South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
A Regional Perspective on
Transport & Economic
Development
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Presentation outline
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Background – traditional vs regional approach
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SEATS Region & Make-up
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SEATS - Vision & Aims
SEATS - Strategic Transport Network
SEATS - Priority Projects
SEATS - Examples of Successful Outcomes
SEATS - Future Challenges
SEATS - Membership Benefits & Costs
SEATS - Communications
SEATS - Key Elements for Success
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South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
The challenge before us
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Individual Councils recognise the critical importance of transport infrastructure
to the social and economic well-being of their communities.
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How do we best argue our case for improved transport and subsequent
economic and social outcomes for our communities?
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Councils – Traditional Approach
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Traditional approach before SEATS:
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compete for our slice of the cake as individual councils;
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work in relative isolation of industry, our neighbour councils and other levels of
government;
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focus mainly on road transport;
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limit our area of concern based on State borders;
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Regional Approach
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Advantages of a regional approach
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United voice with greater access to and impact on Federal and State funding bodies
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Councils working together instead of competing against neighbours
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Takes account of other stakeholder needs including industry, insurance and research
groups
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Looks at the “whole of transport chain” and integration issues
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Regional Approach
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Advantages of a regional approach
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Takes proper account of cross border transport needs (eg HML into Canberra) and
opportunities (eg Port of Eden)
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Provides direction to funding bodies as to priority projects for the region
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Improves alignment of local government’s case for funding against the Federal and
State Governments’ strategies for the economic wellbeing of the Nation
Takes advantage of the wealth of experience and talent and information available to be
shared across organisations
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Testimonial
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“SEATS intends using the strategic network to provide a collective focus for its
future planning. It is also intended as a planning and funding tool because it
promotes projects that go beyond the confines of individual councils and benefit
the region as a whole as well as the individual states.
This seems to me to be a very enlightened approach and in stark contrast to the
usual competitive and selfish attitudes on display elsewhere.”
- Dale Crisp
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Region
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Wollongong NSW to Dandenong Victoria and out to Goulburn/Tumut NSW
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Population of 1.5M people and growing rapidly
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SEATS Membership make-up
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Local government
State government (RTA/VicROADS)
Port authorities
Economic development boards – now changing
Industry representatives
Research organisations
Motoring/transport organisations
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS
Region
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Executive Committee
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Executive
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Cr Sue Whelan – Chairman (CRDB)
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Cr Graeme Middlemiss - Deputy Chairman/Public Officer (Latrobe City Council)
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Mr David Byrne – Secretary/Treasurer (Cooma/Monaro Shire Council)
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Mr Chris Vardon OAM - Chief Executive Officer
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Committee Members Victoria (Victoria) Representatives
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Cr Karen Baxter (City of Casey)
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Cr John Duscher (Bass Coast Shire Council)
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Chris Waites (East Gippsland Shire Council)
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Committee Members New South Wales (NSW) Representatives
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Mr Barry Russell (PHocus)
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Mr Greg Pullen (Shoalhaven City Council)
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Cr Bob Stewart (Bombala Shire Council)
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
NSW - New South Wales
AECOM
Bega Cheese
Bombala Shire Council
Capital Region Development Board
Cooma-Monaro Shire Council
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Dept Planning, Infrastructure & Resources (NSW)
NRMA
NSW ATA
Palerang Council
PHocus
Port Kembla Port Corporation
Queanbeyan City Council
RTA - Roads and Traffic Authority NSW
SEACC
Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee
Shoalhaven City Council
Snowy River Shire Council
Softwoods Working Group
South East Fibre Exports
Southern Councils Group (NSW)
Tumut Shire Council
Wollongong City Council
VIC – Victoria
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Cardinia Shire Council
City of Casey Council
City of Greater Dandenong Council
Dyers Transport – Gippsland
East Gippsland Shire Council
Gippsland Area Consultative Committee
Grendas Transit Management
LaTrobe Shire Council
Monash University Gippsland Campus
Port of Hastings
South Gippsland Shire Council
VICRoads
Wellington Shire Council
ACT – Australian Capital Territory
NatRoad Limited
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Vision
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The South East Australian region between Wollongong and Dandenong, will
have high quality transport links forming a regional network that facilitates
economic growth and production, and enhances the lifestyles of the region’s
population
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Aims
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To stimulate and facilitate investment in transport infrastructure in south eastern
New South Wales (NSW ), eastern Victoria (Victoria) and the Australian Capital
Territory (ACT) region.
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To provide a highly coordinated and influential advocacy for the development of
transport infrastructure in the South East Australian region that supports
sustainable economic development and the prosperity of its constituents.
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Strategic Transport Network
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Meyrick Report 2007 – Strategic Transport Network (funded by SEATS)
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Transport network identification
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Network deficiencies identified including lack of AUSLINK recognition
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Agreed criteria for priority project selection (now under further review)
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Priority projects selected and agreed to by SEATS members
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Strategies in place to pursue priority projects
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Current Priority Projects
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Bass Highway Duplication, Victoria (sections under construction)
Caulfield - Dandenong 3rd Rail Line, Victoria
Clyde Road Duplication, Victoria
Cranbourne Bypass, Victoria
Gippsland Intermodals, Victoria
Gocup Road, Tumut NSW (now back on the political agenda)
Kings Highway Upgrade, Batemans Bay to Canberra, NSW/ACT
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Upgrades for HQJOC Defence Base (under construction)
Queanbeyan to Bundendore including ACT sections (under construction)
East of Braidwood to Batemans Bay (awaiting Kings Highway Route Strategy & funding)
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Current Priority Projects
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Port Kembla Container Terminal Development (major redevelopment underway)
Princes Highway - Bega Town Bypass, NSW ($30M committed in Federal election)
Princes Highway - Brogo River Bridge, north of Bega NSW
Princes Highway - Wagonga Inlet bridge, Narooma NSW (concept designs complete)
Princes Highway - Batemans Bay to Dignams Creek, NSW
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South Batemans Bay Bypass junction (concept designs with RTA)
Victoria Creek, north of Central Tilba (preliminary designs complete by RTA)
Digmans Creek, south of Tilba Tilba (preliminary investigations commenced by RTA)
Princes Highway - Orbost to Cann River, Victoria
Princes Highway - Traralgon to Sale, Victoria
Main Road 92 - Nowra to Nerriga, NSW (works nearing completion)
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Examples of Recent Success
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Pambula River floodplain crossing
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Princes Highway NSW - South Nowra (Forest Road -
- $17M
Jervis Bay Road - 4 lane highway)
- $23M
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Princes Highway NSW - Safety Program
- $30M
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Princes Highway NSW - Mt Conjola realignment
- $45M
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Princes Highway NSW - Bega Bypass SID
- $1M plus $30M commitment
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Kings Highway (Queanbeyan to Bungendore)
- $23.3M Fed/$10M RTA
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Main Road 92 - Nerriga
- $120M
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Princes Highway - Traralgon - Sale upgrade Vic
- $140M
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Funding for the East Gippsland Transport Study 2005 and update in 2008
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Princes Highway NSW - Victoria Creek/Digmans Creek - route selection studies
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Examples of Recent Successes
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Assistance from Federal Government on roads not part of the AUSLINK National
Network
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Princes Highway, Pambula
- $ 5M
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Princes Highway, South Nowra
- $15M
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Princes Highway, Mount Conjola
- $10M
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Princes Highway, North Kiama
- $34M
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Princes Highway Bega Bypass
- $30M (commitment)
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Main Road 92
- $40M
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Kings Highway
- $23.3M (from the budget for HQJOC
Defence Base)
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Princes Highway, Pambula NSW – improvements to limit regular highway flooding and to
the road alignment – completed 2008
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Princes Highway (south of Nowra) – Conjola Mountain Realignment - $45M
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Princes Highway – South Nowra to Jervis Bay turnoff - $23.5M
Upgrade in capacity from 2 to 4 lanes with junction treatments
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Princes Highway – Jervis Bay turnoff near Nowra - $500,000
Intersection upgrade works
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Princes Highway – Oak Flats to Dunmore (south of Albion Park) - $130M
Upgrade from a windy two lane road to a high speed divided carriageway with four lanes
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Bass Highway Duplication Victoria - construction of 6km section of highway duplication
from Grantville to south of King Road – expected completion end April 2009 - $24.5M
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Bass Highway Duplication Victoria - King Road to Woolmer Road - construction of
5.5km section – expected completion early 2010 - $27.1M
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Princes Highway, Victoria – Road Safety Improvements – network actions to improve road
safety and reduce the severity and incidence of run off road crashes - funded under the
Victorian State Government’s arrive alive Safer Road Infrastructure Program
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Final stage of the upgrade of the Bruthen - Nowa Nowa Road from Buchan Road to Nowa
Nowa township - 7km section - completed in 2008. The Bruthen - Nowa Nowa Road
provides an alternate truck route from Bairnsdale to Nowa Nowa allowing trucks to
avoid the busy coastal fishing and resort township of Lakes Entrance
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Future Challenges
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Improve the alignment of SEATS strategies & priorities to the AUSLINK National Network
criteria and State Transport Plan
Achieve recognition of Princes Highway as an integral part of the AUSLINK National
Network (eg Gerrigong to Bomedary upgrade to divided carriageway $0.9B)
Work with State agencies to:
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Develop route strategies for all roads within the SEATS Strategic Transport Network
Improve our depth of understanding of the transport demand and links to economic
development
Improve the scoping and business case development for individual projects within the
Strategic Transport Network
Improve planning and integration of asset management planning, traffic and development
work on strategic transport routes to maximise efficiency of the funds available
Assist the NSW government lobby for an improved share of AUSLINK funding
Work with government and industry on key Intermodal Freight/Transport Hubs
Investigate opportunities associated with ports (eg Hastings, Eden, Port Kembla)
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Membership Benefits
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Why Join SEATS?
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First and foremost, SEATS membership gives a collective voice to all levels
of Government to show the south east region of Australia is working as one
to improve transport infrastructure.
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It provides a united and co-operative front with diverse inputs to the many
issues of transport infrastructure affecting our region. That gives our
members confidence in espousing issues of local and regional interest to
Government.
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It means issues are not looked at in isolation, but are viewed from a wider
perspective encompassing New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT.
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South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Membership Benefits
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Why Join SEATS (cont)
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SEATS is the paramount organisation to make these cross border issues
uppermost in the minds of all Governments. SEATS was recognised by the
Federal Government at the 2004 Regional Roads Conference as being a
significant group with a wide interstate role to play in advancing regional roads
and other transport infrastructure issues.
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Industry benefits from being able to advise SEATS on issues of importance, such
as “weight of loads” issues, use of highways and byways by B Doubles, and other
matters of interest.
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Membership Benefits
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Why Join SEATS?
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Bega Cheese sees SEATS' Benefits - Bega Cheese Chairman Barry Irvin
praised the value of industry membership of SEATS.
"It's essential for industry to be involved with SEATS to ensure everyone
recognises each others transport needs and to ensure information is
disseminated to all those involved” Mr Irvin said.
Bega Cheese sends over 900 trucks a year out of Bega NSW - 560 to
Melbourne and 360 to Sydney. This will increase as Bega Cheese expands.
“It has the largest cheese cutting, packaging and processing plant in the
southern hemisphere, employs over 500 people and exports to 53
countries.”
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Membership
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Current Fee Structure
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Council Population
<20,000
20,000 to 30,000
30,000 to 40,000
>40,000
Government Agencies
Other Organisations
Private Sector
Annual Membership Fee (inc GST)
$1,118.91
$2,237.82
$3,356.73
$4,699.42
$1,096.97
$ 532.51
$ 532.51
Membership Form
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Complete the online Membership Form on the SEATS website at this direct link
http://www.seats.org.au/forms/membershipform.html
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS
September
Newsletter
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS
December
Newsletter
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Presentations
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NatRoads
Eurobodalla Shire Commercial Development
Casey Economic Profile
VIC Metropolitan Transport Forum
Port of Hasting
Graduated Licence System VIC Roads
NSW Forests
RTA - Bombala
Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Co-operative Education Program
Regional Development Victoria Transport Infrastructure
Gippsland Research and Information Service
Cooma-Monaro Shire Profile
Heavy Vehicles Capability
Moira Shire Dairy Roads Study
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS Presentations
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Kings Highway
Port Kembla
RTA East West
SEATS Guidelines
VICRoads
Les Wielinga
Patties Foods
VTA - Victorian Transport Authority
Intermodal Terminals
ACIFSM
Plantation Forestry
Intelligent Transport Systems
Port Kembla Port Corporation
Port of Hastings Corporation - Securing The Future
Gippsland East Transport Project - Let's Get Connected
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
SEATS – Key Elements for Success
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Established and maintain strong political support amongst Councils
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SEATS pro-actively engaged support of the RTA/VicROADS (definite benefits to
both parties)
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Membership is broad and includes industry groups
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SEATS Business and Marketing Plan adopted
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SEATS engaged a dedicated resource in the CEO and media professional
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Work undertaken by constitute Councils and others
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SEATS engaged specialist resources as needed (eg Meyrick)
South East Australian
Transport Strategy Inc.
Contact SEATS
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Mr Chris Vardon OAM, Chief Executive Officer
SEATS, PO Box 2106, Malua Bay NSW 2536
Ph: 02 4471 1398
Fax: 02 4471 3741
Mobile: 0413 088 797
Email: seats@acr.net.au
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Mr David Byrne, Secretary/Treasurer
SEATS, C/- Cooma-Monaro Shire Council, PO Box 714, Cooma NSW 2630
Ph: 02 6450 1750
Email: david.byrne@cooma.nsw.gov.au
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SEATS Website www.seats.org.au