Regional Roads Update - March 2014
QRA Presentation
CEO of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Graeme Newton, gave a presentation to the RRTG at its meeting. Key points from his presentation were:
• Positive feedback to the State Government on the "Betterment" program from Councils would be advantageous in future.
• Deadline for completion of work from the 2011 and 2012 events is 30 June 2014 – the Federal Inspectorate will strictly enforce this deadline meaning any works after this date will not be reimbursed.
• Ensure there are no delays with the close out of these projects – QRA has a standing offer to sit down with Council staff and workshop through the close out process and documentation.
• There is a Productivity Commission review into the NDRRA program.
2013/14 Works Program
Progress on the 2013/14 works program is reasonable and all projects are expected to be fully completed and claimed by 30 June 2014. Expenditure is still at 44%, however it is known that certain works have been completed but expenditure has not been claimed which will propel that figure higher.
It is imperative that TIDS claims are submitted regularly and all funding is legitimately claimed prior to 30 June – this message was rammed home by Alliance representatives.
As reported in the last newsletter there was some unallocated SafeST funding available for 13/14. By the time the Technical Committee meeting came around this figure had grown from $159,099 to $181,534 – a little added bonus. This funding was allocated as follows:
|
Council |
Location |
Project |
Total Project Cost |
SafeST Funding |
|
|
Our Lady Help of Christians |
Construct footpath on south side of |
$35,000 |
$16,534 |
|
|
|
Replace footpath on school boundary. |
$60,000 |
$30,000 |
|
|
St |
Construct “missing” 80m footpath leading to Pedestrian Xing at Moody / Pease / Albert. |
$20,000 |
$10,000 |
|
|
Pease Street |
Construct footpath on |
$90,000 |
$45,000 |
|
Tablelands |
|
Construct footpath along |
$80,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Tablelands |
|
Construct footpath along |
$90,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Tablelands |
Maple and Ash Streets |
Safety improvements including crossing and footpath signage and pavement marking. |
$60,000 |
$30,000 |
Woobadda Creek Crossing Project
Naturally no further work has been commenced since Christmas due to rain and the river flow. Once work does commence it is expected to be completed within two to three months. This will be an historic day as this project was first mooted at RRTG and Technical Committee meetings a decade ag in 2004!
Kirrama Range Road Project
This project is progressing very well. Ten out of 11 bridges have been upgraded and completed which allows construction and maintenance traffic to access the road to undertake the other works. It also tends to control public traffic flow (the road is officially closed!).
2014/15 to 2017/18 Works Program
The new draft works program was finally bedded down at the Technical Committee meeting. Only the first two years (2014/15 and 2015/16) were developed as the annual Roads & Transport Alliance TIDS allocation will change from 2015/16 onwards and it also gives the new Councils more time to determine their priorities in the medium term. This draft now goes to the RRTG for consideration. The process was effective, did not cause too much pain and all members left the room with limbs intact!
LRRS Network
Etheridge's North Head Road – Agate Creek Road link was finally considered by the Technical Committee for inclusion on the LRRS network. A good healthy and robust debate was had and it was decided to recommend an adjusted link commencing from Forsayth right through to Cobbold Gorge. This takes in North Head Road, Agate Creek Road (part), Cobbold Gorge Road and totals 44.5km in length, 3km of which is sealed. This recommendation now goes to the RRTG for consideration.
Royalties for the Region – Round 3
Croydon, Etheridge and Tablelands submitted EOIs for Round 3 of the Royalties for the Region Program which closed on 7 February 2014. Here's hoping the region sees some of this funding. Details of the projects submitted are shown below.
|
Council |
Road |
Project |
Total Project Cost |
Funding |
|
Croydon |
|
Construction to sealed standard of 38.5km of existing unsealed road between |
$6.02m |
$3.60m |
|
Etheridge |
( |
Construction to sealed standard of 13.57km between |
$6.80m |
$6.80m |
|
Tablelands |
Opal Street, Mt Garnet (Council-Controlled Non LRRS) |
Construction of new double lane culvert structure including road approaches at Limestone Creek. |
$440,000 |
$440,000 |
National Heavy Vehicle Law and Regulator
The NHVL and NHVR came into effect on 10 February 2014. The NHVR has been literally swamped with a backlog of applications and the first few weeks have been nothing short of chaotic. TMR has been seconded to assist with processing the backlog. The system has had teething problems (one CQ Council received referrals for a road in Tasmania and Victoria!) which are still being ironed out.
LGAQ had intended to have a representative from the NHVR attend RRTG and Technical Committee meetings in the near future – this is up in the air in the short term due to the work load and pressure at the NHVR.
Federal Government's Bridges to Renewal Program
There is still no news on details of the Federal Government's new "Bridges to Renewal" program. This looks to be a valuable program for Councils – well, when we find eventually find out about it – with $300m funding available (on a matching basis) over five years.
Next Meeting Dates
• FNQRRTG - Monday 14 April 2014, Cairns Regional Council, Spence Street, Cairns commencing at 1.30pm following the FNQROC Board Meeting
• FNQRRTG TC – Friday 28 March 2014, Cairns Regional Council, Spence Street, Cairns commencing at 1pm
It should be noted the IPWEAQ North Queensland Branch conference is being hosted by Cassowary Coast Regional Council at Mission Beach on 5-6 June 2014. The Technical Committee meeting is due around that time so will be held in conjunction with the conference.