Regional Road Group - December 2012
Roads Alliance TIDS Cuts to 12/13 and 13/14
• The 12/13 works program has now been reduced down from $5,301,488 to $2,773,934 – these being the TIDS subsidy amounts.
• The majority of this project funding has been deferred to 13/14, which has now inflated the 13/14 project allocations to $5,206,032.
• For 13/14 the FNQRRG allocation is $2,442,549, meaning a further $2,763,483 has to be deferred or removed from the 13/14 works program.
• The Technical Committee has scheduled an extra meeting on Wednesday 12 December to tackle this task.
• It is IMPORTANT to note that carryovers from 12/13 into 13/14 will not be permitted. Any TIDS subsidy not spent and claimed will be lost!
SafeST TIDS Cuts to 12/13 and 13/14
• The 12/13 SafeST TIDS allocation for TMR Far North region has been cut from $347,590 to $182,177 which equates to a 46% cut.
• The 13/14 allocation has been cut from $400,000 to $254,491, which equates to a 36% cut.
• The Technical Committee will also reduce the 12/13 and 13/14 SafeST works program.
RRG Boundary Review
Feedback to the Roads Alliance Board is required by 17 December 2012, however it is great to note that Wujal Wujal wish to remain as a full member of FNQRRG and be an observer for the Cape York Regional Transport Group. The situation with Croydon and Etheridge potentially joining FNQRRG has not been determined.
TIDS Funding Model
The Roads Alliance is planning to review the distribution break-up to RRGs once the boundary review is completed and new RRGs are finalised for 13/14. The methodology for this distribution hasn't been reviewed since the inception of the RA and obviously the landscape has changed significantly across the state in that time. The original distribution model basically used LRRS length and population. The Roads Alliance Board has advised the new distribution model will be different and not as heavily dependent on LRRS length. Regardless, FNQRRG has written to the RAB highlighting potential issues with the use of LRRS lengths in the new TIDS funding distribution model.
Kirrama Range Road
On a brighter note, $2.5 million maximum of TMR special funding (over and above TIDS funding) has been made available for the Kirrama Range Road upgrade, conditional upon matching funds on a 50/50 basis to be contributed by Cassowary Coast and the road being opened and trafficable. Cassowary Coast is currently working through the details.
Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield Link
The Planning Report is currently in the midst of the public consultation phase which ends on 10 December. Once the consultation phase is completed, the findings will be collated and the vision strategy will be prepared and presented Council Meetings at Cairns, Wujal Wujal and Cook for endorsement. This is likely to be in January 2013.
Pending endorsement by the three Councils, the vision strategy report will be presented to the first WTMA meeting of 2013 for consideration and approval.
Provided the vision strategy reflects an upgrade of Woobadda Creek Crossing and approval of the vision strategy is received from WTMA, an application for construction of the Woobadda Creek Crossing will be submitted to WTMA for permit approval.
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator – Workshop
After some reluctance to consult, the NHVR has agreed to conduct workshops with the FNQRRG and Wide Bay and Burnett RRGs. This will allow the NHVR to gauge a Council perspective, and will help to inform the Ministerial Guidelines and other support measures being developed by the NHVR.
The workshops will focus on testing processes for heavy vehicle route assessments and access decisions by Councils to determine if these satisfy the requirements of the NHVR which takes full effect from July 2013. Advanced Fatigue Management will also be discussed.
It is planned to undertake the FNQRRG workshop between January and March 2013 in Cairns.
Bridge Asset Management Software
RICOR, Pitt & Sherry and ARRB has each submitted costed proposals for the supply, installation, training and support of their respective systems. These alternative proposals will be assessed by the Technical Committee this month.
Alternative Timber Bridge Inspection & Maintenance Manual
The Roads Alliance Board has rejected FNQRRG's application (at 100% subsidy) to the State Wide Capability Development Fund for the development of a manual based on the principles and methodologies of "Timber Restoration Systems Pty Ltd". Cassowary Coast, and to a lesser extent Cairns and Tablelands, have successfully used Timber Restoration Systems (TRS) in recent years and it was hoped the manual could be developed for use by all Queensland Councils and TMR. Requests for support have been sent to other Councils and organisations that do use TRS, with a view to resubmitting the application.
Roads Alliance Board
Greg Hallam has resumed the role of Chair of the RAB effective immediately. He will also continue to act as Chair throughout 2013 in line with the established protocol between LGAQ and the TMR, where Chairmanship of the Board is rotated on an annual basis between both organisations. The interim membership of the RAB is:
• Greg Hallam (LGAQ – Chair)
• Greg Hoffman (LGAQ)
• Simone Talbot (LGAQ)
• Miles Vass (TMR)
• Joshua Hannan (TMR)
Roads Alliance – 10 Year Review
The Roads Alliance celebrated its 10th year anniversary of inception this year. De Chastel & Associates has undertaken a thorough review of the RA and a copy of the review report is on the FNQROC website.
TMR Technical Standards Review
TMR is currently undertaking a review of all Technical Standards with the focus of the review being "best value for money" without compromising safety to the road user. Councils tend to use these standards and there is a sense that the standards could be placing unnecessary cost impositions on projects. Councils are free to provide input on the review.
Next Meeting Dates
• FNQRRG TC – Friday 15 March 2013, Cairns Regional Council Chambers, Cairns (time tba)
• FNQRRG - Monday 11 February 2012, Tablelands Regional Council, Mabel Street, Atherton commencing at 1.30pm following the FNQROC Board Meeting.