Local government roads and transport strategy launched
November 30, 2006
A five-part plan calling on the Australian Government to work with councils to deal with the transport challenges facing communities over the next ten years was unveiled this morning by the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, AM.
"Local government is a key player in transport and will continue to play a major role for the next ten years and beyond," Cr Bell said at the launch of the Local Government Road and Transport Strategy at the National General Assembly of Local Government.
In his speech, Cr Bell reminded the Australian Government of the importance of local roads and other local government owned transport infrastructure in Australia's transport system.
"Nearly every freight journey begins and ends on a local road irrespective of whether it travels by truck, rail, air or sea," he said.
"Some of the challenges we need to address are pollution and traffic congestion in our cities, the increase in freight movement, public transport, ageing communities and land use planning. The level of freight is expected to more than double by 2020."
"Local government is responsible for some 650,000km, or nearly 80% of all Australian roads significant public transport infrastructure and more than 200 airports," he said. "The National Transport Commission has estimated that some 18% of kilometres travel by vehicles over 4.5 tonnes and 28% of commercial kilometres travelled is on local roads."
The strategy developed by local government at its Local Roads and Transport Congress in Launceston in 2005 and refined in Alice Springs in July was publicly released today. It focuses on:
- local road funding and management
- Urban transport
- Mobility and access for regional Australians
- Freight management
- Long-term financial sustainability of local government
"Local government needs permanent funding arrangements to have certainty of funding to ensure a well-managed and sustainable local road system that provides appropriate access and levels of service for all communities," Cr Bell said.
"We have proved that we can deliver value for money when funding is provided to meet the needs of local communities and economies."
Cr Bell praised the Federal Government's Roads to Recovery and AusLink Strategic Regional Program which has delivered almost $3b for roads and the Council of Australian Governments transport reform agenda.
The strategy is available on the ALGA website: www.alga.asn.au
- Contact
- Amanda Lynch, Director, ALGA Public Affairs - 0419 123 862
