ALGA welcomes Ferguson's transport commitments
12 July 2004
Commitments by Labor today to support the renewal of the $1.2bn Roads to Recovery program, continue the Black Spots road safety program and take a cooperative approach to transport infrastructure funding have been welcomed by the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery.
The commitments were made today in an address to the 5th National Local Roads Congress by the Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Martin Ferguson.
Mr Ferguson said Labor was committed to the continuation of the Roads to Recovery program and said he had listened to local government concerns about how the $400m strategic component would operate. He would develop open and transparent criteria for allocating the funds.
He said Labor would consider three and four way funding partnerships for local government involving all spheres of government working to lever private sector financing 'to get more projects completed more often'.
Labor would also extend funding eligibility to include public transport infrastructure projects such as park and ride facilities in urban centres and runways at regional airports.
Cr Montgomery said Roads to Recovery was a program of critical importance to Australia's 675 councils, providing desperately needed funding to address the massive backlog of local road maintenance work.
"We are delighted that both the Coalition and Labor will continue the program for a further four years once the current program expires in July next year."
Local roads comprise around 85% of the total Australian road network, or 680,000km by road length.
Cr Montgomery said Mr Ferguson's commitment to continue the Black Spots program was a positive move that would be welcome by councils around the country.
