Regional Transport Funding Priorities Overview
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REGIONAL TRANSPOrt FUNDING PrIORITIES Overview Northern Tasmania Development The transport funding priorities NTD has outlined in this document (NTD) is the northern regional have been identified and developed in collaboration with these development body established by the eight local councils to ensure they deliver a regional advantage eight northern councils that make up and provide increased opportunities to a significant proportion this region. These eight councils are: of the Northern Tasmania population. This development process has included the mayors and general managers of each council. • Break O’Day Council This document contains two sections. The first section • Dorset Council summarises the region’s top four transport infrastructure priorities, as identified and agreed upon by all eight of the • Flinders Council municipal councils. The documentation of these projects allows strength in lobbying through a united voice, a rapid response to • George Town Council future funding opportunities, and further legitimises the projects and the identification process undertaken. The projects, listed in • Launceston City Council order of priority, are as follows: • Meander Valley Council 1. Review of the Northern Tasmania Integrated Transport • Northern Midlands Council Strategy • West Tamar Council 2. Maintenance of State and National Road Network 3. Bell Bay Expansion Project 4. Lady Barron/Bridport Redevelopment Section Two lists individual projects that are priority for the local government area/s in which the projects are located. It is recommended that the individual projects form part of a review of the Northern Tasmania Integrated Transport Strategy (identified above as regional priority 1). 2 SECTION 1 Northern Tasmania Regional Transport FUNDING PrIORITIES 3 Review of Northern Tasmanian Integrated Transport Plan DESCRIPTION: ASSESSMENT: Regional transport plans are a There have been some significant regional changes since 2003 key component of Tasmania’s that necessitate a comprehensive review of the Plan. In addition, strategic planning framework it must be reviewed to incorporate current National and State for transport infrastructure policy directions and contemporary approaches to transport and services, and the need for issues. plans at this level is recognised in the Tasmanian Infrastructure The Plan will be a collaborative initiative between the Tasmanian Strategy. The absence of Government, Northern Tasmania Development and the eight rigorous up- to- date plans will northern councils, and will involve detailed assessment of the result in poor infrastructure characteristics and trends in the region. The Plan needs to be and service decisions that can underpinned by the latest data and application of analytical have a long-term profound models to analyse the current situation and future scenarios. impact on outcomes for Transport challenges and opportunities will then be considered Tasmanian communities. to inform what actions need to be taken, with objectives and Integrated Regional transport strategies then developed against a number of strategic policy Plans are in place for each of areas. On completion of the 10 year Plan, key initiatives and an Tasmania’s three regions, the annual Action Plan will be developed. Northern Tasmanian Plan was released in 2003. Commencement of the review will be dependent on budget allocation within the Deptartment of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) and the capacity of departmental and council staff to allocate priority and resources. PROJECT VALUE: $500,000 4 Maintenance of State and National Road Network DESCRIPTION: ASSESSMENT: Tasmania’s state managed DIER uses a five tier State Road hierarchy to classify the road road network comprises about network based on strategic importance to assist with the strategic 3650 km of roads and 1200 management and planning of the State’s transport system. bridges. The network includes A strategic asset management approach is used for setting of nearly 400 km of roads, service levels and prioritising funding needs. nominated as the National Network, which is eligible Routine maintenance is provided through regional network for funding contributions by contracts to maintain the network in a safe and serviceable the Australian Government. condition. Development of ongoing forward works programs The Australian Government for major maintenance works and asset renewals are delivered maintenance contribution is through specific works contracts. Forward works programs are based on a National Network subject to regular change. formula approach to distribute funding among the state road DIER develops budget submissions based on the State authorities. Government’s annual budget process. These annual submissions include maintenance requirements as a core component. A Community concerns submission will be provided in early 2011 for the 2011/12 regarding the need for budget. maintaining appropriate road service levels are recognised. NTD/northern councils could develop a budget submission that Increased level of maintenance reflects their infrastructure concerns. intervention requires additional maintenance funding. A possible approach could be to: • identify state assets of maintenance concern in the northern region • confirm from DIER their current timing/priority within forward programs • forward a submission based on undesirable gaps. 5 Bell Bay Expansion Project DESCRIPTION: ASSESSMENT: Tasmania’s island status results The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) in a heavy reliance on our ports has submitted this project to Infrastructure Australia (IA) for for the bulk of our exports and consideration for future Federal Government funding. The project imports. Port activity is forecast has been included in IA’s national pipeline of projects as a project to increase significantly over with real potential. Tasports and DIER is continuing to work with the next 20 years with growth IA on the planning and development of the project, to enable IA in total tonnage, bulk trade to further its assessment of the project. and container volumes. Recent commercial decisions to increase container traffic through The Tasmanian Government Burnie over the short term does not reduce or detract from the has identified the Bell Bay strategic importance of the Bell Bay project. It is critical that the intermodal expansion as a Tasmanian Government takes a long term integrated view in priority project supporting this planning its infrastructure networks. long term freight growth. As a major export port, the Bell Bay Under existing conditions Tasmania’s northern ports have a total project is a critical part of the capacity of 650,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent unit container). Government’s broader focus Medium term forecasts are predicting a need for a capacity of on removing constraints in 800,000 TEUs. Redevelopment of Bell Bay will support an increase Tasmania’s north south freight in capacity from 150,000 TEUs to 650,000 TEUs in the longer supply chain. term. While some additional capacity remains at Devonport port, as an urban port it faces significant constraints to future expansion. Burnie Port faces similar constraints. Bell Bay is the only port capable of significant expansion in the longer term to support growth in Tasmania’s container market. The support of the northern councils in the continued development of this project is an important element. PROJECT VALUE: $160 MILLION 6 Lady Barron/Bridport Port DESCRIPTION: ASSESSMENT: As part of the regional transport The link and associated infrastructure between the port of priorities the improvement and Bridport and the Furneaux Group of Islands is critical to the upgrade of port facilities at economic growth potential of both municipalities and the region. Lady Barron (for the Furneaux Dorset and Flinders Council see the development of modern, Group of Islands) and Bridport small-scale port facilities at both Bridport and Lady Barron as an is critical to the sustainability important long-term infrastructure project to stimulate growth and growth of the region. and build capacity. The Furneaux Group of The Tasmanian Government has provided $1.7M over the next Islands relies heavily on ports two years for basic upgrades to the Lady Barron Port facility. An infrastructure for the bulk of allocation of funds to undertake further significant upgrades their exports and imports. is required. Consultants Aurecon have already prepared a high Current port facilities are level master plan that outlines priority works. The sustainable ageing and not reflective of redevelopment of the Lady Barron Port will provide a significant the requirements of a modern step towards achieving the directions of the Flinders Council and facility or the goods requiring to diversify what Flinders Island has to offer to residents and transport, storage and visitors. This should include delineation of the commercial and distribution. The current facility recreational activities of the Lady Barron Port and provide specific frustrates and constrains the opportunity to a small-scale marina development to compliment ability of the islands’ economy the immense tourist potential of Flinders Island. It is recognised to grow and provide for the that in addition to the improvement of port related infrastructure, efficient delivery and storage there is a clear need to support a reliable shipping service that of goods. enables industry, agriculture and the community to plan in confidence and deliver the ‘Flinders’ brand