ACHIEVEMENTS OF STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT
2005/06–2009/10 THE LOCAL ROAD NETWORK
This report presents the achievements of the State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement 2005/06 – 2009/10. The Agreement can be found at http://www.walga.asn.au/about/policy/infrastructure/SRFTLGA ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 1
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2 Category Two 15
Foreword by the Minister for Transport 2 Traffic Management and Road Safety 15
Foreword by the WALGA President 3 State Black Spot Program 16
THE LOCAL ROAD NETWORK 4 Access Roads to Remote Aboriginal Communities 18 Overview of the State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement 4 Local Government Bridges 19
Local Road Network Statistics 4 National Parks/DEC/Rottnest Island/Kings Park 20
Source of Funds – Local Roads 4 Category Three 23
Funding Under the Agreement 5 State Initiatives on Local Roads 23
Local Road Funding Pressures 5 Category One: Snapshot of Road Project and Black Spot Grants 24 DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO AND WITHIN THE AGREEMENT 6 Gascoyne Regional Road Group 25
Category One 7 Goldfields-Esperance Regional Road Group 27
Direct Grants 7 Great Southern Regional Road Group 29
Road Project Grants 8 Kimberley Regional Road Group 31
Strategic and Technical Support 9 Metropolitan Regional Road Group 33
MINDER 10 Mid West Regional Road Group 35
ROMAN II 11 Pilbara Regional Road Group 37
WALGA RoadWise Program 12 South West Regional Road Group 39
The ROADS Foundation 13 Wheatbelt North Regional Road Group 41
Wheatbelt South Regional Road Group 43 INTRODUCTION
Foreword by the Minister for Transport
For 15 years Western Australia has led the nation with its fund sharing arrangement that has provided certainty of State Government contribution towards maintaining and expanding the State’s Local Government Road Network. The contribution, which is based on a fixed share of vehicle license fees, provides a growth revenue stream for Local Governments across the State to share. During the last five-year agreement Local Government’s share grew from $86 million in 2005/06 to $129 million in 2009/10. During the life of this Agreement it is estimated that revenue to Local Government will grow by at least 23 percent. The arrangements reflected in the Agreement not only provide a contribution certainty, it also enables both the State and Local Government to focus on regionally significant road links which bring the greatest benefit to the community. The State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement signifies the strength and maturity of the relationship between Local and State Governments in Western Australia. I look forward to working closely with Local Government in delivering improvements to the State’s local road network.
Hon Troy Buswell, MLA Minister for Transport ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 3
Foreword by the WALGA President
Meeting the cost to build, maintain and renew the local road network is an ongoing challenge for Local Government. In Western Australia we enjoy a unique partnership between State and Local Government through the State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement. This Agreement is a vital source of local road funding. Also it provides the foundation for Local Government and Main Roads at a local, regional and State wide level to work together as network managers to plan for and deliver road infrastructure for the benefit of all road users. This Publication highlights the range of projects delivered through the State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement. This ranges from projects to upgrade and renew the road network and to maintain and replace vital bridge infrastructure through to dedicated traffic management and road safety activities delivering safer road and roadsides for our communities. I’d like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Local Governments, and in particular the members of the Regional Road Groups, in delivering road projects over the life of this Agreement. I look forward to the continuing partnership between State and Local Government in the provision of local road infrastructure, which is so critical to the ongoing economic and social health of Western Australia.
Mayor Troy Pickard WALGA President THE LOCAL ROAD NETWORK
Overview of the State Road Funds to Local Source of Funds – Local Roads Government Agreement The State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement is a critical The State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement 2005/06 source of funding for local roads. In 2008-09 funding from the to 2009/10 (the Agreement) is the third road funding Agreement Agreement provided 16.8% of funds (excluding funds allocated to between State and Local Government. These Agreements Local Government roads for expenditure by MRWA) for the local reinforce the strong partnership between the State Government road network. Figure 1 illustrates that total Local Government and Local Government in delivering road infrastructure for expenditure on roads was $565.3 m in 2008-09 and the source of Western Australia. these funds. The Agreement provided Local Government with an allocation of Figure 1: Sources of Local Government Road Funds 2008-09 annual funds based on 27% of vehicle license fee revenue, which was incorporated into the annual funding appropriations by the State Government to Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA). The remainder of the vehicle license Fees (73%) was allocated to MRWA forming part of their annual budget appropriations from the State Government. This Agreement was extended until July 2011 to enable negotiations for a new Agreement to reach a conclusion. MRWA and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), through the State Road Funds to Local Government Advisory Committee (SAC) oversee this road funding Agreement. SAC endorses an annual local roads program and monitors ongoing funding and expenditure. Procedures developed by SAC, detailing the requirements for administering, distributing and accounting for funding allocation and expenditure, are monitored and improved. For example, during this Agreement (Note: Excludes funds allocated to Local Government roads for expenditure by new Guidelines were developed for Black Spot and Road Project MRWA)3 Grants. Figure 2 outlines the sources of Local Government Road To facilitate regional involvement in the planning and delivery of Expenditure from 2004-05 to 2008-09, illustrating the critical projects, the Agreement establishes a network of ten Regional source of State funds for local roads. Road Groups (RRG), which allows all Local Governments within a region to be directly involved in decision making through the Figure 2: Sources of Local Government Road Expenditure allocation of road funds to strategic projects within their region. from 2004-05 to 2008-09
Local Road Network Statistics
■■ 72% of the WA road network² ■■ 128, 147 km ■■ 28.6% sealed ■■ $18.98 b replacement value as at 30 June 2009 ■■ 11, 210 km of footpaths and dual use paths ■■ 159, 929 m² of bridge area
N.B: Excludes funds allocated to Local Government roads for expenditure by Main Roads WA4
3 Report on Local Government Road Assets and Expenditure 2008/09, WALGA, p5 2 Report on Local Government Road Assets and Expenditure 2008/09, WALGA, p14 4 Report on Local Government Road Assets and Expenditure 2008/09, WALGA, p9 ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 5
Funding Under the Agreement Figure 3: Annual Shortfall between Road Preservation Needs and Expenditure7 The Agreement provides an annual allocation of 27% of projected vehicle license fees for expenditure on local roads. Over the life of the Agreement, the collection of annual vehicle license fees exceeded the projections in the Agreement as outlined in Table 1. This increased growth in licensed vehicles reflected economic conditions and population growth during this period.
Table 1: Annual Projected and Actual Funds
Year Projected Actual Allocation Allocation ($M) ($M) The ongoing contribution of State funds is critical in assisting 2005-06 84.968 86.968 Local Governments address this shortfall. 2006-07 87.781 94.072 In nominal terms, funds delivered under the Agreement increased 2007-08 91.456 108.367 49% over the five years ending 2009-10. Measured in real 2008-09 95.533 123.550 (constant purchasing power) terms using the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Road and Bridge Construction Cost Index8, 2009-10 98.740 129.675 there was a 25% increase in annual funding over the five years to TOTAL 459.478 542.632 2009-10 (Table 2). Economic activity in Western Australia grew 18.2% in real terms over this period9, while the population grew Source: ARRB Group Ltd 20105 11.4%10. In the five years 2004-05 to 2008-09 total funding for local roads Local Road Funding Pressures from all sources increased by 44% while the cost of roadworks, as measured by the ABS Road and Bridge Construction Cost Index for The estimated cost of maintaining the local road network at its Western Australia, increased by 29%. The proportion of funding current condition in 2008-09 was $519.4 m6. Local Governments for local roads provided by the State Government fell from 17.5% spent $368.5 m, a shortfall of $150.9 m. In the last five years the in 2005-06 to 16.8% in 2009-10. shortfall has increased from $93.1 m in 2004-05 to $150.9 m in 2008-09. Table 2: Annual Nominal and Real Value of the Funds The increase in the shortfall is partly due to increasing expenditure on capital upgrade and expansion of the road Year Nominal Real Value network to meet the growing transport task; costs of maintaining Value in $M the road network are increasing at a faster rate than road ($M) (indexed by RBCI) funding; and the cost of doing business has increased. 2005-06 86.97 86.97 2006-07 94.07 88.46 2007-08 108.37 95.84 2008-09 123.55 102.10 2009-10 129.68 108.79 Source: ARRB Group Ltd 2010
8 Australian Bureau of Statistics Cat No 6427.0 Producer Price Index, Australia 5 Review of State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement 2005/06 – 2009/10, 9 Australian Bureau of Statistics Cat No 5220.0 Australian National Accounts: State ARRB Group Ltd., 2010, p4 Accounts, 2009/10 6 Report on Local Government Road Assets and Expenditure 2008/09, WALGA, p4 10 Australian Bureau of Statistics Cat No 3218.0 Regional Population Growth 7 Report on Local Government Road Assets and Expenditure 2008/09, WALGA, p6 Australia, March 2011 DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO AND WITHIN THE AGREEMENT
The following chart outlines the percentage distribution of funds within the Agreement.
Figure 4: Funds Distribution within the Agreement
VEHICLE LICENCE FEES REVENUE Appropriated to Main Roads
Local Government Road Funding State Road Funding (27% of VLF) (73% of VLF)
CATEGORY 3 (15%) CATEGORY 1 (60%) CATEGORY 2 (25%) State initiatives on local roads.
Strategic & Road Project Direct Grants Technical Support Grants (17%) (3%) (80%)
Traffic Management & Bridgeworks & Bridge National Parks (DEC), Remote Access Roads Road Safety Inspections Rottnest Island & Kings Park (5%) (82%) (10%) (3%)
As seen from Figure 4 funding is allocated into three categories: Category One – 60% of funds allocated for: ■■ Road Project Grants ■■ Direct Grants ■■ Strategic and Technical Support
Category Two – 25% of funds allocated for: ■■ Traffic Management and Road Safety ■■ State Black Spot Program ■■ Bridgeworks and Bridge Inspections ■■ Remote access roads to Aboriginal communities ■■ National Parks, Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)11, Rottnest Island and Kings Park
Category Three – 15% of funds allocated for:
■■ State initiatives on local roads Further information on these Categories and the funding contained within them is outlined in the following section.
11 The Department of Conservation and Land Management became the Department of Environment and Conservation during the Agreement ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 7
CATEGORY ONE
National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Direct Grants: 17% of Category One Access Roads 5% Category One Direct Grants are allocated to each Local Government using Category 60% an Asset Preservation Model formula provided by the Western Three 15% Australian Local Government Grants Commission. Direct Grants are utilised by Local Governments for any road activities except projects funded under the road project grants category. Category Two National Parks, 25% Strategic & Rottnest Island & Road Project Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & Grants 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives 80% Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Table 3: Annual and Total Funding Allocation Category One Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Year Funding Allocation Category 60% Three ($M) 15% National Parks, Rottnest Island & 2005-06 12,233,000 Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & 2006-07 12,690,591 Category 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections Two & Road Safety 2007-08 Three 13,244,000 25% 10% 82% 15% Road Project Grants Remote 2008-09 13,641,000 Civil 80% Access Roads Construction 2009-10 Category 14,153,000 5% Contractors Strategic & TOTAL Two 65,961,591 Technical Support 25% 25% 3% Main Roads Direct Grants 39% Category One funds three components: 17% Types of Works Funded ■■ Direct Grants Local The types of works funded by direct grants include reconstruction, National Parks, Governments ■■ Road Project Grants resealing, pavement, drainage improvements, preservation Rottnest Island & 36% ■■ Strategic and Technical Support works, shoulder construction, reconstructions, widening, and Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & realignments. 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Remote Civil Access Roads Category One Construction Category 5% Category 60% Strategic & Contractors Two Road Project Three Technical Support 25% 25% 15% Grants 3% Main Roads 80% Direct Grants 39% National Parks, 17% Rottnest Island & Category Kings Park Two Local Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management 25% Governments Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 36% 10% 82% Remote Access Roads 5%
Category One Category 60% Road Project Three Grants 15% 80% Arrive Alive Convoy, 2007 National Parks, Rottnest Island & Category Kings Park Two Bridgeworks & Strategic & 3% Tra c Management 25% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Technical Support 10% 3% 82% Direct Grants Remote 17% Access Roads 5%
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% 82% Remote Access Roads Strategic & Road Project 5% Technical Support Grants 3% 80% Direct Grants 17%
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% 82% Remote Access Roads Road Project 5% Grants 80% National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% Three 15%
Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80% CATEGORY ONE
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Road Project Grants: 80% of Category One Rural RRG Funding MethodologyRemote Civil Access Roads Construction Category ■■ 75% Asset Preservation Model5% Strategic & Contractors Two Technical Support ■■ 25% population factor 25% 25% 3% Main Roads ■■ Minimum allocation of $1 m to a RRG Direct Grants 39% 17% From 2006-07, $2.5 m from the Rural Road Project Grant allocation was set aside to fund roads servicing the timber Local industry (TIRES), aglime routes and for grain logistics. Governments 36% Co-contribution
■■ $2 of road project funds for every $1 of Local Government funds Examples of Road Project Grants undertaken by each RRG are contained within the Regional Road Group snapshot. Category One Category 60% Road Project Three Grants Supplementary Fund 15% 80% ■■ A supplementary fund was established to assist non-metropolitanNational Parks, Rottnest Island & Category Councils in repairing roads affected by abnormal rainfallKings Park Two Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management 25% The Road Project Grants are allocated to the ten RRGs for road ■■ Minimum $4 m within the fundBridge which Inspections comes off the top of the rural road project grants. & Road Safety projects on roads of regional significance. The Roads of Regional 10% 82% Significance are identified by each RRG in their Regional Roads Remote 2025 document. Each RRG has a Policy and Multi Criteria Types of Works FundedAccess Roads 5% Assessment Process to rate eligible projects for road project grant The types of works funded by road project grants include reconstructions, funding. Table 4 outlines the annual allocation of road project resealing, pavement, drainage works, shoulder construction, preservation grants per RRG. works, reconstructions, widening, and realignments.
The Road Project Grant Funding Distribution
■■ 36% to the Metropolitan RRG ■■ 64% to Rural RRGs Strategic & Technical Support 3% Direct Grants 17% Table 4: Approved Budget for Road Project Grant Funds per RRG area ($M) National Parks, Year 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Rottnest IslandTOTAL & Kings Park Bridgeworks & Gascoyne 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 5,000,0003% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections Goldfields-Esperance 2,793,255 2,827,318 3,123,325 3,363,683 3,458,964 15,566,545 & Road Safety 10% 82% Great Southern 2,616,890 2,701,274 3,040,232 3,325,184 3,410,429 15,094,009 Remote Kimberley 1,120,468 1,226,768 1,385,464 1,458,480Access Roads 1,500,295 6,691,475 MetropolitanRoad Project 13,484,880 15,283,080 17,280,000 18,496,440 5% 18,901,728 83,446,128 Grants Midwest 3,076,770 3,180,102 3,544,903 3,903,858 3,967,874 17,673,507 80% Pilbara 1,536,237 1,606,026 1,785,253 1,975,764 2,052,186 8,955,466 South West 4,906,636 5,440,866 6,198,319 6,611,343 6,888,902 30,046,066 Wheatbelt North 4,154,907 4,335,775 4,954,471 5,322,037 5,370,889 24,138,079 Wheatbelt South 2,767,957 2,851,791 3,188,033 3,422,211 3,453,533 15,683,525 Tires/Aglime/Grain Logistics 0.00 2,000,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 9,500,000 TOTAL 37,458,000 42,453,000 48,000,000 51,379,000 52,504,800 231,794,800 National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% Three 15%
Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80%
National Parks, ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDSRottnest TO LOCAL Island & Kings Park Category One GOVERNMENT AGREEMENTBridgeworks 2005/06–2009/10 & 3% 9Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Remote Civil Access Roads Construction Category 5% Strategic & Contractors Two Technical Support 25% 25% 3% Main Roads Direct Grants 39% 17% Local Governments 36%
Road Project Grants Category One Category 60% Road Project Three ProjectGrants Delivery 15% 80% Despite the critical need for project delivery, external constraints National Parks, had an impact on the ability of Local Governments to deliver some Rottnest Island & Category of their road projects. This included the time frame and escalating Kings Park Two Bridgeworks & costs of utility relocations in the road reserve. During this period 3% Tra c Management 25% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety MRWA, WALGA and the Institute of Public Works Engineering 10% 82% Australia (WA Chapter) (IPWEA) engaged with Western Power and Remote Local Government to address this issue. Access Roads 5% Another key impact on road project delivery was the process to obtain permits for the clearing of native vegetation. WALGA continues to work with the Department of Environment and Great Southern RRG Conservation to address this issue. Strategic and Technical Support: The State Road Funds to Local Government Advisory Committee determines an annual allocation for Strategic and Technical 3% of Category One Support for activities including: Strategic & Technical Support ■■ Administrative and technical assistance, and support by 3% MRWA to the RRG’s Direct Grants 17% ■■ Funds to WALGA for municipal infrastructure needs, development, evaluation and research (MINDER) ■■ Transport and Roads Forums National Parks, ■■ Annual Report on Local Government Road AssetsRottnest and Island & Kings Park Expenditure Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management ■■ ROMAN Road Pavement ManagementBridge Inspections System & Road Safety 10% 82% ■■ RoadWise Program Remote ■■ State Gravel Supply StrategyAccess Roads Road Project 5% Grants ■■ The ROADS Foundation (previously REACH) 80%
Table 5: Annual Allocations of Funds for Strategic and Technical Support ($M)
Region 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Gascoyne 25,000 30,000 30,000 40,000 40,000 Goldfields-Esperance 45,000 45,000 45,000 50,000 50,000 Great Southern 45,000 50,000 45,000 50,000 50,000 Kimberley 25,000 25,000 25,000 40,000 40,000 Metropolitan 180,000 195,000 175,000 222,000 222,000 Mid West 45,000 50,000 50,000 52,000 52,000 Pilbara 45,000 50,000 45,000 50,000 50,000 South West 45,000 45,000 45,000 269,000 269,000 Wheatbelt North 45,000 30,000 45,000 50,000 50,000 Wheatbelt South 45,000 50,000 45,000 105,000 105,000 Regional (non-recovered costs) 0 0 0 -378,000 -375,000 Local Government 755,000 730,000 982,000 1,272,000 1,128,000 TOTAL 1,300,000 1,300,000 1,532,000 1,822,000 1,681,000 N.B: ROMAN II was allocated funds of $8.63 m comprising of $7.38 m for development and a further $1.25 m for delivery. CATEGORY ONE
MINDER Key Achievements over the Life of this Agreement ■■ Induction Package for RRG delegates Municipal Infrastructure Needs, Development, ■■ Successful advocacy for depreciation of plant and equipment Evaluation and Research in Roads to Recovery grants Funds are allocated to WALGA for Local Government transport, ■■ Exemptions for road construction and maintenance activities roads, road safety policy, and advocacy. The key focus areas in the Schedules Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native undertaken by WALGA are: Vegetation) Regulations 2004, process improvements within the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) for ■■ Road funding processing permits, and ongoing strong advocacy leading to ■■ Freight management legislative inquiries and reviews ■■ Asset management ■■ State Government responsibility for core bus stop infrastructure in line with the Commonwealth Disability ■■ Road safety Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Standards) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ■■ Establishment of a Local Government Grain Infrastructure Group to co-ordinate Local Government’s response to the State’s Strategic Grain Network Review ensuring consideration of local road infrastructure ■■ Western Power/Local Government Strategic Reference Group established to address systemic issues with Western Power processing of Local Government project ■■ Development of representative Local Government policy positions on a number of issues including: Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy 2008-2020; Warden Controlled Children’s Crossings; Commonwealth investment in public transport; Incremental and Mass Distance Pricing; proposed amendments to the Main Roads Act 1930; seatbelt legislation; WA Road Traffic Bills to ensure appropriate compliance and enforcement arrangements; and Model for WALGA, West Perth Restricted Access Vehicles (RAV) on local roads.
Local Government Grain Freight Workshop, Katanning Local Government Grain Freight Workshop, Merredin ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 11
Report on Local Government Road Assets and ROMAN Road Asset Management System Expenditure Funding Sources:
■■ The Agreement ■■ Local Government user subscription fees ROMAN is a road asset management software system owned by the MRWA and IPWEA Foundation and managed by WALGA. ROMAN is utilised by 131 of the 141 Western Australian Local Governments to manage their road network. ROMAN enables the provision of consolidated data, reports and funding models to update the WA road network.
ROMAN II
Road Asset Management System Replacement WALGA embarked on an ambitious project to replace ROMAN to address increasing functional problems as computer operating systems have been progressively upgraded to Windows XP, Vista and now Windows 7. ROMAN II, the ROMAN replacement project, is funded from the Agreement and is being delivered by WALGA in partnership The report is compiled by WALGA with the ARRB Group. It incorporates two commercial software products; RAMM and DTImms and a comprehensive suite of The annual Report on Local Government Road Assets and support services, customised to WA Local Government needs. Expenditure is published to enable government and the ROMAN II is a more user friendly, functional and effective system. community to determine the source of road funding and the The ongoing funding for the project will be supported by a application of these funds to the upgrade, maintenance and combination of State Road Funds and subscription fees. renewal of the local road network. Information is provided at the local, regional and State level and is used by Councils to:
■■ Understand and monitor over time the road funding requirements of local government at a State, regional and local level ■■ Understand the allocation of funds on Maintenance Renewal Upgrade and Expansion over time ■■ Understand trends relating to road life and replacement cost ■■ Benchmark against other Local Governments and facilitate discussions between Local Governments on how much they are spending on road activities ■■ Support future funding priorities and expenditure mix along with other asset management tools ■■ Brief Councillors and staff on road assets and expenditure ROMAN II Screenshot CATEGORY ONE
RoadWise
■■ Delivers and supports a statewide community road safety network ■■ Manages the Community Road Safety Grants Program ■■ Oversees the Type I Child Car Restraint Fitting Service ■■ Delivers a Local Government Safe System Project ■■ Provides road safety policy, leadership and advocacy activities
ROMAN II Screenshot
Esperance RoadWise Committee
ROMAN II Screenshot: A 3-dimensional representation of the layers that make up a road – the blue is the pavement and the green is the surface. It is segmented by carriageway and treatment lengths
WALGA RoadWise Program Shire of Plantagenet speed display trailer, part of their safety speed strategy, funded through the Community Road Safety Grants Local Government and Community Road Safety Program (WA)
Funding sources:
■■ The Agreement ■■ Road Trauma Trust Fund RoadWise contributes to the long term vision of the Road Safety Council in eliminating road crashes as a major cause of premature death and injury, by increasing community support, partnerships and participation in the implementation of Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy 2008-2020. Broomehill-Tambellup RoadWise Committee – Blessing of the Roads 2009 ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 13
Key Road Safety Achievements of the WALGA ■■ A baseline survey was concluded to ascertain Local RoadWise Program Governments’ capacity to implement the Safe System approach Community Road Safety Network ■■ Workshops were conducted throughout the State to identify enablers and barriers ■■ 11 Regional Road Safety Officers based throughout the State provide support and advice for the network ■■ Work commenced on the development of good practice principles on the application of the Safe System approach ■■ The establishment of a Road Safety Network Database of 3,000 contacts ■■ More than 50% of Local Governments have a formal local The ROADS Foundation road safety committee with 93% meeting regularly ■■ Approximately 1500 promotional and educational activities Funding sources: (presentations, displays, workshops, competitions, etc) were undertaken by the community road safety network annually ■■ The Agreement ■■ MRWA and Local Governments through traineeships Type I Child Car Restraint Fitting Service ■■ Civil Contractors through traineeships and fee for service ■■ Established in 2006 the service provides training and support arrangements for a network of Type I fitters throughout the State ■■ An information line (staffed 9-5 Monday to Friday) and a website was established and maintained to provide ongoing support and information to the fitters’ network and the wider community ■■ 508 people were trained as Type I Fitters in all areas of WA ■■ 9353 restraints were fitted or checked since the establishment of the service
Community Road Safety Grants
■■ The community road safety grants, through support, advice and funding, enable community based road safety activities, aligned to the Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy 2008-2020, to be implemented in all regions of the State ■■ 283 grants were funded over the life of the Agreement to a value of $1,663,115.64 ■■ Over the life of the Agreement there were 99 project grants funded to a value of $778,631.65; 143 sponsorship grants funded to a value of $143,788; 40 speed display trailer grants funded to a value of $739,279.29; and one workplace development grant funded to the value of $1416.70 (sponsorship grants were introduced in July 07-08 and workplace development grants in May 09-10)
Local Government Safe System Project
■■ Commenced in April 2009 to support and encourage the MRWA Trainees, Lancelin to Cervantes Stage 2 (Indian Ocean Drive) uptake of Safe System principles and best practice by Local Governments in a shared responsibility approach for the implementation of Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy 2008- 2020 CATEGORY ONE
National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% The Foundation is comprised of a Chief Executive Officer, Trainee Three Support Coordinator and Employer Support Coordinator. The 15% Foundation is governed by a Board with representatives from Local Government, MRWA, Civil Contractors Federation, Category Department of Education and Training, IPWEA, Association for Two Consulting Engineers and the Building and Construction Training 25% Road Project Fund. Grants 80% Since inception, the Foundation has successfully placed 106 trainees through 7 civil construction contractors, 10 Local Government authorities, and 11 MRWA offices. In 2010 the Foundation was supporting 41 trainees of who 5 are Indigenous, and 2 are female. Thirty three of these trainees were employed by Local Governments. Trainees on the Great Northern Highway Upgrade – Team Savannah (MRWA National Parks, Contractor) Rottnest Island & Figure 4: Percentage if trainees placed with Main Roads Civil Kings Park Construction Contractors and Local Government Category One Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Remote Civil Access Roads Construction Category 5% Strategic & Contractors Two Technical Support 25% 25% 3% Main Roads Direct Grants 39% 17% Local Staff from City of Mandurah undertaking an Existing Worker Traineeship Governments 36% The ROADS Foundation Ltd was established in November 2006 by MRWA and WALGA and commenced operations in April 2007. The Foundation is a not for profit organisation providing training and development opportunities for young people in regional communities across Western Australia. The ROADS Foundation Category One operates as a coordinating/management group. Category 60% Road Project Three Grants The Foundation assists in linking ‘job ready trainees’ with ‘trainee 15% 80% ready’ employers. This is achieved by providing education, National Parks,training and support to both trainees and employers. The Rottnest IslandFoundation & utilises youth support agencies and programs that Category Kings Park Two Bridgeworks & 3% are availableTra c Managementto assist young people in securing training and 25% Bridge Inspections employment.& Road Relationships Safety are developed with Registered 10% Training Organisations82% and Government agencies to streamline Remote the employment and training of new trainees. Access Roads 5% An annual contribution of $190,000 from the Agreement and MRWA enables Local Governments and MRWA to receive assistance from Foundation staff for the placement of trainees within their organisation at no cost. The Foundation also helps civil contractors within the private sector on a fee for service basis.
Strategic & Technical Support 3% Direct Grants 17%
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% 82% Remote Access Roads Road Project 5% Grants 80% National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL 17% 10% 82% 100% GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 Remote 15 Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% Three CATEGORY15% TWO Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80%
National Parks, Traffic Management and Road Safety: Rottnest Island & 82% of Category Two Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & Tra c Management Category 3% 60% National Parks, Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three Strategic & Rottnest Island & 10% 82% 15% Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & Remote Civil 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Access Roads Bridge Inspections Construction CategoryDirect Grants & Road Safety on Local Roads 5% 10% Strategic & Contractors Two17% 82% 100% Technical Support 25% 25% Remote 3% Main Roads Access Roads Direct Grants 39% 5% Category One 17% Category 60% Three Local 15% Governments 36% Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80% Category Two funds traffic management and road safety activities. Category One Category Table 6 outlines the annual allocation60% of funds for traffic Road Project Three Grants management and road15% safety activities. These funds are managed 80% by MRWA on behalf of Local Government for traffic management National Parks, and road safety activities on local roads. Rottnest Island & Category Kings Park Two Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Table 6: Annual Allocation25% of Funds for Traffic Management and Road Safety ($M) National Parks, Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Rottnest Island & 10% 82% Kings Park Category One Lignmarking/ TrafficBridgeworks & Network Recovery Category Remote 3% Tra c Management 60% State Term Roadmarking ControlBridge InspectionsRailway Improvement Over- of Over- Three Access Roads & Road Safety Year Blackspot Network Contracts & Signs Signals 10%Crossings Modifications programming programming 15% 5% 82% 2005-06 10,000,000 4,621,148 1,180,000 1,498,700 1,300,000Remote 2,270,000 -6,672,848 0.00 14,197,000 Civil Access Roads Construction Category 2006-07 10,000,000 5,709,378 1,075,000 1,678,900 1,300,0005% 2,270,000 -5,560,278 0.00 16,473,000 Strategic & Contractors Two Technical2007-08 Support 10,000,000 6,820,000 1,000,000 0.00 2,670,000 4,855,000 -6,312,000 3,867,000 22,900,000 25% 25% 2008-093% 10,000,000 7,478,556 1,000,000 0.00 2,600,000 5,539,000 -4,890,556 5,369,000 27,096,000 Main Roads Direct Grants 39% 2009-10 10,000,00017% 7,490,556 1,200,000 0.00 1,352,000 5,637,000 -2,496,556 8,321,000 31,504,000 TOTAL 50,000,000 32,119,638 5,455,000 3,177,600 9,222,000 20,571,000 -25,932,238 17,557,000 112,170,000 Local Strategic & Governments Technical Support N.B: An over-programming and recovery strategy was adopted by the SAC (during 2007-08) as this sub category was overspent due to insufficient level of funding 36% 3% Direct Grants provided to cover the costs in this area. 17% Funding is allocated within the following sub categories. Lignmarking/Roadmarking & Signs
■■ Addition of new pavement markings/signs after road National Parks, Term Network Category One Rottnest Island & modifications (for projects that are not funded under Black Category 60% Kings Park Road Project ■■ General maintenance of pavement markings/signs Spot or Regional Road programs) Three Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Grants 15% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 80% ■■ Reinstatement of pavement markings after re-seals ■■ Additional pavement markings/signs to address safety issues 10% 82% National Parks, ■■ Modifications to or Rottnestadditional Island pavement & markings due to Category Remote changes in standards Kings Park Two Access Roads Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management 25% Road Project 5% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Grants 10% 82% 80% Remote Access Roads 5%
Strategic & Technical Support 3% Direct Grants 17%
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% 82% Remote Access Roads Road Project 5% Grants 80% CATEGORY TWO
Railway Crossings Network Improvement Modifications
The annual program includes: ■■ Street lights
■■ Around 3 to 5 upgrades such as upgrading the level of ■■ Traffic Control Infrastructure Contract and administration protection at level crossings e.g. from stop/giveway control to including payments to Western Power and Telstra for traffic flashing lights, flashing lights to boom barriers, the addition signal related services of flashing advance warning signs ■■ Minor traffic signal improvements such as the addition of ■■ 15 to 20 renewals such as the renewal of existing flashing pedestrian lanterns lights and boom barriers with the latest technology e.g. LED In addition this area was used as an over programming lights component to balance the sub programs mentioned above. The selection for upgrade projects is on a priority basis involving a Over-expenditure was an issue within components of the field check using the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model, Traffic Management and Road Safety Category. Project/contract a check against Australian Standards and Main Roads Policy/ management decisions by MRWA within their Term Network Guidelines. The renewals program is assessed by the age of the Contracts, led to an over-expenditure of $6 m for this sub- existing equipment and reports of incidents and inspections of category. Also, inadequate budget estimates by Local Government crossings contributed to over-expenditure. The solution adopted to deal Example upgrade projects include Goulds Road, Narngulu with this situation was sourcing funds from other sub-categories. upgraded from stop to flashing lights in 2005. State Black Spot Program
Funding
■■ $10 m per annum for projects on local roads ■■ 50% of the funds for local roads are allocated to metropolitan roads ■■ 50% of the funds for local roads are allocated to rural roads ■■ Funding is allocated to the RRG based on various criteria and all projects must be supported by a benefit Cost Ratio or Road Safety Audit ■■ Local Government contribute funds on a 2:1 (Agreement funds to Local Government Funds) basis to increase the level Goulds Road, Narngulu upgraded from stop to flashing lights in 2005 of expenditure on local roads to $15 m demonstrating a shared responsibility in regard to local road safety The State Black Spot Program improves road safety thus reducing the significant trauma and suffering of crash victims and their loved ones. The program enables the application of funds to a wide range of projects at hazardous locations. SAC developed new Black Spot Guidelines to better link project application with road safety outcomes and facilitate the expediting of projects. The new Guidelines encourage applicants to stage projects into a pre-construction phase focusing on obtaining permits and utility clearances prior to applying for funds for construction works. Western Power gave Black Spot projects priority to accelerate utility relocations through an identifier number within their system. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 17
Table 7 Annual Allocation of Funds for State Black Spot Projects per Region
Region 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 TOTAL Gascoyne 170,517 133,883 130,000 123,719 115,387 673,506 Goldfields-Esperance 750,000 747,370 736,691 752,800 750,000 3,736,861 Great Southern 705,000 699,407 714,528 700,000 705,000 3,523,935 Kimberley 98,800 240,744 204,856 231,306 261,838 1,037,544 Mid West 500,000 500,000 517,279 447,621 454,000 2,418,900 Pilbara 360,000 360,000 360,000 357,000 368,323 1,805,323 Wheatbelt North 690,207 680,043 676,644 695,757 680,000 3,422,651 Wheatbelt South 473,810 466,552 488,136 476,816 480,118 2,385,432 South West 1,251,666 1,172,001 1,171,866 1,177,481 1,185,334 5,958,348 Metropolitan 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 4,962,500 5,000,000 24,962,500 Administrative Support 0.00 0.00 0.00 75,000 0.00 75,000 TOTAL 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 50,000,000 N.B: This table excludes over-programming and recovery of over-programming funds.
Types of Activities Funded The types of activities funded under the Black Spot Program included intersection improvements, roundabout construction and improvements, safety barriers, speed humps, installation and upgrade of median and seagull islands, road widening, raised plateaus, installation of edge-lines, kerbing, streetlight upgrades, separation lines, guide posts, anti-skid treatments, pavement markers, modification and installation of traffic control signals and slip lanes. Table 8 below outlines the number of Black Spot projects undertaken by each region.
Table 8 Annual State Black Spot Projects for Each Region
Region 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 TOTAL Gascoyne 2 3 1 2 1 9 Goldfields-Esperance 13 16 12 12 14 68 Great Southern 17 18 24 18 21 98 Kimberley 2 5 1 4 4 16 Mid West 12 10 4 8 3 37 Pilbara 10 8 3 4 5 30 Wheatbelt North 16 17 12 15 9 69 Wheatbelt South 8 14 10 7 7 46 South West 17 12 15 11 13 68 Metropolitan 78 78 69 50 64 338 TOTAL 175 181 151 131 141 779 National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% CATEGORY10% TWO 82% 100% Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% Three 15%
Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80% Black Spot Program Access Roads to Remote Aboriginal Communities: 5% of Category Two Achievements An evaluation of the State Black Spot Program for calendar years Funding 2003-2004 highlighted a positive safety return on the investment. Research indicates that on average for every $1 dollar invested, National Parks, the program returned $2.8 dollars in safety benefits. The research Rottnest Island & Kings Park Category One also highlighted a 29% reduction in casualty crash frequency over Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Category 60% the period analysed. Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Figure 5 shows the reduction in the number of Black Spot Remote Civil Qualifying Location on Local Roads per 100 million vehicle Access Roads Construction Category kilometres travelled (MVKT) for the last 5 year period. 5% Strategic & Contractors Two Technical Support 25% 25% Figure3% 5: Number of Black Spot Qualifying Locations on Local Main Roads Roads per 100 MVKTDirect (5-year Grants average WA) based on the 39% 17% 5-year Crash Data Period Local Governments 36%
Table 9: Annual funding from the Agreement and Financial Category One Assistance Grants for Roads Servicing Remote Aboriginal Category 60% Road Project Communities ($M) Three Grants 15% 80% National Parks,Financial AgreementRottnest Island Assistant& Category Kings Park Two Year Bridgeworks & Funds Grants Total Funds 3% Tra c Management 25% Bridge Inspections 2005-06 1,496,000 1,773,246& Road Safety3,269,246 10% 82% 2006-07Remote 1,496,000 1,838,666 3,334,666 Access2007-08 Roads 1,496,000 1,918,289 3,414,289 5% 2008-09 1,496,000 2,118,088 3,614,088 2009-10 1,496,000 2,116,666 3,612,666 TOTAL 7,480,000 9,764,955 17,244,955
Table 9 outlines the annual allocation of funds from the Agreement to roads servicing remote Aboriginal communities. The Strategic & Agreement contributes one third of the cost of projects on roads Technical Support servicing remote Aboriginal communities with the remaining two 3% thirds derived from untied Commonwealth Financial Assistance Direct Grants 12 17% Grants for Local Government roads.
Stoneville roundabout, Shire of Mundaring National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 12 Of the remaining two thirds derived from untied Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants for Local Government10% roads, which are distributed by the WA Local Government Grants Commission, one third of 7% of funds is set aside for roads servicing remote Aboriginal communities, with the remaining two thirds allocated to bridge82% projects. Remote Access Roads Road Project 5% Grants 80% National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% Three 15%
Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80% ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 19
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Remote Civil Access Roads Construction Category 5% Strategic & Contractors Two Technical Support 25% 25% 3% Main Roads Direct Grants 39% 17% Summary of Statistics A major issue identified with the funding is available funding Local does not meet road needs and hence road projects generally do Governments 36% ■■ 7886 km of access roads serve remote Indigenous not provide sustainability. communities13 ■■ Agreement funding is available for 5360 km of roads included in Local Government road inventories Local Government Bridges: 10% of Category Two Category One Projects Category 60% Road Project Three Grants Each year grants are provided for approximately 44 roads Funding 15% 80% Significant projects funded over the life of the Agreement include: National Parks, Rottnest Island & Category ■■ Gibb River-Kalumburu Road Kings Park Two Bridgeworks & ■■ Road between Blackstone and Warburton communities 3% Tra c Management 25% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% ■■ Broome-Cape Leveque Road 82% Remote ■■ Tanami Road Access Roads ■■ Great Central Road 5% ■■ Punmu access road ■■ Tjukurla Community access road ■■ Giles – Mulga Park Road ■■ Talawana Track ■■ Kiwirrkurra access road TheStrategic main & work involves improving formation and gravel sheeting. Technical Support An Indigenous3% Roads Committee advises the WA Local Direct Grants Government Grants Commission17% on procedures for determining Table 10: Annual Funding from the Agreement and Financial the allocations of road funds under the joint Funding Program, Assistance Grants for Bridge Works ($M) and recommends the allocations made each year. The Committee is comprised of representatives from: National Parks,Financial AgreementRottnest IslandAssistant & TOTAL ■■ WA Local Government Grants Commission (Chair) Kings Park Year Bridgeworks & Funds GrantsTra c Management FUNDS ■■ WALGA 3% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 2005-06 10% 3,292,000 3,546,492 6,838,492 ■■ MRWA 82% 2006-07Remote 3,293,000 3,675,923 6,968,923 ■■ Department of Indigenous Affairs Access Roads 2007-08 3,293,000 3,836,579 7,129,579 Road Project ■■ Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community 5% Grants Services and Indigenous Affairs 2008-09 3,293,000 4,078,000 7,371,000 80% ■■ Department of Local Government 2009-10 3,293,000 4,302,000 7,595,000 Aboriginal access roads are at a stage of development where TOTAL 16,464,000 19,438,994 35,902,994 improvements are needed each year over almost their entire length to keep them in a reasonable trafficable condition. The Committee Table 10 outlines the annual allocation of funds from the Agreement established funding criteria based on factors including the number to bridge activities. The Agreement contributes one third of the cost of of Indigenous people served by a road, the distance of a community projects on roads servicing remote Aboriginal communities with the from a sealed road, the condition of the road, the proportion of traffic remaining two thirds derived from untied Commonwealth Financial serving Indigenous communities and the availability of alternative Assistance Grants for Local Government roads.14 access. These criteria have provided a rational method of assessing priorities in developing a five-year program.
13 “Access Roads to Remote Aboriginal Communities,” 1992, Main Roads WA 14 Of the remaining two thirds derived from untied Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants for Local Government roads, which are distributed by the WA Local Government Grants Commission, two thirds of 7% of funds is set aside for bridges with the remaining one third allocated towards roads servicing remote Aboriginal communities. National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% Three 15%
Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80%
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Remote Civil CATEGORYAccess Roads TWO Construction Category 5% Strategic & Contractors Two Technical Support 25% 25% 3% Main Roads Direct Grants 39% 17% Local Governments 36%
Summary of Statistics The Committee receives recommendations from MRWA on the priorities of projects submitted for funding by Local Governments. There are around 940 Local Government bridges in Western Australia, Category One MRWA has an ongoing program of inspecting and evaluating Category 60% Road Project most of which are timber. Many of these are old and require the condition of Local Government bridges and has the expertise Three Grants substantial funding to keep them serviceable. Funds are provided to assess priorities and make recommendations on remedial 15% 80% each year for their upkeep. Most funds are for the preservation works measures. but where necessary funds are provided for improvement of existing National Parks, Category The program is approvedRottnest by the Grants Island &Commission and bridges and also for construction of new bridges. Kings Park Two Bridgeworks & submitted to MRWA which then3% seeks approvalTra c of Management the State 25% Bridge Inspections Projects Minister for the State fund component of the program.& Road Safety 10% 82% Each year grants are provided for about 36 projects. TheRemote Bridgeworks and Bridge Inspections component, which isAccess managed Roads by MRWA on behalf of Local Government, also Types of projects include: experienced5% under-expenditure issues. To help reduce under- ■■ Specific maintenance and refurbishment aimed at preserving expenditure, feedback from Local Government and MRWA pointed the bridge to a need for more prompt completion and reporting of bridge inspections by MRWA; and increasing the capacity and technical ■■ Replacement of an existing bridge where it has reached the capability of Local Government staff, mostly in preparing and end of its economic life managing contracts. ■■ Where a bridge is replaced with a new bridge, the new structure must be of a similar geometric standard to the Strategicexisting & bridge e.g. a single lane bridge is replaced with a National Parks/DEC/Rottnest Island/Kings Technicalsingle Support lane bridge. Replacement may include minor upgrading Park: 3% of Category Two 3%and widening [up to one metre] to meet current design and Direct Grants safety standards 17% Funding ■■ Where widening greater than one metre is required to meet current design standards or to satisfy Local Government policies, the additional cost of the widening will be met by National Parks, Rottnest Island & the Local Government Kings Park Bridgeworks & Tra c Management ■■ A bridge that has reached the end of its economic life may 3% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety be replaced with a culvert or a floodway where engineering 10% 82% investigations show this is the best solution Remote A Bridge Committee advises the Grants Commission on priorities Access Roads 5% Road Project for allocating funds for the Joint Program for Local Government Grants 80% bridges. Committee membership is comprised of representatives from:
■■ MRWA ■■ WALGA ■■ WA Local Government Grants Commission (Chair) ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 21
Table 11: Annual Funding Allocation to Rottnest Island, DEC, ■■ Servicing existing MOU arrangements with Local Governments and Kings Park who maintain DEC roads ■■ Benefits in terms of improved road safety Year Allocation ■■ Financial benefits in terms of reduced road maintenance in ($M) the future 2005-06 2,257,000 This extensive mainly unsealed and often remote road network 2006-07 2,256,000 services the needs of DEC, the community, and the tourism and timber industries. Managing this road network is difficult in 2007-08 2,256,000 relation to prioritising the increasing number of maintenance and 2008-09 1,256,000 upgrade requirements when considering the safety of the road 2009-10 1,256,000 user, liability risk and constantly deteriorating roads. Total 9,281,000 DEC has developed a road network hierarchy and asset management approach to assist in prioritising works.
Under the Agreement, SAC has discretion to make an annual Example of Works Undertaken and Completed from allocation of funds towards road activities by DEC and the Rottnest Island and Kings Park Authorities. Table 11 illustrates the 2005-06 to 2009-10 in National Parks annual funding allocated from the Agreement towards these road ■■ Patch gravelling activities. ■■ Upgrade roads for safe and weather access DEC has an extensive network of roads on estates it manages: ■■ Re-formation and upgrading of visitor access roads ■■ 70,000 km of roads and tracks ■■ Patch gravelling, re-sheeting and stoning of creek crossings ■■ 36,915 km identified to have high strategic value to ■■ Preliminary works in preparation for new car parks community, industry and DEC management activities ■■ Engineer assessments and reports Agreement funds are allocated to works across metropolitan and regional WA. The majority of funds are used for developing new ■■ Upgrading and sealing roads or upgrading existing road assets with the remainder used ■■ Basic maintenance and safety works on DEC estate for routine maintenance. Types of activities include re-formation, ■■ Water bores investigations and road upgrades upgrades, re-sheeting, routine grading and maintenance, road edging, reinstatements, patch gravelling, drainage and culverts, ■■ Improvement of the sightlines and installation of safety barriers bride upgrades, regulatory signs and resealing. ■■ Grading, rolling, culvert maintenance, drainage works, patch The allocation process for funds is managed by DEC, derived from re-sheeting and signage across the districts applications received annually from each of their nine regions. ■■ Improve scenic drives The projects are assessed using the following criteria: ■■ Road grading, sealing, drainage, and backhoe work to clear ■■ Amelioration of road user risks and high priority maintenance and replace culverts discovered through the recent DEC road data collection ■■ Repairs to road edging and reinstatement of road shoulders initiative ■■ Repairs to road collapse ■■ Strategic importance in terms of facilitating public access, particularly to heavily visited areas ■■ Design of bridge decking and walkways ■■ Consistency with existing regional and area management ■■ Construction of car parks plans ■■ Various bridge locations across district – bridge replacement ■■ Compatibility with MRWA Regional Road Strategies where and repairs applicable ■■ Replace one bridge to maximum capacity, including replacing ■■ Compatibility with DEC management objectives stringers, deck and railings ■■ Realignment of intersections ■■ Survey new alignment of roads ■■ Collection of road data for asset management purposes CATEGORY TWO
Example Project: Purnululu National Park Over the past five years the unsealed roads that access the Purnululu National Park, which covers nearly 240,000 hectares in the Kimberley, have been progressively upgraded for visitors and tourist operators to experience a more pleasant and safer journey. The seasonal access to the park is via 53 km of unpaved track and is suitable only for four-wheel drive vehicles to navigate the many rugged creek and river crossings. The trend for more remote adventure tours has grown significantly and as the Purnululu experience is highly rated on the places in to visit in Australia, DEC has focused to improve the condition of the access to this iconic National Park. Ten years ago, the 53 km took up to nine hours to complete and the slightest rainfall event would close the Park for weeks. The journey now takes approximately 90 minutes Spring Creek Track – mid-way with an average speed of 40km/h. In the first six months of the Park opening, over 5,000 light vehicles and over 1,000 tourist buses have traversed this road. Access to and within the Purnululu National Park has benefited with over $1.133 m from the Agreement focusing on improving the road formation and drainage, paving the road surfaces with suitable gravel where necessary, and stabilising the many floodways and creek crossings which previously were a high maintenance burden. A standardised road width and running surface is the long term goal, which will result in a safer and more pleasant experience, with the added benefit of lessening the existing maintenance costs in such a remote and erodible environment in a dramatic climate.
Spring Creek Track – near Great Northern Highway
DEC Estate Spring Creek Track near Great Northern Highway Road heading into Cathedral Gorge National Parks, Strategic & Rottnest Island & Technical Support Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Access Roads 5% Category One Category 60% Three 15%
Category Two 25% Road Project Grants 80%
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 National Parks, 23 Rottnest Island & Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Three 10% 82% 15% Remote Civil CATEGORY THREE Access Roads Construction Category 5% Strategic & Contractors Two Technical Support 25% 25% 3% Main Roads Direct Grants 39% 17% Local Governments 36%
Funds are for projects that are generally beyond the capacity of one Local Government to fund or deliver where the main function Category One of the road is significant regional transport purposes, such, as Category 60% mining operations, tourism routes or inter-regional movement Road Project Three or is delivered through a State Agreement. These projects are 15% Grants generally large and complex and are delivered by MRWA. 80% National Parks, Significant State initiative projects over the life of the Agreement Rottnest Island & Category Kings Park Two include: Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management 25% ■■ Bridge Inspections & Road Safety Jalbarragup Road – New Bridge over Blackwood River 10% 82% ■■ Mowen Road – construct and seal 7m wide Remote Access Roads ■■ Old Coast Road – construct a bridge over the Collie River 5% State Initiatives on Local Roads: 100% of ■■ Carnarvon-Mullewa Road – construct and seal to 7.0m National Parks, ■■ Useless Loop Road – recondition formation and gravel Strategic & Rottnest Island & Category Three Technical Support Kings Park ■■ Bridgeworks & Great Central Road – improve formation and gravel 3% 3% Tra c Management State Initiatives Direct Grants Bridge Inspections & Road Safety on Local Roads ■■ Broome-Cape Leveque Road – various improvements 17% 10% 82% 100% Remote Example Project: Collie River Bridge Access Roads Strategic & 5% The Collie River Bridge project on the Old Coast RoadCategory in the One Shire Technical Support of Harvey is typical of a State initiativeCategory on local roads 60%project. Three 3% The project was officially opened on 15 April 2010 at a cost of Direct Grants 15% 17% $21.8 m. The project brought significant roadCategory safety and transport efficiency benefits to the local community and Twoindustry ensuring the vital National Parks, 25% Road Project Rottnest Island & route between Bunbury and the communities of Eaton and Grants Kings Park Australind was sustained into the future. Bridgeworks & 80% 3% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% 82% Remote Access Roads Road Project 5% Table 12: Annual Funding Allocation for State Works on Grants Local Roads 80% National Parks, Rottnest Island & Year Funding Allocation Kings Park Category One Bridgeworks & ($M) 3% Tra c Management Category 60% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 2005-06 14,745,000 Three 10% 82% 15% 2006-07 14,111,000 Remote Civil Access Roads 2007-08 Construction 15,646,000 Category 5% Contractors Strategic & 2008-09 16,663,000 Two Technical Support 25% 25% 3% 2009-10 17,037,200 Main Roads Collie River Bridge Direct Grants 39% 17% TOTAL 78,202,200 Local Governments 36%
Category One Category 60% Road Project Three Grants 15% 80% National Parks, Rottnest Island & Category Kings Park Two Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management 25% Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% 82% Remote Access Roads 5%
Strategic & Technical Support 3% Direct Grants 17%
National Parks, Rottnest Island & Kings Park Bridgeworks & 3% Tra c Management Bridge Inspections & Road Safety 10% 82% Remote Access Roads Road Project 5% Grants 80% CATEGORY ONE: SNAPSHOT OF ROAD PROJECT AND BLACK SPOT GRANTS
Regional Road Groups Snapshot of Activities
The following information provides a snapshot of each RRG, an example road project and an example Black Spot project undertaken over the life of the Agreement. A map indicating the location of the road project grants for each RRG illustrates the breath of activities funded during this period. The maps were produced by MRWA and WALGA would like to acknowledge the work that went into their production.
Map outlining the boundaries of the ten RRGs ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 25
CATEGORY ONE: SNAPSHOT GASCOYNE RRG OF ROAD PROJECT AND BLACK SPOT GRANTS
Gascoyne Regional Road Group How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Facilitating road transport for the mining, agricultural and tourism industry ■■ Guaranteed funding to maintain and renew roads ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides for all road users
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ Road asset preservation and associated road liabilities ■■ Lack of funding to maintain and preserve the road network ■■ The reconstruction of roads 30 to 50 years old to accommodate increased usage and weight and the associated issues with geometric design and drainage: reconstruction not only involves rebuilding the pavement, but also grade modification and drainage reconstruction Source: Roads 2025 (2007). ■■ Access to gravel
Example Road Project Local Carnarvon, Exmouth, Shark Bay, Governments Upper Gascoyne. Shire of Exmouth: Yardie Creek Road Length of Sealed ...... 373 Yardie Creek Road provides sealed access to the west coast Roads (km) Gravel ...... 1,101 of Cape Range up to Yardie Creek and services various beach Formed ...... 2,229 accesses and the Cape Range National Park. Unformed ...... 547 Total ...... 4,249 The road required continued bitumen resealing and widening. (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government The main project aimed at upgrading and widening Yardie Road Assets & Expenditure) Creek Road to Type 4 standard with improved geometric design, drainage, road width and surface treatments. General Population 12,645 (Source: LG Directory 2009). maintenance works included:
■■ Maintenance grading Major Industries Serviced by Local Roads ■■ Compaction/water binding ■■ Freight ■■ Drainage and head wall maintenance ■■ Mining ■■ Bitumen edge seal repairs ■■ Horticulture ■■ Agriculture ■■ Tourism ■■ Fishing ■■ Construction ■■ Environmental research Example Black Spot Project
Shire of Exmouth: Murat Road A road safety audit of Murat Road identified the street lighting was insufficient to offer any benefit to motorists. The poor illumination meant many intersections were in darkness and not highlighted for traffic. While a portion of the pedestrian and cycle path had suitable lighting for pedestrians and cyclists, a large section was not illuminated. In addition, the pavement condition along Murat Rd showed signs of flushing and polishing. With a number of the recorded crashes along this section being out of control type crashes, it was Murat Road looking north from Welch Street, Exmouth considered the surface condition could be a contributing factor. Black Spot funding contributed to the installation of street lighting along Murat Street from Welch Street to Pelias Street; and a continuation of the median strip street lighting from Pelias Street to Maidstone Crescent North. This work now provides good illumination in accordance to Australian Standards AS1158. Black Spot funding also enabled the skid surface resistance of Murat Road to be maintained at a level above 45BPN in accordance with Australian Standards AS4049.2. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 27
GOLDFIELDS- ESPERANCE RRG
Goldfields-Esperance Regional Road Group How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Supporting the mining industry ■■ Servicing grain transport, in the southern region local roads utilised to cart farm product to the Esperance Port ■■ Communities are wide spread; funding provides a safer road network allowing people to access amenities of nearby towns
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ The variability of where resources are discovered and length of operations: mining industry resources open and close on a regular basis dependant on the resource market meaning a road may be significantly upgraded then the mine closes 18 months later and reopens two years on making it difficult to plan works ■■ As efficiencies are required, the heavy vehicle configurations and weights increase and are required to be used on roads Source: Roads 2025 (2007). that were not originally constructed to cater for that particular type of traffic ■■ The availability of suitable road building material: this Local Coolgardie, Dundas, Esperance, Kalgoorlie- resource is difficult to find and obtain in the region and often Governments Boulder, Laverton, Leonora, Menzies, requires roads to be built with a lower quality material or Ngaanyatjarraku, Wiluna. quality material carted significant distances at extra cost Length of Sealed ...... 1,437 ■■ Inadequate funding to maintain and preserve the road Roads (km) Gravel ...... 6,689 network Formed...... 4,211 Unformed ...... 5,372 Total ...... 17,709 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 56,766 (Source: LG Directory 2009).
Major Industries that use Local Roads
■■ Mining ■■ Agriculture ■■ Timber ■■ Wool ■■ Livestock ■■ Fishing ■■ Tourism Fisheries Road, South of Myrup Example Road Project Grant Example Black Spot Project
Shire of Esperance: Fisheries Road Shire of Esperance: Cascades Road and South Coast Highway Intersection Fisheries Road, Esperance is approximately 196 km long with the first 117 km a designated regional distributor road and the next Cascades Road provides a major grain and livestock transport 79 km designated as a local distributor road. This area contains the service to the agricultural areas north-west of Esperance. It is Condingup townsite, Le Grande National Park, Cape Arid National also a tourist and school bus route and provides expedient access Park and major feeder roads for grain and timber haulage from east between Lake King and Esperance. The South Coast Highway of the Esperance townsite through to the local port. links the Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern regions and provides a freight and tourist route to the eastern states. It is The road was widened, reconstructed, resealed and realigned also a vital link servicing existing and proposed mines such as to allow a safe travel environment for the considerable number the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation; provides access between of local users and tourists alike. This has improved the safety Esperance and Ravensthorpe; and is a strategic freight, tourist and efficiency of the road and reduced transport costs associated and inter-town route. with the movement of agricultural produce and commodities. The upgrade also facilitated and encouraged further tourism The intersection was upgraded to a right turn type B with 0.5m development. sealed shoulders and widened turning radii to accommodate road trains. In addition, Moonanup Road intersection 50m west of Cascades Road was incorporated into the design.
Fisheries Road and Merivale Road looking west
Cascades Road-South Coast Highway intersection ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 29
GREAT SOUTHERN RRG
Great Southern Regional Road Group How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Allows the combined preservation and improvement of major roads when they reach the end of their pavement life ■■ Upgraded roads make the region a more attractive and safe destination for tourists as well as providing an appropriate standard of road for the woodchip and rural industries ■■ Facilitating road transport for timber, agricultural products and tourism ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ Roads were typically built to a lesser standard in the past which are not up to current standards in both geometry and pavement standards ■■ Major sealed roads nearing the end of pavement lives Source: Roads 2025 (2007). ■■ Increasing demand for gravel roads to be sealed
Local Albany, Broomehill-Tambellup, Cranbrook, Example Road Project Governments Denmark, Gnowangerup, Jerramungup, Katanning, Kent, Kojonup, Plantagenet, City of Albany: Frenchman Bay Road Ravensthorpe, Woodanilling. The City of Albany undertook two combined preservation and Length of Sealed ...... 2,798 improvement projects on Frenchman Bay road over this 5 year Roads (km) Gravel ...... 7,617 period covering a length of 6 km. The work involved the complete Formed...... 1,678 reconstruction of the road, which was in poor condition, involving Unformed ...... 422 new shape and alignment to Austroads standards. Total...... 12,514 Full design documentation was produced for the project, and (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road significant consultation was undertaken with DEC on the native Assets & Expenditure). vegetation clearing required to accommodate the improved alignment. The result is a safe road for local residents and the Population 57,810 (Source: LG Directory 2009). significant number of tourists that visit this part of the Great Southern region. Major Industries that use Local Roads
■■ Wood chipping ■■ Farming ■■ Fishing ■■ Wool ■■ Tourism ■■ Mineral sands Example Black Spot Project
City of Albany: Hunwick Road and Hennings Road The City of Albany received State Black Spot funding to upgrade the intersection of Hunwick Road and Hennings Road. The intersection was a badly defined Y junction with poor alignment and site distance problems. The project realigned Hennings Road to create a well defined T junction with improved site lines. The intersection was sealed, and the existing seal that stopped prior to the Hennings Road intersection was extended. The intersection now provides a safe environment for all road users.
Frenchman Bay Road
Hunwick Road, City of Albany
Frenchman Bay Road ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 31
KIMBERLEY RRG
Kimberley Regional Road Group How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Supporting the pastoral, mining and tourism industries ■■ The construction of new roads critical to the ongoing development of the region ■■ Linking rural residential communities to towns on sealed roadways reducing vehicle maintenance costs ■■ Linking Aboriginal communities with major centres through increased length of sealed access road ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ Wet season rains on unsealed roads ■■ Long distances and expansive nature of the network ■■ High volume of tourist traffic in the dry season ■■ The need for local people to access towns year round putting Source: Roads 2025 (2007). pressure road networks ■■ Emerging Aboriginal tourist developments generating increased traffic flows Local Broome, Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, ■■ Mining developments generate considerable additional traffic Governments Wyndham-East Kimberley. such as contractors, supply vehicles and employees Length of Sealed ...... 470 Roads (km) Gravel ...... 1,569 Formed ...... 1,527 Unformed ...... 1,407 Total ...... 4,973 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 38,244 (Source: LG Directory 2009).
Major Industries that use Local Roads
■■ Pastoral ■■ Aboriginal communities ■■ Mining ■■ Horticulture Example Road Project
Shire of Broome: Coconut Wells rural residential community The Shire of Broome undertook approximately 4.7 km of full road construction using Roads Project Grant and other funds to complete the bitumen seal of the road connecting the Coconut Wells rural residential community with Broome. This project was spread over 4 financial years from 2006-07 to 2010-11 and has only recently been completed. McGuigan Road, Shire of Broome The existing road consisted entirely of natural pindan (no gravel) which had gradually worn down through maintenance grading, traffic, wind and water erosion deep into the parent soil to Example Black Spot Project become a drainage channel in the wet season. It was slippery, boggy and flooded during the wet season and dusty, corrugated Shire of Broome: Hamersley Street and Frederick Street and sandy during the dry season. Intersection Planning involved detailed survey, rural road design, drainage The Shire of Broome undertook a project at the intersection of floodway design, service locations and vegetation clearance permits. Hamersley Street and Frederick Street in central Broome. This was a “give-way” controlled four-way intersection with certain turning Improvements included clearing, formation work, pavement movements banned. It was the town’s worst crash site with 35 construction, priming and sealing, drainage and guideposts. A crashes recorded in the five years to December 2007. It was floodway was constructed at the lowest section to allow drainage identified that many drivers, especially tourists, risked making from larger rainfall events to cross the road at its natural flow path. illegal turns at the intersection, which clearly indicated a demand The new road is sealed 7.0m wide on a 9.0m formation width. for the previously banned turning movements. Until December 2007 the intersection was the major heavy vehicle route through Broome and needed to cater for right hand turns for triple road trains. This changed in December 2007 when MRWA completed Gubinge Road providing a heavy vehicle route function and a bypass for central Broome previously fulfilled by Frederick Street. Consequently, the Hamersley Street and Frederick Street intersection only needed to accommodate general, non-permit, traffic. A new roundabout was installed at the intersection and is operating successfully.
McGuigan Road, Shire of Broome
McGuigan Road, Shire of Broome Frederick Street and Hamersley Street roundabout ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 33
METROPOLITAN RRG
Metropolitan Regional Road Group (MRRG) Example Road Project
City of Swan: Hepburn Avenue Local Armadale, Bassendean, Bayswater, Belmont, Governments Cambridge, Canning, Claremont, Cockburn, The section (stage 1) of Hepburn Avenue subject to funding Cottesloe, East Fremantle, Fremantle, is from Alexander Drive to Beechboro Road North, a distance Gosnells, Joondalup, Kalamunda, Kwinana, of approximately 5 km. It was funded through the MRRG at a Melville, Mosman Park, Mundaring, cost of approx $9.6 m. The road provides significant relief to Nedlands, Peppermint Grove, Perth, major arterial roads in the area, specifically Alexander Drive, Rockingham, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, South Reid Highway and Beach Road and provides flow-on benefits by Perth, Stirling, Subiaco, Swan, Victoria Park, relieving congestion on other roads in the area and improving Vincent, Wanneroo. access to the Malaga industrial estate. Hepburn Avenue has been shown on the Metropolitan Region Scheme for many years. Length of Sealed ...... 11,986 Detailed planning started in the mid 1990s, but the construction Roads (km) Gravel ...... 250 would not have been possible without funding from MRRG. It Formed ...... 54 is anticipated that traffic volumes on this road will be 16,000 Unformed ...... 28 vehicles per day by 2011. Total ...... 12,317 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 1,545,222 (Source: LG Directory 2009).
Main Commercial and residential traffic. Transport Tasks
Major Industries that use Local Roads
■■ Commercial and residential traffic
How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development The official opening of the Hepburn Avenue Stage 1 by City of Swan Mayor ■■ Supporting the transport needs of light and heavy industry Charlie Zannino and the Transport Minister, Hon Simon O’Brien MLC into and across the metropolitan region ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ The competing needs of alternative transport modes (i.e. cyclists, pedestrians, public transport) and passenger vehicles ■■ The inability to obtain clearing permits for native vegetation in a timely fashion ■■ The cost and time taken to relocate utilities in the road reserve delaying road projects ■■ Congestion ■■ Use of appropriate road safety treatments ■■ Adequate funding for works Example Black Spot Project
Shire of Mundaring: Phillips Road Phillips Road, Mundaring was funded through the State Black Spot Program under a road safety audit initiative. The road safety audit identified inappropriate horizontal and vertical curvature for the section of road and poor sight distance at the intersection of Yacopetti Place. The funding enabled correction of the horizontal and vertical curves to meet standards; and improved sight distances from the intersecting road.
New roundabout at Stoneville Road and Riley Road intersection
Phillips Road
Shire of Mundaring: Stoneville Road and Riley Road intersection, Stoneville The Stoneville Road and Riley Road intersection was funded through the State Black Spot Program to address a dangerous New roundabout at Stoneville Road and Riley Road intersection 4-way intersection which had offset entry angles and vertical grade sightline issues. It was the sight of a fatality and had a history of cars overshooting the intersection and landing in a nearby creek. Funding enabled the construction of an offset roundabout and guardrail.
New roundabout at Stoneville Road and Riley Road intersection ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 35
MID WEST RRG
Mid West Regional Road Group Major Industries Serviced by Local Roads ■■ Mining ■■ Fishing ■■ Agricultural ■■ Tourism
How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Supporting the mining and pastoral industries ■■ Enabling un-sealed and single lane sealed roads to be upgraded allowing for the safe movement of passenger and commercial vehicles ■■ Providing employment for local communities ■■ Improving access and safe commuting routes to tourist areas ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides
Source: Roads 2025 (2007). The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ Increasing heavy vehicle access on local roads Local Carnamah, Chapman Valley, Coorow, Cue, ■■ Increased mining activity impacting on pavement life Governments Geraldton-Greenough, Irwin, Meekatharra, ■■ Narrow seals and narrow road reserves for current and future Mingenew, Morawa, Mount Magnet, traffic needs Mullewa, Murchison, Northampton, Perenjori, Sandstone, Three Springs, Yalgoo. ■■ Funding not commensurate with network needs
Length of Sealed ...... 2,723 Roads (km) Gravel ...... 7,516 Formed ...... 5,202 Unformed ...... 2,189 Total ...... 17,630 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 51,527 (Source: LG Directory 2009). Example Road Project
Shire of Morawa: Morawa-Yalgoo Road The road project funding contributed to the construction of new 4 m bitumen seal along 6 km of the Morawa-Yalgoo Road providing improved and direct access between the Morawa and Yalgoo communities.
Morawa-Yalgoo Road
Morawa-Yalgoo Road
Morawa-Yalgoo Road ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 37
PILBARA RRG
Pilbara Regional Road Group Major Industries Serviced by Local Roads ■■ Tourists ■■ Mining ■■ Pastoral
How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Continued upgrading of access to remote Aboriginal Communities ■■ Guaranteed funding allows improvement works and re- sheeting projects to be continued year to year ■■ Supporting the transport needs of the mining and pastoral industries ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region Source: Roads 2025 (2007). ■■ Increased mining development and additional tonnage of heavy vehicles impacting on pavement life
Local Ashburton, East Pilbara, Port Hedland, ■■ The impact of additional traffic (both heavy and light) on the Governments Roebourne. network ■■ Funding not adequate to needs Length of Sealed ...... 568 Roads (km) Gravel ...... 2,590 Formed ...... 2,295 Unformed ...... 1,044 Total ...... 6,497 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 50,094 (Source: LG Directory 2009). Example Road Project Grants Shire of Roebourne: Mof Road and King Bay Road intersection Shire of Ashburton: Roebourne Wittenoom Road This is a heavy haulage route servicing the Dampier Port Authority Due to the length of the road, various projects were undertaken wharf built in very steep and unforgiving terrain. The risk of to improve serviceability to road users. The majority of works loose road shoulders, a non-continuous guard rail, driver error or included resheeting, formation improvements, widening, shoulder vehicle failure could lead to a catastrophic event. Additionally, clearing and stabilisation of floodways. the intersection with King Bay Road is unlit and very difficult to read amongst adjacent support industry lighting. Funding enabled Shire of East Pilbara: Woodie Woodie Road sealing of road shoulders and installation of street lighting at the intersection. The outcome is improved visibility of the intersection The road project grants funded a variety of the works dependent and enhanced recovery time for drivers in the event of deviating upon the section of road identified to be maintained in a specific from the road. year. The majority of works included improvements to formation, drainage and resheeting. Shire of East Pilbara: Parnpajinya Community access road Example Black Spot Projects Pedestrians were at risk when crossing Great Northern Highway between the Parnpajinya Aboriginal Community and the Newman Town of Port Hedland: Murdoch Drive and North Circular townsite particularly at night. Funding enabled installation of two additional street lights, post and rail fencing with mesh infill, and Road intersection (South Hedland) two sections of cast insitu concrete footpaths. The outcome is The existing intersection had poor lighting, lack of intersection predictable channelling of pedestrian movements to one preferred advanced warning signs, and poor intersection design. Funding safe location and improved visibility at the crossing point. enabled the installation of improved signage; additional lighting; guide posts at the intersection and on the road bend on North Shire of Ashburton: Paraburdoo school precinct (De Grey Circular Road approaching the intersection; reflective road Road) markers; and design improvements to include left hand turn lanes. The outcome of the project is the reduction in accidents at The issue in the school precinct was incorrect signage, lack of this intersection and improved visibility of the intersection. complete paths, lack of pedestrian ramps and inadequate parking facilities. Funding enabled construction of shared paths, widening the footpath in De Grey Road, provision of pedestrian access ramps, improved car park, and modifications to the embayment and verge. The outcome is improved safety and access to the school precinct for all users.
Murdoch Drive and North Circular Road intersection ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 39
SOUTH WEST RRG
South West Regional Road Group Major Industries Serviced by Local Roads ■■ Timber ■■ Dairy ■■ Wine ■■ Tourism ■■ Agriculture
How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Supporting the transport needs of agricultural industries ■■ Enabling un-sealed and single lane sealed roads to be upgraded allowing for safe movement of passenger and commercial vehicles
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ Land development and an increase in commercial vehicles in rural areas for sand and gravel cartage ■■ Tourism issues as motorists expect to drive on a two lane sealed road whilst travelling to/from wineries and points of interest ■■ Obtaining permits to clear native vegetation to undertake road activities ■■ The time and cost to relocate utilities delaying road project activities ■■ Lack of funding to undertake activities Source: Roads 2025 (2007).
Local Augusta-Margaret River, Boddington, Governments Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Bunbury, Busselton, Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Mandurah, Manjimup, Murray, Nannup, Waroona.
Length of Sealed ...... 5,557 Roads (km) Gravel ...... 3,861 Formed ...... 711 Unformed ...... 174 Total ...... 10,303 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 224,178 (Source: LG Directory 2009). Example Road Project Example Black Spot Project
Shire of Busselton: Payne Road Shire of Busselton: Dunn Bay Road This project predominately upgraded a sealed rural road from The Dunn Bay Road project was undertaken to reduce pedestrian 3.5m to 6.2m with suitable gravel shoulders to better suit traffic and vehicle conflicts in a busy retail area in Dunsborough used by needs and substantially improve the safety of road users. local residents and visitors. The works related to the installation of raised plateau crossings, one in front of the Dunsborough Post Payne Road catered for approximately 280 vehicles per day with Office and another in front of the Centrepoint Shopping Centre. 16% being heavy vehicles. Although this road was not endorsed as a designated multi-combination vehicle (MCV) route it was The works removed seven parking bays and installed raised used as an important connection into the southern wine region crossings using a 100mm thick asphalt plateau matched into a including the Margaret River wine and tourist region. custom kerb profile. The result is a safe environment that copes well with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic. As part of the project, the Shire undertook a flora assessment. Funding enabled the upgrade of 2.44 km of road to a 6.2m sealed road, widened to 7.0m on curves with 1.0m gravel shoulders. The benefits to road users are vast. The road has legalised access for MVCs to wineries in the immediate vicinity, the southern wine region and the Margaret River wine region. The upgrade has significantly reduced the travel distances and times for MCVs. Other transport services have benefited from this upgrade including extractive industries, agriculture and general bulk transport. The widening of the roadway to 6.2m has allowed all traffic to traverse this section of road on a predictable road surface in all weather conditions.
Dunn Bay Road – Post Office Crossing (before works)
Dunn Bay Road Crossing – Post Office Crossing (after works) ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 41
WHEATBELT NORTH RRG
Wheatbelt North Regional Road Group How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Enabling strategic road links remain open at all times in a suitable condition to ensure sustainable, effective & efficient transport networks to foster commercial enterprise and safe domestic (non-commercial) use ■■ Supporting the transport needs of agricultural industries ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ Lack of funds to address current backlog of road maintenance/ preservation and required improvements e.g. re-alignments for user safety ■■ The potential closure of Narrow Gauge Railway lines. This will see substantial increases in grain carted over the road network by larger combination trucks on roads not originally designed or capable of handling such loads. This will have a Source: Roads 2025 (2007). significant adverse impact on the effective life of the running surface of a road and will increase the chances of pavement failures Local Chittering, Cunderdin, Dalwallinu, ■■ Many roads were built over 40 years ago and were not Governments Dandaragan, Dowerin, Gingin, Goomalling, engineered for the types of combination trucks that operate Kellerberrin, Koorda, Merredin, Moora, today. Whilst alignments (geometry) may be suitable and Mount Marshall, Mukinbudin, Northam, pavement widths may fall within the respective Restricted Nungarin, Tammin, Toodyay, Trayning, Access Vehicles (RAV) classification, the road pavement Victoria Plains, Westonia, Wongan-Ballidu, strength is questionable Wyalkatchem, Yilgarn, York. ■■ Greater pressure on local government to upgrade road Length of Sealed ...... 6,197 classifications (RAV network) to allow heavier vehicle Roads (km) Gravel ...... 11,771 combinations Formed ...... 5,014 ■■ Ability to obtain permits to clear native vegetation to Unformed ...... 810 undertake road works Total ...... 23,793 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 44,946 (Source: LG Directory 2009).
Major Industries that use Local Roads
■■ Agriculture ■■ Wool ■■ Mining ■■ Fishing Black Spot Project After
Shire of Cunderdin: Wilding Road and Dowerin-Meckering Road intersection The Shire of Cunderdin realigned the Wilding Road and Dowerin- Meckering Road intersection to a T junction. The previous intersection was configured as a fly-on allowing vehicles entering the Dowerin-Meckering Road from Wilding Road to maintain speed, which increased the risk of serious crashes. The photos below show the improved junction bringing drivers to a T Junction increasing the safety to all road users. Before
Before
From Dowerin-Meckering Road looking north-east at the Y junction of Wilding Road highlighting the severity of the road Looking south along Wilding Road towards the Y junction with the gravel slip lane extending straight on to Dowerin-Meckering Road angle. The sight distance is reduced to zero when trucks with restricted left side vision enter Dowerin-Meckering Road from Wilding Road After
Funding provided a safer intersection with improved sight lines ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 43
WHEATBELT SOUTH RRG
Wheatbelt South Regional Road Group How Funds Contribute to the Region’s Economic and Social Development
■■ Supporting the transport needs of agricultural industries ■■ Allows for upgrading of unsealed single lane and narrow seal local roads to increase safety for all motorists ■■ Upgrading to sealed roads provides motorists, particularly heavy vehicles, with increased economies in terms of travel times as well as reducing safety risks associated with dust for vehicles travelling behind or towards these heavy vehicles ■■ Delivering safer roads and roadsides
The Major Issues Facing Local Roads in this Region
■■ Increase in the number of farmers who want RAVs to service from the farm gate to bin ■■ Increase in RAV traffic on the local road network increasing the rate of deterioration of the road asset Source: Roads 2025 (2007). ■■ Uncertainty of the future of grain freight railway lines, shifting freight from rail to road, increasing the rate of deterioration of the road asset Local Beverley, Brookton, Bruce Rock, Corrigin, Governments Cuballing, Dumbleyung, Kondinin, Kulin, ■■ Decreasing the level of safety for other motorists due to the Lake Grace, Narembeen, Narrogin (S), prevalence of dust when travelling on unsealed roads Narrogin (T), Pingelly, Quairading, Wagin, ■■ Lack of funding compared to need Wandering, West Arthur, Wickepin, Williams. ■■ Inability to obtain clearing permits for native vegetation in a Length of Sealed ...... 3,514 timely fashion Roads (km) Gravel ...... 10,592 ■■ The cost and time taken to relocate utilities in the road Formed ...... 2,625 reserve delaying road activities Unformed ...... 331 Total ...... 17,063 (Source: 2007/08 Report on Local Government Road Assets & Expenditure).
Population 22,735 (Source: LG Directory 2009).
Main Wheat, livestock, wool and mining. Transport Tasks
Major Industries that use Local Roads
■■ Agriculture ■■ Mining ■■ Tourism Example Road Project The major concern was the risk of drivers loosing control when laterally moving their vehicles to the gravel shoulders in the short Shire of Beverley: Westdale Road transition areas at each end of the reverse curves to accommodate on-coming vehicles. The risk was drivers overshooting the curves The Shire of Beverley has progressively upgraded sections of the resulting in rollover, head-on or swipe crashes. Realigning the Westdale Road to a 7.0m seal. The project involved widening curves has reduced the risk of such incidences and provides an the existing road surface to 7.0 m including reconstruction and overall safer road environment for all road users. widening of the road shoulders, widening of narrow culverts and cement stabilising prior to sealing. Westdale Road is the main route from Beverley to Brookton Highway, through to Perth and is utilised by light and heavy vehicles. The objective of the project was to provide a safer road for motorists by continuing to widen out to 7.0 m and realigning corners with a less than 500m radius. The project reduces the amount of ongoing shoulder maintenance and preserves the existing seal. Proposed grain bin closures within the Shire of Beverley would see a significant increase in the number of heavy vehicles using Westdale Road. The road widening provides many safety benefits to all road users including providing increased lateral distance between on-coming vehicles.
Black Spot Project East Hyden Bin Road
Shire of Kondinin: East Hyden Bin Road The project undertaken by the Shire of Kondinin involved the reconstruction of reverse curves between 4.00 and 5.35 SLK to provide a 7.0 m wide seal with a minimum design speed of 90 km/h. The total length of reconstruction was approximately 750 m. Prior to this project, both approaches to the reverse curves were straight and flat, generally having a speed environment of 110 km/h. The reverse horizontal curves however had speed advisory signs of 70 km/h due to the reduced curve radii and restricted sight distance from vegetation on the inside of the curves. Although the width of the seal was 6.2m wide, the seal width on both approaches was only 3.5m (having a formation width less than that in the 6.2m seal section). Severe drop-offs existed at the East Hyden Bin Road seal edge of the curve creating a risk to drivers moving laterally to accommodate on-coming traffic. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STATE ROAD FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT 2005/06–2009/10 45
CONCLUSION
Local Governments manage 72 per cent of the State’s road network which equates to nearly 130,000 km of road. In addition, Local Governments manage road assets including timber, steel and concrete bridges; walking and cycling paths; drainage; street lighting; signage; road reserve management, vegetation and landscaping. The economic and social health of Western Australia is dependent upon the provision, maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure. This Agreement highlights what can be achieved from a positive partnership between the State and Local Governments. It also demonstrates the leadership and strategic vision of the Regional Road Groups to enhance social and economic development in their regions. ISA Workshop Wheatbelt South RRG The State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement is a vital source of funding for the local road network and the sector welcomes this partnership approach with State Government to ensure its maintenance and renewal. The State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement 2005-06 to 2009-10 is the third road funding Agreement between State and Local Government and provides certainty of funding to improve regionally significant road links and provide safe roads and roadsides for the motoring public. The achievements made during the Agreement have benefited all Western Australians. USEFUL LINKS • Australian Bureau of Statistics www.abs.gov.au • Austroads www.austroads.com.au Town of Victoria Park’s “Arrive Alive - Have a Break Not a Wake” campaign, • Department of Environment and Conservation 2006 www.dec.wa.gov.au • Department of Local Government www.dlg.wa.gov.au • Department of Transport WA www.transport.wa.gov.au • Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia www.ipwea.org.au • Main Roads WA www.mainroads.wa.gov.au • Roads 2025 www.walga.asn.au/about/policy/infrastructure/roads_2025_dev • ROADS Foundation www.roadsfoundation.com.au • RoadWise www.roadwise.asn.au • ROMAN II www.Roman2.com.au http://www.walga.asn.au/about/policy/infrastructure/ Swan RoadWise committee – White Ribbons for Road Safety launch 2009 documents • State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement 05/06-09/10 www.walga.asn.au/about/policy/infrastructure/SRFTLGA • WA Local Government Grants Commission www.dlg.wa.gov.au/Content/LG/GrantsCommission • Western Australian Local Government Association www.walga.asn.au • Western Power www.westernpower.com.au FURTHER INFORMATION
Should you require any further information on this report, please contact: Executive Manager Infrastructure Telephone: 08 9213 2031 Fax: 08 9321 8378
To download a copy of this report please go to http://www.walga.asn.au/about/policy/infrastructure/SRFTLGA