Update by: Amanda Hancock, Regional Strategic Infrastructure Coordinator
I am pleased to confirm that despite an extremely challenging year, the 2023-24 Transport and Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) program was delivered successfully, with just under 100% of project funds expended against a total of 34 projects. This was despite the significant impacts to the road network experienced across the region in late 2023 and early 2024 and is a testament to the tenacity of our member councils. Attention now turns again to the delivery of projects awarded funding in 24/25. As well as project delivery, the Regional Roads & Transport Group Technical Committee (RRTG TC ) have been busy with several projects, some of which are or have been supported by the Statewide Capability Development Fund (SCDF). These projects include:
- Regional Aerodrome Operational Business Plan – The intent of this project was to provide participating councils with a baseline Operational Business Plan that ensures a consistent approach to the management, maintenance, and renewal of aerodromes over the next 10-20 years. The project was recently completed with participating councils benefitting from the provision of both individual and regional business plans that will assist them with the ongoing management and development of their Aerodrome Operations.
- Regional Aerodrome Safety Audits – In this regional joint purchasing arrangement, Aerodrome Safety Design Services have been engaged to complete safety audits on behalf of participating councils for the next 3 years.
- Regional Procurement & Contract Management training - Training workshops took place towards the end of the financial year with Ochre Legal delivering training on both the Goods & Service suite of procurement and contract documents and Construction Contract Management.
- TIDS Program Management Tool – Work has been progressing well on the development of our new TIDS Program Management Tool. This tool will replace the current MS excel-based systems and aims to facilitate better management create efficiencies and provide a robust audit trail for the TIDS program.
Regional Road and Transport Technical Tour
An important element of the RRTG TC activity is the Annual Technical Tour which provides Council Officers the opportunity to see in person the TIDS projects across the region and share project experience and problem-solving ideas. Last month the technical committee headed out West to view projects undertaken by Etheridge Shire Council, together with a trip out to Gilbert River Bridge accompanied by RRTG Chair, Cr Barry Hughes, Gilbert River Bridge is a low level single lane bridge on the Gulf Development Road which is an essential corridor in our region supporting economic growth (agricultural, mining and tourism), food and supplier (lifeline route) to the Gulf and connecting our communities.
The Gulf Development Road is an essential corridor recognised by the Federal Government designation as a Road of Significant Importance (ROSI). Despite, this, the Gilbert River Bridge remains a dangerous section of this road shared by road trains, commuters and tourists alike and subject to closures due to water levels cutting off access to the Gulf and beyond and there continues to be a lack of support for developing a business case for upgrading this bridge which was raised at the recent FNQROC State delegation.
Representatives from both Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) attended the tour which also included a tour of the Genex Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project. This 250MW project involves the conversion of two large disused pits that made up the old gold mine being converted into a world-first pumped storage hydro project, using the abandoned mine. It is the first of its kind to be developed in over 40 years, combined with multi-stage solar and wind renewable energy assets underpinning the Kidston Clean Energy Hub.
Many thanks to Etheridge Shire Council for hosting the 2024 Technical Tour.
Date Claimers:
- Regional Road & Transport Group Technical Committee (RRTG TC) – 29 November 2024 - Cairns
- Regional Road & transport Group (RRTG) – 5 December 2024 - Cairns