Council of Mayors (SEQ) has been What is the Council of Mayors’ (SEQ) Mayors (SEQ) has welcomed coordinating with Federal and State purpose? commitments by the Federal and governments in the application of The Council of Mayors (SEQ) State governments for a number of the ‘City Deals’ funding model in SEQ, consistently delivers better regional key infrastructure projects, including with a view to securing a long-term funding, policy and collaborative upgrades to the Bruce, Pacific, funding arrangement in the near outcomes for the mayors, councils Gateway and Ipswich motorways, future. and communities of SEQ. Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, More information on the Council This is achieved by advocating Gold Coast Light Rail, Beaudesert of Mayors (SEQ) and its infrastructure for a better-resourced region, Bypass and the Melbourne to priorities can be found at influencing other levels of Brisbane Inland Rail Project. seqmayors.qld.gov.au government to support regional growth and collaborating to deliver effective and innovative programs and policies for SEQ. The organisation is focused on three key portfolio areas: economic development, infrastructure and planning and, waterways and environment. Through these key areas of interest and a strong history of collaboration, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) continues to be a powerful agent for regional advocacy, innovation and project delivery.

What are the challenges and opportunities for SEQ? The SEQ region is an economic powerhouse, generating more than 20 per cent of the nation’s economic and employment growth and driving the prosperity of Queensland.

Local Infrastructure Driving Productivity 2016 CONGRESS BULLETIN 11

ALGA_Roads16_CongressBulletin.indd 11 2/11/2016 2:47 pm Case Study 9 Western Australian Wheatbelt Region, WA

What is the Western Australian During discussions in early 2016 Transport, freight and logistics Wheatbelt Region? Where is it between Main Roads WA, WALGA, priorities located? and the Chairs of the North and South Wheatbelt Regional Road The Western Australian Regional The Western Australian Wheatbelt Groups, it was agreed that it was Freight Network Transport Plan covers 155,000 km2 extending from in the interests of all stakeholders published in 2013 recognises and the edge of the Perth metropolitan that local governments through the identifies the development needs of area, north to the mid-west Regional Road Groups initiate work only State and national highways. region and east to the Goldfields- to identify and map the secondary This results in significant gaps in the Esperance region. Within the region or collector routes that service the supply chain serving industries in the are two regional roads groups – Wheatbelt Region. The purpose of Wheatbelt Region. The freight task in Wheatbelt South Regional Road these routes, which connect to the Wheatbelt Region has grown and Group, comprising 18 shires, and State and national highways, is to changed significantly in the past five Wheatbelt North Regional Road accommodate the large numbers of years as a result of: Group, comprising 24 shires. (Shires heavy vehicle movements required to ∙∙ increased grain production (in the of Beverley, Brookton, Bruce Rock, carry freight across shire boundaries five years to 2015/16 average Chittering, Corrigin, Cunderdin, and service the whole region. grain receivals by CBH was 13.5 Cuballing, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, million tonnes per annum; a 50 per Dowerin, Dumbleyung, Gingin, When was Western Australian cent increase on average receivals Goomalling, Kellerberrin, Kondinin, Wheatbelt Freight Plan of 9.0 million tonnes per annum in Koorda, Kulin, Lake Grace, Merredin, the previous five-year period); Moora, Mount Marshall, Mukinbudin, developed? How does it ∙∙ closure of over 500 kilometres Narembeen, Narrogin, Northam, prosecute its agenda? of rail previously exclusively Nungarin, Pingelly, Quairading, Although still in early stages, a draft servicing the grain industry Tammin, Toodyay, Trayning, Victoria Western Australian Wheatbelt Freight (750,000 tonnes in average year); Plains, Wagin, Wandering, West Arthur, Plan has been developed using ∙∙ increased use of agricultural lime, Westonia, Wickepin, Williams, Wongan a consultative process between fertilisers and other inputs; Ballidu, Wyaldatchem, Yilgarn, York). neighboring local governments ∙∙ opening of a new (Bunge) grain There are approximately 75,000 working initially in small groups and export facility at Bunbury Port; and residents in the region and the then bringing together proposals ∙∙ continued trend to use larger councils are responsible for 40,897 developed in each sub-region. trucks (typically 27.5 metre road kilometres of roads. In some local Industry and other stakeholders trains with gross vehicle mass of government areas, there are no State- who were engaged by the local 87.5 tonnes). controlled roads. governments in the early phases have been consulted again with Key outputs Why was the freight plan the draft network to ensure roads The Western Australian Wheatbelt meet the set criteria and a proposed developed? Freight Plan will look to identify Secondary Freight Routes plan can and agree on which local roads The Wheatbelt Blueprint (Wheatbelt be agreed. Development Commission http:// should be the main collector roads www.wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/ The next stages are: to bring freight traffic to the Main publications/wheatbelt-blueprint/) 1. secure funding to undertake an Roads Network and determine identifies that continued investment assessment of the proposed the Restricted Access Vehicle in a strategic network of road and rail routes to identify and scope road (RAV) rating of these roads. The infrastructure is critical to providing improvements required to ensure identified and agreed collector the productivity and efficiency gains the safe and efficient access roads can then form the road freight that underpin key agricultural and for restricted access or higher network priorities, and funding can resource industries in the region. productivity vehicles; then be sought to undertake the Specifically, the Blueprint calls for a 2. cost and prioritise the essential improvements required to attain the mitigation plan for increased numbers development work; and relevant RAV ratings. of heavy vehicles on roads, including 3. prepare a business case for This plan can be shared to a review of the road management investment in the prioritised enable industry to base investment hierarchy. routes. decisions on the Wheatbelt Freight Network. The plan will also direct freight traffic to specific local roads enabling the relevant shire to focus investment and maintenance effort on these routes and therefore dramatically reduce the maintenance necessary on other routes.

12 2016 CONGRESS BULLETIN Local Infrastructure Driving Productivity

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