2. Compendium of Priorities and Initiatives (continued)
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
Better Regions Program
Under the Better Regions Program, the Government has committed to assist regions build on their strengths, improve liveability and create jobs.
Through the Better Regions Program the Government is providing $176 million over four years from 2008 to help local communities deliver local infrastructure and other regional community projects. Better Regions funds commitments made by the Government during the 2007 election campaign.
Community Infrastructure Program
The Community Infrastructure Program is boosting local economic development and supporting jobs in communities around the country. It includes funding of $250 million in 2008‑09 for all councils and shires to address immediate critical community infrastructure needs.
The Government is also providing $550 million over two years under the Community Infrastructure Program — Strategic Projects for major community infrastructure projects such as town halls, libraries, community centres and sports centres. This initiative is part of the Government's Nation Building and Jobs Plan.
Local Government Financial Assistance Grants
Local Government Financial Assistance Grants are provided under the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995. They have a general purpose and an identified local road component, both of which are untied to enable councils to fund local infrastructure and service priorities.
Local government grants commissions have been established in each state and the Northern Territory to recommend the distribution of these grants to local governing bodies in accordance with the Act and its accompanying National Principles. The 2009‑10 estimated grant payment of $1.9 billion is $47.2 million more than the 2008‑09 payment.
South Australian councils will also receive $58.2 million in supplementary local road funding under existing arrangements from 2007‑08 to 2010‑11 to address the relative disadvantage of South Australian councils in the local road component of the Financial Assistance Grants.
Australian Council of Local Government
On 18 September 2008, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government announced the establishment of the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) to forge a new cooperative engagement between the Commonwealth and local government.
ACLG held its first meeting on 18 November 2008 where over 400 mayors and shire presidents from councils and shires across Australia and representatives from state and territory governments met at Parliament House, Canberra.
An ACLG Steering Committee has been established which will continue the engagement, policy coordination and close cooperation between local government and the Australian Government between the annual meetings with mayors and shire presidents. The Steering Committee met on 5 February 2009. The next ACLG Meeting will be held on 25 June 2009.
East Kimberley Development Package
The East Kimberley region in Western Australia, including its Indigenous communities, will benefit from the significant injection of funds from the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government. The Australian Government is contributing $195 million over 2008‑09 and 2009‑10 to support economic development in the region around Kununurra.
The investment package is part of the Government's $4.7 billion Nation Building initiative and is to be matched by the Western Australian Government's investment in the Ord Expansion project.
The Government's investments are being targeted to meet the current and future social and economic needs of the East Kimberley region, including infrastructure to support sustainable growth and improve productivity, work training and productive employment opportunities, and investment in much needed social infrastructure.
Nation Building Program
Funding of $4.4 billion will be provided in 2009‑10 for road and rail initiatives across Australia, including in regional areas, to support jobs and stimulate the economy.
This funding is part of the Australian Government's more than $26 billion injection into our national road and rail network through the Nation Building Program. Projects will be funded across the interstate transport network as well as to freight corridors connecting regional Australia with major cities and ports.
As well as putting in place the modern, well‑planned transport infrastructure vital to Australia's long term prosperity, the Australian Government's record investment in this Program will support jobs and provide an immediate stimulus to local economies.
Black Spot Program
The Black Spot program provides funding for safety works such as roundabouts, crash barriers and street lights at places where there have been serious crashes or where serious crashes are likely.
Funding of $144.7 million is available in 2008‑09 (this includes the additional $60 million announced in December 2008 as part of the Nation Building package and an additional $30.0 million announced in the February 2009 Nation Building and Jobs Plan). An additional $60 million was also allocated to the Black Spot Program in 2009‑10 bringing total funding to $119.5 million.
Funding of $59.5 million per year is available from 2010‑11 to 2013‑14. Each state and territory has a set annual allocation based on proportion of population and number of fatal crashes. State and territory allocations have recently been revised and the new allocations apply from 2009‑10.
Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program
The Government announced $70 million for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program in the 2008‑09 Budget. The program is aimed at reducing the proportion of road accidents involving heavy vehicles by targeting heavy vehicle driver fatigue and speed. It is also aimed at increasing productivity by enhancing the capacity of existing roads. The program is available to state and territory road authorities to provide funds for projects such as rest areas, truck parking and decoupling bays, road and bridge enhancements, and technology trials.
The Government has received submissions for the first round of the Program and will call for submissions from state and territory road authorities for the second round of $40 million later this year.
Roads to Recovery program
The Roads to Recovery program provides funding direct to local councils for road works chosen by the councils and to states and territories for roads in areas where there are no councils. Each funding recipient has a set allocation of funding over a program life. Funding for the program has been increased from $307.5 million to $350 million a year for the five‑year period 2009‑10 to 2013‑14.
Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program
Funding of $150 million during 2008‑09 and 2009‑10 has been provided to accelerate the installation of boom gates and other active rail crossing control mechanisms at high‑risk level crossings throughout Australia under the new Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program. The aim of the program is to improve the safety and efficiency of the transport system in Australia.
The program will provide for the installation of boom gates and other active protection measures such as active advance warning systems.
Infrastructure Australia
Infrastructure Australia, the advisory council established to provide advice to the Australian Government on infrastructure issues, completed a national audit of infrastructure and presented its findings in December 2008. It provided the Infrastructure Priority List to the Government in March 2009 which has informed infrastructure investment decisions.
In its national Audit, Infrastructure Australia identified seven themes for action, the majority of which affect regional areas. The themes are:
- Developing a more extensive, globally competitive broadband system;
- Developing more effective ports and associated land transport systems to cope with exports;
- Development of our freight networks;
- Transforming our cities, particularly through increasing public transport capacity in our cities;
- More extensive national energy grids to enable greater flexibility and competition in the nation's power and gas systems, whilst creating opportunities for the development of renewable power sources;
- More adaptable and resilient water systems to cope with climate change; and
- Improved services for indigenous communities.
Nation Building Plan for the Future
This Budget allocates an additional $8.5 billion for nationally significant transport infrastructure projects across Australia that are critical to boosting our economy's productivity.
Projects will help to connect our regional areas with major towns and cities, improve the movement of freight, and will help bring about long term economic benefits to regional Australia. Projects of particular benefit to regional Australia include: Regional Rail Express in Victoria, Pacific Highway — Kempsey Bypass in New South Wales and Oakajee Port Common User Facilities in Western Australia.
A particular highlight of the Plan is the Government's investment in Australia's key freight route, Network 1 (N1), which stretches from Melbourne to Cairns. Work will soon start on key sections of the Pacific, Bruce and Hume highways as well as the key feeder roads: the Ipswich Motorway and the new Hunter Expressway.
Office of Northern Australia
The Office of Northern Australia (ONA) was established in March 2008 to:
- provide advice on sustainable development issues in or affecting northern Australia
- improve coordination between governments, businesses and communities in northern Australia and when they are involved in issues about northern Australia.
Funding of $2 million a year for four years was provided in the 2008‑09 Budget.
Remote Aerodrome Inspection Program
The Australian Government's Remote Aerodrome Inspection (RAI) Program provides an aerodrome inspection service for 59 designated Indigenous communities. It was initiated as part of the Australian Government's response to recommendations contained in the report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Normally, aerodrome inspections of this type would be the responsibility of the aerodrome owner/operator. However, they require specialised technical expertise not readily available in remote communities. This Commonwealth‑funded service is seen as a practical way of assisting remote communities heavily reliant on air services.
The program also facilitates training of aerodrome reporting officers as required for compliance with aviation safety regulations.
Funding of $0.3 million in 2009‑10 is being provided for the RAI Program.
Remote Air Services Subsidy Scheme
The Remote Air Services Subsidy Scheme (RASS) subsidises weekly passenger and freight air transportation to communities who would otherwise have no regular access to transport. In 2007‑08 the scheme provided services to approximately 9,000 people in 240 remote communities, including 75 Indigenous communities, in 10 remote regions across the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania. The Government is providing funding of $12.27 million in 2009‑10 to support this program.
Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund
The Government is providing $3 million in the 2009—10 Budget to upgrade remote area airstrips identified under RASS as requiring priority work. This will make them safer and more accessible. The airstrips present a vital lifeline to those living in remote regions, including Indigenous communities, across Australia. The airstrips allow those living in these areas to be supplied with essential items such as medical and business supplies, fresh food and long‑distance educational materials.
Remote Aerodrome Safety Program
The Remote Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP) assists in funding maintenance and repairs to airstrips in remote and isolated communities across Australia. Projects funded under the program help improve the safety and accessibility of airstrips and facilitate the provision of non‑commercial essential community air services including delivery of food supplies, community mail, passenger transport services, medical supplies and medical care. Funding of $7 million is available in 2009‑10 to support this program.
Regional Development Australia
The Australian Government is committed to engaging effectively with regional Australia.
At the 30 July 2008 meeting of the Regional Development Ministers' Council, which includes the Australian Local Government Association, ministers agreed to work together to align RDA closely with state and territory regional development organisations and local government. Following this meeting, the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, has been working with the states and territories and local governments on practical opportunities for more closely aligning RDA with existing regional development organisations. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with New South Wales and arrangements with other states and territories are close to being finalised. These arrangements will see the Australian Government, state and territory governments and local governments working closely together to support the growth and development of regional Australia.
RDA will provide targeted advice to governments about the challenges and opportunities in regional Australia and act as a conduit between government and regional communities. RDA will, for example, undertake consultation and community engagement, regional planning, community development, and promote and facilitate access to government programs.
Regional Development Council
The Australian Government and state, territory and local governments are committed to working together to deliver government policies, programs and services tailored to the needs of regional communities.
The Regional Development Council (RDC) works to facilitate more effective cooperation across all spheres of government to achieve sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes for regional Australians. Its terms of reference are:
- to provide leadership to all areas of government, industry and the community in working collaboratively to achieve sustainable regional development
- to provide a forum for Australian Government, state and territory ministers and local government to consider and facilitate national strategic approaches to sustainable regional development.
Membership of the Council comprises Australian Government, state and territory ministers responsible for regional development and a representative from the Australian Local Government Association. The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government chairs the annual council meetings. The department provides secretariat support to the council.
At its last meeting, on 30 July 2008, the RDC agreed to a set of principles which will form the basis for further work or for closer alignment and integration of regional development activities and structures across all levels of government.
Further information
Further information about these and other infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government initiatives relating to rural and regional Australia is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au.
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