ROAD AND TRAFFIC
vehicles. This includes: ♦♦ $6 million to fund engineering assessments for localgovernment-owned road network infrastructure ♦♦ $2 million to go towards building an asset information collection, storage and sharing system These funding commitments coincide with a series of policy reforms and industry transformation. In January 2019, the National Transport Commission (NTC) began a comprehensive review into the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). The review will involve extensive consultations with stakeholders from both rural and urban areas, with the aim of improving road safety and productivity. These include trucking industry representatives and related industries; policy and law enforcement agencies; the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator; all three tiers of government; and members of the Australian community.
HEAVY VEHICLE SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAM As part of the Local and State Government Road Safety Package, the Federal Government also allocated an additional $275 million for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP). The HVSPP is an initiative to fund infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia. State, territory and local governments are eligible to apply for funding for projects that would upgrade road infrastructure to improve heavy vehicle safety and freight efficiency, help save lives and reduce travel times for freight on Australia’s roads. The Federal Government is contributing up to 50 per cent of the total project cost to successful projects, up to a maximum of $5 million. The 2019-20 Budget committed an additional $25 million per year to the HVSPP. This marks a total of $508 million to the program between 2013 and 2023, with an ongoing commitment of $65 million each year following. Successful projects in Round Six of the program were announced in August 2018. The date for Round Seven has not yet been announced. FUNDING PRE-EXISTING ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMS In addition to the Office of Road Safety and the Innovation Fund, the Federal Government will provide additional funding of $2.2 billion from 2019-20 to improve local road safety and provide upgrades across local road networks.
48
September 2019 // Issue 12
This funding includes an additional $1.1 billion for the Roads to Recovery Program, which brings the total investment in the program to $9.1 billion since 2013-14. There will also be an additional $550 million for the Black Spot Program, a total of $1.8 billion since 2013-14. An additional $275 million will be allocated for the Bridges Renewal Program, marking $1.2 billion for the program since 2013-14. $4 million has gone to supporting road safety awareness, education and collaborative initiatives with nationally focused road organisations that promote road safety. The Australian Automobile Association has also pledged to continue making a co-contribution of $1 million a year (cash and in-kind) with an emphasis on outreach in regional areas.
WHAT ELSE COULD BE ON THE HORIZON FOR AUSTRALIA’S ROADS? The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) listed 39 priority actions to safeguard and improve the ongoing efficiency of Australia’s supply chains. While the Federal Government has so far committed to several of these priorities, including establishing the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy and Freight Data Hub, there are more industry bodies that the ALC believes are missing from the ecology of Australia’s road sector. According to the ALC, establishing a High Productivity Vehicle Infrastructure and Education Fund would allow local governments and road managers to apply for funding to upgrade infrastructure, or commence community education campaigns to facilitate the movement of high productivity vehicles on key freight routes. Establishing a Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund and providing tax concessions would drive greater uptake of electric delivery vehicles (EVs). The ALC believes such a fund should be valued at $20 million per year, even recommending the Federal Government co-fund up to 50 per cent of the purchase price of an EV. The ALC also recommends the creation of a fund to help local governments develop coordinated urban freight plans, since it is often municipal councils that manage roads and regulate access to warehouses, particularly for heavy vehicles. It will remain to be seen if the government will look at adopting the ALC’s recommendations, but the establishment of new road authorities, funds and programs, along with a concerted effort nationwide to consolidate planning for freight and logistics, bodes well for the future of the road sector. www.infrastructuremagazine.com.au
