Annual Report 2008-09 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
VicTrack Annual Report 2008–09 2 VicTrack Annual Report 2008-09 1 Contents Letter to the Minister PART 1 – ABOUT VICTRACK VicTrack – a snapshot 3 Mission, vision, values 4 Highlights 2008–09 5 17 September 2009 Report from the Chair 6 Report from the Chief Executive 7 The Hon Lynne Kosky MP Government policy framework 8 Minister for Public Transport and the Arts Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street Core functions and business units 9 Melbourne VIC 3000 Board members and committees 10 Executive team and organisational structure 11 Dear Minister I have much pleasure in submitting the Annual PART 2 – OUTCOMES Report for VicTrack for the period of 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 for your presentation to Parliament. Delivering value to transport 13 Yours sincerely Improving safety 13 Supporting a resilient public transport system 16 Integrating transport and land use planning 19 Facilitating efficient freight 22 Elana Rubin Delivering value to Whole-of-Government 25 Chair Improving access to telecommunications 25 Providing for community facilities 26 Delivering value to the community 29 Managing environmental challenges 29 Protecting rail heritage 30 Supporting community partners 33 Improving VicTrack’s capability 37 Developing our people 37 Encouraging health and wellbeing 38 Improving corporate capacity 39 PART 3 – STATUTORY AND FINANCIAL REPORTING Corporate governance 41 Statutory information 45 Financial performance 46 Independent auditor's report 48 Statutory statement 50 Financial report 51 Disclosure index 88 Appendix: Level and pedestrian crossing upgrades 2008–09 90 Cover photo: VicTrack Project Manager, Patrick Chuah, at Gisborne Station Photo left: (left to right) VicTrack Project Manager, Peter Bannerman with contractor Bernie Morris, Enviropacific Services at Spotswood 2 VicTrack Annual Report 2008-09 Part 1: About VicTrack 3 PART 1: ABOUT VicTrack VicTrack – a snapshot VicTrack is a government rail agency whose charter is to operate commercially by adding value to the state’s public transport assets (primarily rail) and supporting the delivery of public transport services in a safe and efficient manner. The corporation was created in 1997 under VicTrack’s operations and projects are section 8 of the Rail Corporations Act 1996 either directly funded by other arms of and is a State Business Corporation with government, or from its own cash flow an independent Board reporting to its sole generated from its commercial operations. shareholder, the Victorian Government. VicTrack is the legal owner of Victoria’s Declaration as a State Owned Enterprise railway land, infrastructure and much took effect in July 2007 and created a of its rolling stock. However, almost all dual reporting line to both the Minister these assets are leased to Victoria’s rail for Public Transport and the Treasurer. and tram operators via the Director of Revenue from VicTrack’s property, Public Transport. VicTrack has no role telecommunications and other commercial managing them or delivering public activities funds its operations and transport or rail freight services. infrastructure projects, ranging from In its various businesses, VicTrack extensions to its fibre optic network works closely with the Department of to investments in freight terminals Transport and Department of Treasury under its control. The revenue also and Finance, public transport franchisees, funds a wide range of social and telecommunications carriers, VicUrban, environmental activities, including: VicRoads, local councils and a broad f the restoration of heritage rail range of other stakeholders including buildings and other assets peak bodies and community groups. f providing more than 400 leases of railway land to local councils and community groups and clubs at non-commercial rentals f a significant ongoing program of land decontamination, and asbestos and flora and fauna management. 4 VicTrack Annual Report 2008-09 Mission, vision, values Mission Values VicTrack’s mission is to improve the Client focus: we inspire trust and value of assets it manages for the State confidence through our expertise and to deliver a range of commercial and commitment to our clients. services and projects that improve Accountability and results: we create Victoria’s transport system and an environment where we accept contribute to the state’s liveability and responsibility and take ownership sustainable economic development. and pride in achieving our goals. Empowerment: we strive for a culture Vision that motivates, builds confidence and a sense of achievement. To grow as a commercially sustainable corporation that supports the delivery Working together: we create unity by of government policy and achieves harnessing the different perspectives of triple bottom line outcomes through a our people to reach common goals. strong commercial focus, environmental sensitivity and by providing a range of Respect and trust: we build the social benefits to Victorian communities. confidence and trust of our people to communicate freely in an accepting and supportive environment. Growth and innovation: we grow through innovation, continuous improvement and change. New horizons: we invest in personal and organisational growth through continuous learning and development. Broader view: we develop a corporate plan with our stakeholders which identifies our strategic goals to achieve our social, economic and environmental responsibilities. Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky Part 1: About VicTrack 5 Highlights 2008–09 In 2008–09, VicTrack: f Completed repairs and refurbishments f Completed the second stage of to eight country train stations across a major heritage restoration of f Upgraded 45 road and pedestrian Victoria, including installing a new Maryborough Railway Station and crossings across Victoria by installing platform shelter, bus shelter and earned the 2008–09 Heritage Award flashing lights and/or boom barriers toilets at Gisborne Station and painting from the Australian Property Institute (at level crossings) and automatic and refurbishing Dimboola Station. (Victorian Division) for one of the largest gates (at pedestrian crossings). heritage restorations in Victoria. Also installed Active Advance Warning f Adopted a masterplan for the Signs at 22 level crossings and upgraded redevelopment of the E-Gate site f Developed a four-year Sustainability 18 crib crossings to comply with the and appointed Major Projects Strategy and Action Plan to minimise Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Victoria as project manager. the environmental impact of VicTrack’s operations. The strategy focuses on f f Trialled two kinds of locking Contributed to the development of reducing office-based carbon emissions, technologies for emergency escape the Victorian Government’s Freight improving business operations gates to improve safety at pedestrian Futures plan which provides strategies and environmental initiatives. crossings – an electromagnetic for decentralising non-export freight latch at Yarraville and a mechanical from the Port area and relieving latch at Bentleigh Station. congestion in and around Melbourne. f Managed a major upgrade of the f Started work on the Intra-Government former Public Transport Corporation Secure Network (iGSN), which Training Centre in partnership with will link major government the Department of Transport to create departments in Melbourne’s CBD the Rail Skills Centre – Victoria, with data centres in metropolitan a state-of-the-art training facility Melbourne and regional Victoria. for the rail and tram industry. f Negotiated two major land sales f Built a dedicated Network Operations to boost community open space – Centre (NOC) to oversee VicTrack’s one in Cobram to Moira Shire Council growing telecommunications network. for the development of a major park Rail operators and other customers and tourist precinct and the other can contact the NOC to report in Albion to the City of Brimbank problems, track faults or upgrade for a children’s playground. their communications systems. 6 VicTrack Annual Report 2008-09 Report from the Chair Our growing fibre optic network provides This important initiative harnesses essential infrastructure for rail safety VicTrack’s fibre optic capability for achieving and signalling systems as well as CCTV wider Whole-of-Government objectives. surveillance. In the past 12 months When complete, the network will link major VicTrack’s fibre optic network grew by government departments in Melbourne’s more than nine per cent and now covers CBD with data centres in metropolitan Melbourne’s entire rail network, allowing Melbourne and regional Victoria via a for the installation of CCTV cameras secure, high-bandwidth data service. at all metropolitan train stations. The public transport sector will also We also continued our work with the benefit from improved management of the Department of Transport and other network arising from the iGSN project. agencies, to better integrate public Alongside these achievements, VicTrack transport infrastructure with other has continued to uphold its environmental community assets and facilities to and social commitments. During the improve safety, amenity, access and year we negotiated two major land security, particularly in country Victoria. The past 12 months have been an exciting sales that will lead to the development and challenging time for VicTrack. A good example is our partnership with of a major formal park in Cobram and Latrobe City Council, the Department a new children’s playground in Albion. The organisation has