The effectiveness of increased parking levies in helping to reduce traffic congestion has been called into question.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported this week on what it claimed were internal government communications obtained under FOI that point to a dearth of research on the effectiveness of the higher levies. The NSW Government increased the levies on off-street non-residential parking spaces from July 1.
The report also quoted a parking industry source as saying there was no reduction in the numbers using parking spaces.
In other news, an international transport expert has called for an extensive tram network to alleviate Adelaide’s transport challenges, according to the Advertiser.
And the West Australian reported last week that the State Government was doubling the number of speed cameras across the State and preparing to roll-out point-to-point cameras.
Roads Australia recently hosted its second successful industry lunch in the Northern Territory, at which the Territory’s strong economic performance was highlighted by Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer, Delia Lawrie.
Sponsored by Clayton Utz, last month’s lunch was addressed by both Minister Lawrie and NT Transport Minister, Gerry McCarthy.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released last month showed, in seasonally adjusted terms, that the Territory was the only jurisdiction in the nation to record an increase in retail trade in July 2009.
In addition, last month’s ANZ Regional and Rural Quarterly report found that the Territory’s economy continued to brush aside the broader trends across Australia and the globe, confirming the strong retail spending trend and highlighting the fastest growing employment market of any Australian state or region.
Key findings in the ANZ report for the Northern Territory included:
The report did note a drop in non-residential building approvals over the past 18 months, although it said the value of residential building approvals was increasing.
Roads Australia Chief Executive, Ian Webb, says the success of recent RA events in the Territory and Tasmania were indicative of the strong interest by members in establishing long-term working relationships with the governments of those jurisdictions.
“As a national organisation with a national focus, Roads Australia is committed to building strong networks for our members across all Australian states and territories, and these events are an important platform for bringing industry and government together,” he said.
Tenders have been called for construction of the $48 million Dilston Bypass on Tasmania’s East Tamar Highway, with the tender process closing on November 4.
Announcing the call for tenders last month, Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, and Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister, Graeme Sturges, said the Federal-funded project would deliver nearly 2 km of dual carriageway and 7 km of 3-lane highway, as well as replace the existing Barnards Creek Bridge with a new four-lane bridge.
The Launceston City Council has approved a revised development application which incorporates a southbound underpass ramp on the southern junction and fog detection speed reduction signs for the northern junction.
The construction contract is expected to be awarded before Christmas, with work getting underway in the New Year.
Works on the Western Highway duplication between Ballarat and Stawell in western Victoria are set to start early next year, with the first contract for an 8km section through to Burrumbeet now out to tender.
Under the current plans, construction will be largely on the northern side of the highway, creating a new two-lane carriageway for Ballarat-bound traffic, with the existing highway converted to carry two lanes of west-bound traffic.
This new divided highway will continue from the western end of the Ballarat Bypass at the Sunraysia Highway, to just east of the Burrumbeet rail overpass.
The Ballarat to Burrumbeet section is expected to be completed in early 2012.
One of the world’s leading transport minds has arrived in Adelaide as the State’s next Thinker in Residence.
Fred Hansen is General Manager of TriMet, the public transport provider in Portland, Oregon, and a former Deputy Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency under President Clinton.
SA Premier Mike Rann this week described Mr Hansen as a world leader in the field of transport and integrated land use, renowned for his innovative approach to the provision of public transport.
“Fred believes that land use and transportation must be fully integrated if we are to provide for the mobility needs of our citizens as well as addressing global climate change,” Mr Rann said.
“This residency will challenge traditional development patterns through debate, critical thinking and innovative action on integrated transport, urban form and planning.”
During his residency Mr Hansen will focus on three key objectives, underpinned by the principles of the Draft 30-year Plan for Greater Adelaide:
Mr Hansen’s residency began on 2 October with a three-week visit, with a further visit late in 2010.
The next Roads Australia Forum, a one-day ‘state of the nation’ meeting for road industry leaders, takes place in Brisbane on October 28.
The much anticipated Forum, held every six months, provides participants with an overview of key news and issues affecting the road industry, as well an opportunity to network with their industry peers.
Among the industry leaders who will be speaking at this month’s Forum are Qld Transport and Main Roads Director General, David Stewart; John Shaw Medal winner, Dr May Lay; and CRRP Executive Director, Neil Aplin.
Click here for the full program of speakers and topics, as well as details on how to register for this significant industry event.
Submitted by Mark Bowmer on Friday October 9th 2009 2:35pm
© 2008 Roads Australia. Roads Australia does not warrant, guarantee or make any representations regarding the currency, accuracy, correctness, reliability, useability, or any other aspect, of the material presented in Roads Australia Insider, nor of material provided by others to Roads Australia and presented in this newsletter, nor of material provided by others and accessed from this site using links or connections to their Web sites or distribution services. The user accepts sole responsibility and all risk for using material presented on or accessed from Roads Australia Insider. Roads Australia does not accept any liability for any loss or damage which may be incurred as a result of using Roads Australia Insider or any material presented in or accessed from Roads Australia Insider.