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Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

Election Commitments

Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme — increase in the passenger vehicle rebate to $180 each‑way

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	-0.5	2.9	3.0	3.1	3.2

The Government will provide $25.9 million over five years to increase the each‑way standard passenger vehicle rebate to eligible passengers accompanying a vehicle crossing Bass Strait.

The increase occurs in two tranches. The standard passenger vehicle rebate increased from $150 to $168, from 30 October 2007. Provision for this increase has already been included in the forward estimates. The second increase applies from 1 July 2008, with the standard passenger vehicle rebate increasing from $168 to $180. There will be similar increases for other eligible passenger vehicles (including motor homes, buses, vehicles towing caravans and motor bikes) at an estimated cost of $12.2 million over four years.

The increase will help reduce the cost of travel across Bass Strait, making the cost closer to that associated with driving similar distances on the national highway network. The rebate will be increased annually by the Consumer Price Index.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Better Regions

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	4.2	34.5	45.8	91.5	-

The Government will provide $176.0 million over four years to assist regions build on their strengths, improve liveability and create jobs. The funding will be used to help local communities deliver local infrastructure and other regional community projects.

Funding allocated for Area Consultative Committees will be redirected to fund Regional Development Australia. The exact role of Regional Development Australia will be finalised in consultation with the community. Final funding for Regional Development Australia will be determined once this consultation is complete.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Fort Street High School — noise insulation

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	-	-	4.0	6.0	4.5

The Government will provide $14.5 million over three years to help insulate Fort Street High School in Sydney against aircraft noise.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Infrastructure Australia — establishment

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	0.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	-

The Government will provide $20.0 million over four years to establish Infrastructure Australia, a statutory advisory council with twelve members drawn from industry and government, to work on developing long term solutions for infrastructure bottlenecks and investment in the nation's transport, water, energy and communication assets.

Infrastructure Australia will conduct audits of nationally significant infrastructure; develop an Infrastructure Priority List to guide public and private investment; and provide advice on regulatory reforms that can improve the utilisation of infrastructure networks. In developing the Infrastructure Priority List, Infrastructure Australia will assess projects in terms of specific goals, such as, meeting water and energy needs; traffic congestion in our major cities; efficiently moving freight from regional areas to our ports; and meeting the challenge of climate change.

Future funding to ensure continuation of Infrastructure Australia will be considered prior to the 2011‑12 Budget.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

keys2drive

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	1.5	1.5	4.0	5.0	5.0

The Government will provide $17.0 million over five years to support the keys2drive driver education program developed by Australian motoring organisations. Activities under the program include one free professional driving lesson for learner drivers who are accompanied by a parent or mentor; a free interactive CD with live action sessions; an accreditation scheme for professional driving instructors; and a one‑stop novice driver website.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Office of Northern Australia — establishment

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	-	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

The Government will provide $8.0 million over four years to establish the Office of Northern Australia which will provide high level advice to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government on achieving sustainable development outcomes. The Office will also provide a source of environmental, economic and social policy expertise in relation to Northern Australia.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme — extension to King Island and Flinders Island

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	-	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7

The Government will extend the coverage of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to include eligible sea‑freight travelling between King Island and Flinders Island and the Tasmanian mainland from 1 July 2008, at an estimated cost of $2.8 million over four years.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Other measures

Heavy vehicle safety and productivity program

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	-	10.0	20.0	20.0	20.0

The Government will provide $70.0 million over four years to establish a heavy vehicle safety and productivity program. The program will fund trials of technologies to address speed and fatigue; construction of rest stops and parking areas on highways; and upgrades to freight routes.

Remote Air Services Subsidy — continuation

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	-	7.2	5.9	5.8	5.7

The Government will provide $24.6 million over four years to continue the Remote Air Services Subsidy scheme. The scheme provides a subsidy to air service operators to provide regular weekly air transport services for the carriage of passengers and goods, such as fresh foods, medical supplies and spare parts, to 239 isolated communities in remote areas of Australia.

Tackling urban congestion and planning

Expense ($m)

	2007‑08	2008‑09	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government	75.0	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $75.0 million in 2007‑08 towards the development of feasibility and planning studies for projects to address urban congestion. The projects include the Western Metro rail link, and the eastern section of the M5 in New South Wales; components of the East‑West transport corridor, and Western Ring Road in Victoria; key sections of the Bruce Highway and Gateway Motorway in Queensland; a transport master plan for the Perth Airport, Western Australia; and a Transport Sustainability Study in South Australia.

The studies will involve the planning, design and development of business cases, including cost‑benefit analysis and identifying, in some cases, possible state‑specific improvements to public transport. The studies will be undertaken by the respective State Governments commencing in 2007‑08.

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