Regional Road Group - May 2013

Works Programs

There has been no change in the claimed expenditure levels since the last newsletter.  A statewide comparison to the end of March for all RRGs is shown below for the Roads Alliance TIDS category.  Please note FNQRRG is actually at 71% - there is a slight error in the allocation amount and there is some claimed expenditure which had not been credited in the TMR system at the end of March. 

Due to the completion of a number of projects deferred to 13/14 by Cairns and Cassowary Coast, FNQRRG could be at 100% expenditure to date.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE TIDS CLAIMS ARE SUBMITTED – CARRYOVERS FROM 12/13 INTO 13/14 WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.  ANY TIDS SUBSIDY NOT SPENT AND CLAIMED WILL BE LOST!

Unfortunately all efforts to secure additional SafeST funding were unsuccessful.  This has meant a reduction from $300,000 to $159,000 in 13/14 for a Cassowary Coast project tied to the Innisfail State College, and the loss of three small projects for Tablelands in 12/13 and 13/14.  A fourth Tablelands project also was earmarked for removal from the program, however approximately $32,000 has been transferred from the Roads Alliance TIDS to SafeST to ensure the project tied to St Stephen’s, Mareeba is delivered.

FNQRRG Assists

FNQRRG has assisted Gladstone RRG to retain their full works program across 12/13 and 13/14.  Due to flooding delays earlier in 2013, Gladstone will be unable to deliver a $290,000 Roads Alliance TIDS project in 12/13.  With the “no carryover” edict in place, they would have lost this funding and consequently the project.  As Cairns and Cassowary Coast have completed 13/14 projects, a “swap” was done whereby Cairns will claim an extra $290,000 in 12/13 of 13/14 funding, and Gladstone will retain its project in 13/14.

The Roads Alliance Board have been asked and encouraged to take this goodwill gesture into account during current deliberations to review the TIDS funding allocation distribution across the state!

Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield Link – Woobadda Creek Crossing

It looks like construction of the Woobadda Creek crossing is finally locked and loaded after many years of planning and negotiation!  WTMA conditions have been finalised and a detailed design has been completed.  We all look forward to the start of construction in the very near future. 

Kirrama Range Road

There is better news afoot for Kirrama Range Road.  Design and costing for the upgrade project has been completed. The State Government has confirmed its $2.5m commitment and the Federal Government has conditionally made an offer of $1m.  Cassowary Coast has committed funding in its current budget.  It is hoped works will commence sooner rather than later and the road will be opened to traffic by 2014.

Proposed TIDS "One Bucket" Funding Model

Darlene Irvine and I attended the Roads Alliance Board's workshop on the proposed TIDS "One Bucket" proposal in Brisbane on Tuesday 23 April.  FNQRRG submitted extensive prior comment for consideration and contributed extensively at the workshop.  In general, the proposal is positive however there are a few "sticking" points.

• Regional Airport projects will be eligible for funding from TIDS which sounds logical – however the former RADS (Regional Airport Development Scheme, formerly $2.9m) has been cut completely.  This is a subtle shift of cost and responsibility to RRGs.
• There is now no guaranteed funding or annual allocation for TMR LRRS (apart from routine maintenance).  Furthermore there is no requirement for projects on the TMR LRRS network to be included in an RRG's project prioritisation and program development process.  They can be included at the discretion of the TMR Regional Director, however there is absolutely no incentive to do this as there would be a risk of losing 20% of the project funding to higher ranked projects. This is a distinct change in Roads Alliance policy however in practice this has not been occurring in FNQRRG anyway.

IPWEAQ North Queensland Branch Conference

Just a reminder the 2013 IPWEAQ North Queensland Branch Conference is being hosted by Cook Shire Council at the Cooktown Events Centre on 15-17 May.  Please refer to the IPWEA website for details.  IPWEA is the peak body for public works engineering in Australia and all engineering professionals in the region are encouraged to attend.

Next Technical Committee Meeting

The next FNQRRG Technical Committee meeting will be held in Cooktown on the Wednesday afternoon (15 May) leading into the IPWEAQ North Queensland Branch Conference mentioned previously.  Members will leave FNQROC at 7am and inspect the recently completed "rock fall" structure on Barron Gorge Road.  Depending on weather and road condition, the touring party will then travel up the Cape Tribulation-Bloomfield link where a number of Roads Alliance TIDS and NDRRA projects have been completed recently by Cairns and Cook.  Hopefully the last inspection of Woobadda Creek in its current state will also take place!

Next Meeting Dates

• FNQRRG - Monday 3 June 2013, Civic Reception Room, Ground Floor, Cairns Regional Council, Spence Street, Cairns commencing at 1.30pm following the FNQROC Board Meeting 

• FNQRRG TC - Wednesday 15 May 2013, Cook Shire Council, Cooktown commencing at 2pm