Roads Congress to focus on congestion, freight and funding
31 May 2005
Congestion, freight and funding will be among the key issues at ALGA's 6th National Local Roads and Transport Congress, to be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Convention Centre in Launceston on 3-5 July.
More than 500 delegates from councils across Australia are expected to take part in the Congress and help shape local government's future transport agenda.
ALGA President, Councillor Paul Bell, said that local roads made up the bulk of Australia's road system, accounting for 680,000km of road by length - around 85% of all roads.
"Australia's 673 councils face an enormous financial challenge just maintaining local roads - a $75bn asset. The Australian Government is helping with the renewal of the $1.2bn Roads to Recovery program. But even with this critically important assistance, local government still needs to find additional resources and new approaches to local road maintenance and improvement.
"The Congress will explore future funding options, asset management strategies and a range of transport issues affecting both regional and urban communities," Cr Bell said.
Congress highlights
| 9.15 | Cr Paul Bell, ALGA President |
| 9.40 | Hon John Anderson MP, Deputy Prime Minister |
| 10.45 | Prof David Hensher, Director, Institute of Transport Studies, University of Sydney 'Road Funding - Where to next?' |
| 4.00 | Mr Kelvin Thomson MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Roads |
| 9.00 | Hon Jim Lloyd MP, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads |
| 10.30 | Hon Bryan Green MHA, Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources |
| 10.55 | Symposia: Sustaining regional transport services/Managing transport demand |
| 11.45 | Symposia: Moving freight/Congestion, noise, safety - pressure on residential amenity |
| 2.30 | Senator Kerry O'Brien, Shadow Minister for Local Government |
Full program and further details at: www.alga.asn.au/roadscongress
