President's Welcome
Dear Colleagues
Invitation to the tenth National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Mackay
The Mackay Congress will be the tenth time that local government has gathered together to consider our national approach to issues concerning roads and transport.
The first Congress was held in Moree in 2000 and is credited with being the catalyst for the establishment of the Roads to Recovery Program. Instrumental in the success of the first Congress was former Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon John Anderson and in recognition of our significant achievements at this first Congress ten years ago, we have arranged for him to return this year as our keynote speaker. He will reflect on what has been achieved over the past decade and will contribute his perspectives on the Road to the Future theme for this Congress.
Over the years the Congress has evolved from having a pure roads focus to now having a wider focus on the broader transport challenges facing local government. The annual Congress now aims to achieve a more comprehensive transport approach in both rural and regional Australia, but now also in our urban areas.
However, we have received your unambiguous feedback from last year's Congress that while you like the joint focus, the two areas of focus are quite separate and you would rather spend your valuable time exploring the issues of relevance to your council. That's why we are pioneering a twin track approach for this year's Congress.
Rural/regional and city issues will be separated into concurrent streams and you can choose the one you wish to participate in.
In Mackay our program will include two concurrent sessions during which three options will be available to delegates:
- Option 1: Rural and Regional Transport;
- Option 2: Urban Transport; and
- Option 3: Public Relations Workshop.
This approach recognises the differing perspectives of rural and regional and urban councils on transport.
Having said that, we must remember that our transport networks are interdependent and link the country and the city. What happens to country rail lines has a direct bearing on our urban road systems, and the needs of rural exporters often depend on transport linkages through our cities. That's why we will be aiming to develop a joint policy position document that summarises local government's priorities in roads and transport.
Since last year's Congress in Shepparton, national and international economic circumstances have dramatically changed. Against this background it is appropriate that we review our current local roads and transport strategies.
Since last year's Congress in Shepparton, national and international economic circumstances have dramatically changed. Against this background it is appropriate that we review our current local roads and transport strategies.
We need to remind the Government of the important role that local roads have in Australia's transport system both in rural and regional Australia and in our cities. Our roads make up over 80% of the total Australian road network and carry more than a quarter of total vehicle kilometers travelled. Most journeys, whether for passengers or freight, begin and end on a local road.
We also want to remind the Federal Government that there is little, if any, scope for local government to raise additional own source revenue for upgrading infrastructure. All levels of government must make a contribution.
A key policy direction emerging from the road transport reforms being advanced by the Council of Australian Governments is the charging and financing arrangements for roads. It is important that local government is part of this debate and that we remind other levels of government that funding for local roads is not currently linked to any specific revenue source and must be included in any charging scheme that is to be developed.
I look forward to delegates from as many councils as possible attending the Congress so that we can have your input into developing a new Roads and Transport Strategy that local government can put on the table in the context of the 2010 election. In the context of the financial challenges we face globally and the infrastructure challenges we face here at home, there has not been a more important time in the past ten years for us to plot a new course for our sector and for the communities we serve.
See you in Mackay.
Geoff Lake
President
Australian Local Government Association
