2007 Local Roads and Transport Congress – Communique
July 11, 2007
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has urged all political parties in the lead-up to the Federal election to commit to a road and transport agenda to address problems of greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, urban congestion, freight management and pollution in our cities, as well as meeting the access and transport needs of regional and rural communities.
Speaking at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Newcastle (July 8-10) attended by more than 400 delegates from councils across Australia, Cr Bell called on our national leaders to work with local government to deliver safe, efficient, effective, equitable and sustainable transport services and infrastructure throughout Australia.
He also specifically called on state governments to fully meet their funding obligations and responsibilities to deliver outcomes for Australian communities.
Cr Bell said the Local Government Roads and Transport Strategy discussed by the Congress identified five core areas which need to be addressed: Local road funding and management; urban transport solutions; mobility and access for regional Australians; freight management and long-term financial sustainability for local government.
"Delegates welcomed the commitment by the Government and the Opposition to the Roads to Recovery and Blackspots Programs," Cr Bell said. "These are of huge significance for communities throughout Australia and local government has demonstrated it has the capacity to deliver tangible outcomes for the people we represent."
"However, we are keen to move the debate to areas of growing concern, particularly urban transport issues which present a major challenge and affect the quality of life of Australia's 13m city-dwellers. These issues have been neglected and require leadership and cooperation between the three spheres of government. It is imperative they are not just pushed into the 'too-hard basket.'
Delegates heard from speakers on global warming and the challenges that will be faced in providing transport services after the production of oil has peaked.
Cr Bell said "that while there are many unknowns about the timing there was no question that they were real issues that will have major impacts on local communities."
Delegates recognized that the collective decisions of local government will impact significantly and called for national leadership and for all political parties to commit to policies that will deliver:
- Permanent funding arrangements for local government to ensure a well managed and sustainable local road system that provides appropriate access and levels of service for all communities and the benefit of industry;
- Transport systems in urban areas that provide a balance between urban amenity, freight efficiency and viable alternatives to the use of private motor vehicles;
- Equitable access, particularly to essential services, through integrated planning and the provision of appropriate transport services for all rural and regional communities;
- Efficient movement of freight vehicles through local communities in a way which recognises community concerns for safety and amenity; and
- The long-term financial sustainability of local road and transport systems.
The full Communique from the Congress is available on the ALGA website: www.alga.asn.au/policy/transport/congress/2007/04.communique.php
- Contact
- Cr Paul Bell AM, ALGA President - 0418 791 596
- Amanda Lynch, Director Government and Media Relations, ALGA - 0419 123 862
