Part 2: Expense Measures Transport and Regional Services

Transport and Regional Services

Badgerys Creek properties — maintenance

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	0.7	0.7	0.6	-

The Government will provide $2.0 million over three years for repairs to, and maintenance of, properties owned by the Australian Government at Badgerys Creek in Western Sydney.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority — long-term funding strategy

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Civil Aviation Safety Authority	6.9	5.8	5.6	9.6
Related revenue ($m)
Civil Aviation Safety Authority	4.9	4.8	9.2	14.1
Australian Customs Service	-	-	-	..
Australian Taxation Office	-	-	-	-5.0
Total	4.9	4.8	9.2	9.1

The Government will implement a long-term funding strategy for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to enable it to become financially self-sustainable. The net impact on the budget will be $0.1 million over four years.

Prior to implementation of the strategy, CASA’s resourcing was projected to fall short of its financial needs. The strategy will include the restructuring of CASA’s operations to ensure more efficient delivery of services and an increased level of cost recovery through user charges.

The new cost recovery arrangements for CASA will be phased in from 1 January 2006. The current cost recovery arrangements are based on excise and customs duty applying to aviation gasoline and aviation turbine fuel. Changes in the aviation industry have resulted in lower fuel consumption, weakening CASA’s financial position. The new cost recovery arrangements will apply across a broader range of industry beneficiaries and will be determined following industry consultation.

The excise and customs duty rates applying to aviation gasoline and aviation turbine fuel will decrease from 2008-09 once the new cost recovery and restructuring initiatives are fully in place.

Maritime Emergency Towage Services

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp

The Government will provide funding in 2004-05 and 2005-06 to ensure the maintenance of current maritime emergency towage capability and services around the Australian coastline. As this funding will be made available on the basis of a competitive tender, provision for it has been made in the Contingency Reserve.

Maritime salvage capability and services

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide Adsteam Marine Limited with funding of up to $2.0 million in 2004-05 to maintain the current maritime salvage capability and services.

Further information can be found in the press release of 19 January 2005 issued by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services.

Maritime search and rescue — increased capability

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Australian Maritime Safety Authority	1.5	17.2	17.3	18.0
Related capital ($m)
Australian Maritime Safety Authority	0.6	0.1	-	-

The Government will provide $54.7 million over four years (including $0.7 million capital funding) to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to enhance search and rescue capability throughout Australia.

From mid-2006, dedicated search and rescue turbine-engine aircraft will be contracted to replace the current contracted fixed wing piston engine aircraft. The turbine-engine aircraft will provide a faster and longer-range search and rescue service, with an all-weather and night operations capability.

The capital funding will be used for improved technology systems supporting the enhanced search and rescue capability.

Motor vehicle standards — improved service standards and lower fees

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	2.0	2.1	2.3	2.4
Related revenue ($m)
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-1.6	-1.6	-1.6	-1.6

The Government will provide $8.8 million over four years to the Department of Transport and Regional Services to continue vehicle safety regulation and research consistent with the Department’s responsibilities under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.

The Government will also reduce fees for motor vehicle identification compliance plates by 20 per cent in order to more closely align revenues with the cost of administering vehicle compliance arrangements.

Payment scheme for aircraft en route charges — extension

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	5.6	-	-	-

The Government will provide $5.6 million in 2005-06 to continue the scheme for meeting the cost of en route charges levied by Airservices Australia. Regional airline operators, whose aircraft have a maximum take-off weight of 15 tonnes or less, will continue to be eligible for the scheme. Assistance will also be extended for services provided on sole operator routes by aircraft between 15 and 21 tonnes used by operators wholly based in Western Australia and in recognition of its long distance regional destinations that require servicing by larger aircraft. Operators of aeromedical services, such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service, are also eligible for assistance under the scheme.

Pentagon Memorial Fund donation

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide a donation of $0.2 million in 2004-05 to the Pentagon Memorial Fund in the United States of America. This memorial will be built in remembrance of those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon (Arlington, Virginia) on 11 September 2001.

Regional Partnerships programme — funding for election commitments

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	2.3	2.5	-	-

The Government will provide $4.8 million over two years to contribute to regional infrastructure and community projects. Funding comprises:

$2.0 million for the Wallan multi-purpose community centre, Victoria;
$600,000 for the East Gippsland rail trail walk, Bairnsdale to Orbost, Victoria;
$460,000 for a study of a proposal for recycling of Brisbane water to the Darling Downs, Queensland;
$400,000 for the Tathra Wharf, New South Wales;
$300,000 for the Adaminaby Snowy Scheme Collection, New South Wales;
$250,000 for the Mandurah Memorial, Western Australia;
$200,000 for the Memorial Walkway through Bi-Centennial Park, Camden, New South Wales;
$200,000 for the Grafton Hockey Club boarding facilities, New South Wales;
$125,000 for the Central Coast Volunteer Rescue Squad, New South Wales;
$80,000 for the Imlay Special Needs Group Toy Library, New South Wales;
$62,000 for the Castledare miniature railway, Western Australia;
$60,000 for the Lakes Entrance Safe Beach, Victoria; and
$50,000 for the Newman Town Centre revitalisation, Western Australia.

Road safety — trial for a national driver education scheme

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.0 million in 2004-05 to establish a trial driver education scheme for new provisional licence holders. The course will assist novice drivers to understand their own limitations and how they can reduce the risks they face on the road. The motor vehicle industry and the New South Wales and Victorian Governments will also contribute to the costs of the trial.

This measure was announced on 24 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Building Our National Transport Future.

Road Safety Black Spot Programme — extension of funding

Expense ($m)
	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-	45.0	45.0	-

The Government will provide $90.0 million over two years from 2006-07 to continue the Road Safety Black Spot Programme. The programme seeks to identify and address dangerous locations on Australia’s roads.