‘Roads to Recovery’ makes sustainable asset management practices absolutely vital
Following the successful inaugural National Rural Roads Congress in Moree, last year, the 2001 Congress in Mildura from 26-27 March will highlight and work to address the difficulties Councils face in maintaining their local road networks – the transport and economic life lines of communities across Australia.
Covering an area of 22,245 square kilometres, and as a vibrant regional centre with an extensive local roads network, Mildura Rural City Council is well placed to host the Congress.
This year’s Congress will build on the considerable technical work that has been carried out by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to quantify the standard of local roads throughout the country.
Delegates will have the opportunity to raise the concerns of their community for a coordinated, whole of government approach to address this issue of maintaining local roads to an acceptable standard, and to respond to the Federal Government’s recent ‘Roads to Recovery’ initiative.
Speaking recently at the Road Infrastructure Conference, President of ALGA, Councillor John Ross, pointed out that Local Government is responsible for 84 percent of the total length of road in Australia, and that 60 percent, most of which Councils maintain, is not sealed. While Councils spend $2.4 billion each year on roads, the replacement value of their road asset exceeds $100 billion.
“A Steering Committee, chaired by Ted Butcher, was established to pursue the agenda defined at the Moree Congress,” John Ross said.
“It has carried out a national consultation and undertaken a number of case studies to identify the benefits of additional funding and explore opportunities for a national infrastructure program.”
“Regional development is a core business of Local Government,” he said. “We are not going to continue being local if we can’t keep our businesses and people in our areas.”
He said the Committee will report back at the Mildura Congress on 26-27 March and, that the full report is already available at www.alga.com.au.
It estimates that there is a $140 million shortfall per year in what Councils were spending to service their road asset.
“The Committee barely had its report in draft form when the Commonwealth announced its ‘Roads to Recovery’ Program,” John Ross said.
“Obviously, the Commonwealth was well informed on the direction being taken by the Committee.”
“This program has significantly changed the landscape and the focus for the upcoming Mildura Congress.”
The ‘Roads to Recovery’ Program will provide Councils with $1.2 billion over four years. A further $400,000 has been earmarked for Roads of National Importance in outer Metropolitan areas.
“However, the Commonwealth has left the identification of projects to each Council,” Councillor Ross said.
“While this has been well received by Local Government generally, the Commonwealth has not provided Councils with any guidance on the selection of their projects.
“In fact, the Moree Committee report provides the very guidelines that are missing from the ‘Roads to Recovery’ Program, namely the recognition of the need for more sustainable asset management and additional resources to support their regional industries.
“This must now be the theme of the Mildura Congress and Councils made aware that the ball is clearly in their court.
“Sustainable asset management is clearly the most pressing road issue of our time. Perhaps it is time to talk about an Asset Management Institute established by Local Government for Local Government to advance the capability of Councils in this area.
“If ALGA does not take the initiative, who in our sector will?”
