Roads Australia
ARF (soon to become Roads Australia) has launched a new major policy initiative – Policy Chapters on important industry issues. We are looking to draw on members’ expertise to encourage positive change in the industry and the community.
Launched at the ARF National Roads Summit, 17/18 June 2008, three policy chapters are being established to support policy makers in the key areas of congestion, capacity and sustainability:
Managing Congestion - Chaired by Phil Mumford (Queensland Motorways)
Congestion is a major problem for Australia. Options include new road pricing mechanisms. However they will not find political or public acceptance unless they are combined with improved public transport alternatives and revenue objectives which consumers are prepared to fund.
Capacity / Resource Levelling - Chaired by David Stuart-Watt (RTA)
When governments do not co-operate in planning, industry pays the price by funding underutilized human and material resources. The other side of the coin is that resources may not be there when demand is high. It is important that Governments are aware of this issue and well informed of our members’ capacity.
Sustainability - Chaired by Tim Boyle (SKM)
The road industry is a significant resource user – both in vehicle use and construction. Already vehicles are the subject of intense environmental attention and in some quarters this is an element in public opposition to roads. We can expect public interest in these areas to intensify and move increasingly into resource usage in road construction. Our industry needs to be pro-active in ensuring that the community see the industry as aware and responsible. Each of these policy chapters runs parallel with portfolio responsibilities assigned to state roads ministers under the new National Transport Plan. It is encouraging that each relevant road authority has agreed to participate in the policy chapters and that the National Transport Commission has also agreed to collaborate with them. The Policy Chapters will meet regularly in person or via video conferencing. They will develop issues papers for dissemination to policy makers and seek engagement in the policy process. They will also form networks with common areas of interest, including lunches and breakfasts with relevant policy makers and experts.
The workshop will be highly interactive and there will be significant opportunity for participants to contribute their perspectives and preferred directions. An information pack will be sent to participants containing the agenda and some reference material in each subject area.
The workshop will be sponsored by the RTA.
Please respond directly to our Policy Director, David Jarwood – davidjarwood@roads.org.au or 0413 288 403.
If you wish to make any special requests, modify or cancel your booking please contact Roads Australia directly.