Delegates at the Australian Local Government Association’s 10th National Local Roads and Transport Congress have called for a detailed intergovernmental national strategic transport vision to respond to population projections of
35 million by 2049 and a doubling of freight volume by 2020.
Meeting in Mackay from 8 to 11 November, some 300 delegates from councils across the nation heard from a range of keynote presenters and attended workshops to map out a framework for a new strategy under the following objectives:
- local road funding management – permanent
and certain funding arrangements for local
roads - transport planning – establish transport and
planning systems that improve amenity,
public transport, social inclusion, freight
efficiency and to provide viable alternatives
to the private motor vehicle - public transport – Australian cities to be
adequately serviced with public transport to
provide a viable alternative to the use of
private vehicles and to meet existing
population and future population growth - mobility and access for regional, rural
and remote Australia – equitable access,
particularly to essential services, for all
regional communities - road safety – reducing road deaths and
serious injuries on local roads - freight management – efficient movement
of freight through local communities in a
way that recognises community concerns
for safety and amenity - Local Government sustainability – longterm
sustainability of local road and transport
systems is dependent on financing and
the ongoing access to an appropriately
skilled workforce.
The full Communiqué can be accessed under ‘recent updates’ at www.alga.asn.au
“Our cities urgently need coordinated and integrated planning by the three levels of government to address the pressing issues of ageing and social inclusion, congestion and carbon emissions,” said ALGA President Councillor Geoff Lake.
“I welcome the Federal Government’s move into urban planning and public transport; however, in the foreseeable future, motor vehicles will continue to dominate transport and Local Government wants to see all levels of government on the front foot in planning for our future road and freight needs.
“Local Government has responsibility for over 80 per cent of Australian roads. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Local Government to meet the funding needs associated with maintaining this vast national asset.
“As almost every trip begins and ends on a local road, appropriate investment in our local roads is essential for boosting the nation’s productive capacity. Local Government wants to work closely with the Commonwealth Government to secure an increased investment in our local road network.”
Specifics in the Communiqué include a call for:
- permanent funding for the Roads to
Recovery program - the inclusion of local roads in any move to
road user charges to ensure that any revenue raised is returned to councils for reinvestment in local roads - the Federal Government to establish an
agreed set of indicators in consultation with
Local Government to measure the condition
and performance of the local road system - the Federal Government to amend the
graduated formula for the charging of Fringe
Benefits Tax on motor vehicles to properly
reflect government and community need
to positively encourage reduced use of motor
vehicles.
The ALGA Board will now use this Communiqué to finalise a strategy for Local Government that will be launched at the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra in June 2010.
