THE ROADS AND TRANSPORT PROGRESS REPORT 2015–2016 The Alliance acknowledges the assistance provided by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Regional Roads and Transport Groups in compiling this report. 1 Contents Foreword 3 Message from the Chair 4 Who we are and what we do 5 Our Achievements 9 Delivering in the community - Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme projects 11 Supporting state-wide capability improvements 29 State-wide financial reports 35 Regional Roads and Transport Group Profiles 39 Progress Report 2015-16 2 Foreword I am very pleased to present the Roads and Transport Alliance Annual Progress Report 2015– 2016. This Report recognises the considerable benefits of the collaboration between the Queensland Government and local governments who have worked together through the Roads and Transport Alliance to manage and improve Queensland’s diverse road and transport network. The Queensland Government is listening to communities and providing local governments with the confidence to plan infrastructure that sustains employment. In 2015–16, Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) funding was increased by $30 million a year for two years. This increase flowed directly to Regional Road and Transport Groups (RRTGs), who responded positively and met the challenges of revising and delivering increased programs of work right across the state. This considerable investment in Queensland’s road and transport network supported local employment and built regional capability, contributing to 279 projects in 2015–16. Local governments’ commitment to matching the significant increase to TIDS funding and delivering the 2015–16 program was acknowledged when the 2016 State Budget was handed down in June. The Queensland Government committed to maintain the TIDS increase for a further three years. This additional $90 million will extend the ongoing base investment in TIDS to $70 million per year, providing much needed support for local infrastructure and job security. The Alliance is the primary framework within Queensland to pursue cross-government and stakeholder collaboration on prioritisation of future road upgrades. It provides local government, through RRTGs, the ability to influence priorities for network investment across the state. A great example of this in the past year was the collaborative development of the ‘Beef Roads’ submission to the Australian Government. While initially set up to address Queensland’s road infrastructure needs, broadening the scope of TIDS funding to include other transport infrastructure has allowed for innovative approaches to regionally planning and prioritising safer school travel infrastructure, cycle ways and airports. I commend RRTGs for considering transport infrastructure more broadly. Being able to make these decisions at a local level ensures TIDS funding contributes to the best outcomes for our communities. In its 14 years of operations, the Alliance has led to increased collaboration, capability building and engagement in the regions. Collaboration based on transport priorities for community outcomes, rather than asset ownership, will continue as the key driver of the Alliance. The Honourable Mark Bailey MP Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports, and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply October 2016 3 Message from the Chair The Roads and Transport Alliance continues to be a aerodromes across the Central West Region for relevant and important partnership for Queensland the next 20 years. Likewise, the Strategic Freight state and local governments. Its decentralised Planning Studies jointly undertaken by the approach ensures Regional Roads and Transport Toowoomba and Western Downs Regional Roads Groups are empowered to deliver regionally and Transport Groups highlights local governments relevant transport infrastructure to all parts of commitment to understanding and supporting the Queensland – from the Gulf, to the Wet Tropics, the ever increasing freight task. These expanded and western Channel country and the urban environs of integrated approaches will ensure that Queensland South East Queensland. This regional perspective is prepared for the inevitable challenges and is vital to ensuring that Queensland’s transport changes to the transport industry in the years network meets the needs of our communities and ahead. I for one, would certainly like to see similar businesses that depend on it for so many things. initiatives embraced by more Regional Roads and Transport Groups. The Queensland Government’s announcement in the 2016-17 State Budget that Transport Adapting to changing times has been a focus of the Infrastructure Development Scheme funding will be Alliance Board over the last year. As noted in last maintained at $70 million a year through to 2020 is year’s Annual Report, the Alliance’s Operational a solid endorsement of the value of the partnership. Framework has been reviewed and updated to Unlike other funding programs which are subject to ensure that Regional Roads and Transport Groups increasingly variable funding levels, the certainty continue to deliver in the best interests of their provided by this announcement allows for better region, whilst providing appropriate governance strategic delivery of works on Queensland’s Local and processes to preserve the integrity of the Roads of Regional Significance. A stable works Alliance model. Importantly, the Framework also program also provides the confidence needed for encourages a focus on the planning aspects, not local governments to employ and maintain local just delivery of infrastructure projects. workforces which are critical to the sustainability of I would like to take this opportunity to thank my many of our regional towns. Roads and Transport Alliance Board colleagues As the Alliance partnership enters its 15th year, the for their contributions throughout the past year. commitment to a regional and joint approach to As the Chair of the Alliance passes from myself to all forms of transport infrastructure planning and Neil, I wish to take this final opportunity to express delivery remains as strong as ever. The number my support for the ideals on which the Alliance is of projects delivered over the past year, 279 of based – that is, a cooperative approach between all them, speaks volumes about the effort required levels of government is fundamental to building a to continually deliver on this commitment. This strong and resilient Queensland. work occurs in addition to the regular infrastructure On behalf of the Roads and Transport Alliance capital and maintenance programs normally Board, I congratulate all Regional Roads and delivered by state and local governments. Transport Groups on their collaborative and at times The range of projects and activities undertaken by innovative program management and delivery of Regional Roads and Transport Groups is testament Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme to the value of working together to achieve good projects. outcomes. This includes not only roads that It is my pleasure to present this 2015–16 Roads and are vital for Queensland’s many industries and Transport Alliance Annual Progress Report. communities, but also other forms of transport such as airports, marine infrastructure and cycle ways. For example, the Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group’s Regional Greg Hallam Airport Plan, the first of its type for the Chair, Roads and Transport Alliance Board Alliance, outlines a consistent approach October 2016. to the management, maintenance and renewal of Progress Report 2015-16 4 Who we are What we do 5 The Roads and Transport Alliance The Roads and Transport Alliance The Roads and Transport Alliance is a cooperative Model governance arrangement between the Department of Roads and Transport Alliance Board Transport and Main Roads (TMR), the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and Queensland The Board includes senior executives from TMR and councils. LGAQ who set the strategic direction of the Alliance. Formed in 2002, the Alliance was initiated to Roads and Transport Alliance Project Team (RTAPT) address shared road and transport challenges across The team is comprised of TMR and LGAQ officers who Queensland to: implement Alliance strategies and initiatives and • maximise the economic, social and environmental provide support to Regional Roads and Transport Groups benefits of our joint investments in the State’s (RRTGs) and the Board. transport network Regional Roads and Transport Groups • achieve maximum efficiencies through joint and innovative approaches to road stewardship, network Group members include local government elected planning, program development, purchasing and representatives and TMR district directors. RRTGs are resource sharing the primary decision making bodies of the Alliance who • improve road management and delivery capability determine regionally prioritised improvements to their through increased training, advanced technology and communities’ transport infrastructure. knowledge transfer There are 17 Regional Roads and Transport Groups • optimise safety for all road users across the State, with each group consisting of • maximise the investment by all parties on the neighbouring local governments (or a single council) and Queensland transport network. a TMR district office. The Roads and Transport Alliance operates under a Technical Committees (TCs) Memorandum of Agreement between TMR and the These committees are comprised of local government LGAQ, cementing their