Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Making our road infrastructure a national priority

Concern about how the road infrastructure required over the next 20-50 years is to be provided has led to the inaugural National Rural Roads Congress. Hosted by Moree Plains Shire Council and titled 'Creating Solutions', this Congress will be staged from 5-8 March.

Situated on the North West Plains of New South Wales, west of the Great Divide and at the junction of the Newell and Gwydir Highways, Moree township, population 10,000, is an ideal location for such an event.

Featuring speakers from Local, State and Federal Government and industry leaders, the congress will bring together representatives from across the nation, including transport experts, industry and community representatives.

A joint initiative between Moree Plains Shire Council and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), it will enable stakeholders to come together to work on solutions to meet current and future funding needs.

"This is an opportunity for local government to be proactive in finding solutions for road funding," said Moree Plains Mayor, Mike Montgomery. "We need to take initiatives to ensure the rural road network can serve the nation's current and future economic needs. The long term viability of our regions is dependent on this."

ALGA President, Cr John Ross believes this Congress is a must for all Councils. He said it will provide a framework for Local Government to more effectively secure the road funding needed for regional economic development.

Keynote speaker, Jerry Faye, President of American Public Works Association and Executive Director of the Department of Transport in Washington State, will outline rural road funding policies in the US. John Hutching from Local Government New Zealand will also be participating.

Other issues to be covered include the following.

• The social costs of poor roads
• Regional development
• Local Government self help initiatives
• Regional cooperation
• The New Zealand experience
• Financing Infrastructure
• Brokering solutions

A workshop titled 'Creating Solutions' will give delegates a range of ideas to take back to their Councils as they work to address this important issue.

For further information on the Congress, contact Fiona James, telephone (02) 6757 3212

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