The key topics will be the arrangements for the new Roads to Recovery program and AusLink and its implications for local government.
Four sessions on ‘Showcasing Best Practice’ will allow plenty of opportunities for sharing ideas and discussing councils’ presentations on some innovative programs.
The National Local Roads Congress is the most important annual event on the local roads calendar. It brings together over 400 delegates from across Australia to provide and discuss essential information on a wide range of local roads issues, including policy, road use, maintenance and funding.
By any measure, 2004 is turning out to be the year of the big announcements concerning Australia’s local roads.
In January, ALGA’s campaign to secure the renewal of the Roads to Recovery program paid off, with the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson that Roads to Recovery will be extended for another four years at a cost to the Commonwealth of $1.2 billion.
John Anderson also committed around $810m over three years for the regional land transport projects – a ‘downpayment’ on the AusLink land transport plan.
And May sees the release of the full AusLink plan when the Australian Government’s ‘White Paper’ is released around the time of the Federal Budget.
But how will the new look Roads to Recovery program operate? How will funds be allocated for strategic regional projects? What will AusLink mean for local government and how will it impact on local roads? What can councils do to get the most out of the new programs and arrangements? And what can we expect to see in the road policies of the major parties as we approach the next federal election?
These are vital questions for local government and will be among the key themes for the 2004 National Local Roads Congress to be held in South Australia’s magnificent Barossa Valley.
The Congress, now it its fifth year, continues to grow in importance and stature. It is the most important event on the local roads calendar, bringing together more than 400 delegates from across Australia.
Join us in the Barossa as we assess the importance and impact of the year’s big announcements on Australia’s local road network.
Councillor Mike Montgomery
President, Australian Local Government Association
As your host of the Fifth Australian Local Government Association National Local Roads Congress, I would like to extend a very warm and cordial Barossa welcome to all delegates and offer you our friendship and hospitality.
The Barossa Region, located an hour’s drive north of Adelaide, famous for its premium wines and as a first class tourist destination, owes much of its heritage and traditions to the early English settlers and Lutheran pioneers who came to enjoy freedom of worship and better opportunities for their families.
Today the Barossa is enjoying rapid growth – mainly due to the 50 plus wineries which range from small family businesses to large multinationals, and whilst these are the main economic drivers, we are fortunate to have a diversity of industries such as broad acre farming, Crane, Clipsal, Angas Park Fruits, marble quarrying, Adelaide Brighton Cement and Lindsay Park Stud horsetraining and breeding complex.
This rapid expansion in the region has brought significant infrastructure issues particularly in relation to old and inadequate road quality for heavy transport vehicles. The Barossa Council is grateful for the Roads to Recovery funding to help maintain and upgrade the local roads and congratulates the Australian Local Government Association for the significant role it played in the development of the Roads to Recovery program and the extension of funding to 2009.
I trust that this year’s Congress in the Barossa will generate future proposals and strategies to resolve the challenges local government has to maintain and upgrade the majority of the nation’s road network, which plays a very important role in the creation of the nation’s economy and wealth.
Brian M Hurn OAM, JP
Mayor, The Barossa Council
I would like to extend a warm South Australian welcome to delegates of the Fifth Annual ALGA National Local Roads Congress.
The Local Government Association of South Australia continues to enjoy our role of further progressing the development of local government at both the state and national Level.
This is a time of significant change for local government. As with all states and territories, South Australia is pleased with the outcome of the Roads to Recovery Extension Campaign.
The success of the Campaign is recognition of what can be achieved by local government when there is a co-ordinated and collaborative approach.
As the major custodians of the road network, local government will continue to build upon its funding success of R2R2 and continue to develop and maintain the local road network which is integral to the economic development of the nation. The release of the Australian Government’s report A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government also provides formal recognition of the growing roles and responsibilities of local government.
South Australia provides many and varied opportunities for delegates to explore and I know that you will take advantage of the beautiful Barossa Valley, the City of Adelaide and the many other visitor attractions on offer in South Australia.
I look forward to meeting delegates at the Fifth National Local Roads Congress.
Councillor John Legoe
President, Local Government Association of South Australia
For information about the Congress, please contact Robin Anderson, ALGA Director, Transport Policy.
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