Roads Australia
The Australian Road Forum welcomes the $22.3 billion AusLink 2 package of land transport funding announced in tonight’s Federal Budget.
The funding will achieve real value if it comes with a commitment to long-term planning and co-operation between all levels of Government, according to ARF President, Ray Fisher.
“Federal road funding in particular has remained fairly constant in real terms over the past five years, so tonight’s funding commitment is good news,” Mr Fisher said.
“In terms of road transport infrastructure, national funding should be prioritised according to where it can deliver the best economic outcomes - that is, on the basis of productivity - balanced, of course, with a realistic commitment to maintaining those road assets.”
Mr Fisher said the ARF also welcomed the commitment to the Black Spots program.
“According to the National Road Safety Action Plan for 2007/08, every dollar spent on making our roads safer returns five dollars in economic benefit,” he said.
“We urge governments at all levels to continue to focus their efforts and appropriate levels of funding on reducing the devastating social, physical and economic cost of road trauma.”
Mr Fisher praised the co-operative work done to date by Federal and State governments on developing AusLink corridor strategies.
“While this work is not complete it clearly demonstrates that major increases in investment are needed and it has obviously guided and influenced tonight’s Budget decision,” he said.
“The ARF hopes all players can put aside parochial and sectional interests to ensure that future road planning and funding is based on a long-term, bi-partisan assessment of national needs, and thus delivers the best results for all Australians.”
Submitted by Mark Bowmer on Tuesday May 8th 2007 9:33pm