Update by: Amanda Hancock, Regional Strategic Infrastructure Coordinator
Regional Roads and Transport Group
As we are just three (3) months away from the end of the 2024/25 financial year, the RRTG is now focusing firmly on ensuring delivery of the 2024/25 Transport and Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) works program. As of the end of March 2025, the region was 62% spent, above the state average of 56%. Councils are reminded to ensure they progress payment claims and review project progress to minimise the workload at year's end and identify any potential unspent funds for reallocation.
The Technical Committee has also been reviewing new projects for admission into the 4-year program with some very healthy debates regarding regional strategic priorities, aided by our new Program Management Tool (PMT). The last meeting alone saw 27 projects reviewed and admitted to the program, with funding to be allocated according to the program management guidelines as funds become available.
IPWEAQ 2-Day Workshop
Recently, Council officers from across the region attended a 2-day Drainage for Road Design Workshop in Cairns facilitated by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEAQ). The workshop was partly funded by the Statewide Capability Development Fund (SCDF). A further workshop on Unsealed Roads will be held in Cairns at the end of May 2025.
Annual Technical Tour
We are currently organising our annual Roads Technical Tour, which Douglas Shire Council have kindly agreed to host, with assistance from Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council.
The tour will be taking place in October 2025 and is usually very well attended by council officers, representatives from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR), and the Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ). The objectives of the Technical Tour include viewing TIDS projects across our region, sharing project experiences and exploring innovative solutions to problems. This helps councils to gain additional knowledge and ideas, and better understand the variations between council areas and the network they support. Coastal councils have different challenges from inland councils, and this knowledge fosters empathy between members when discussing new projects, and helps to build relationships within the Technical Committee. Trust, honesty, and comradery within the group are essential to the team dynamic and strengthening relationships, which allows council officers to connect with other regional experts to assist with identifying solutions to problems.
The tour will be an ideal opportunity to view the impacts and ongoing works following post TC Jasper, and will include a trip through the Daintree to Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council.
Date Claimers:
- Regional Road & Transport Group Technical Committee (RRTGT TC) – Friday 23 May 2025, Cairns
- Unsealed Roads Workshop – Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 May 2025, Cairns
- Regional Road & Transport Group (RRTG) – Thursday 5 June 2025, Mareeba