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24 April 1998

Transport Ministers of the Federal, State and Territory governments met in Leura today as the Australian Transport Council (ATC), which incorporates the Ministerial Council for Road Transport (MCRT). The meeting was hosted and chaired by the New South Wales Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads the Honourable Carl Scully.

PROGRESS ON RAIL REFORM ISSUES

Ministers noted significant progress on the rail reform tasks they established at the National Rail Summit (Sep 97) and the subsequent ATC meeting (Nov 97) and, in particular, the completion of the uniformity report titled 'Study of Rail Standards and Operational Requirements' which identifies key uniformity tasks and provides options for addressing them. Ministers agreed that this report should be used as the basis for progressing uniformity in rail, and to committing the resources necessary to ensure these and other reform activities were effectively pursued.

Ministers also noted that the Australian Rail Track Corporation has been established and that the Corporation is commencing negotiations for lease or access to interstate track or train paths with State jurisdictions. It has also sought advice from rail operators, track owners and track managers on priority projects for the allocation of the $250m Commonwealth interstate track investment budget. The costs and benefits of a priority list of projects will be independently evaluated and discussed with jurisdictions prior to funding decisions being made.

Ministers agreed on the need for an integrated approach to road and rail freight operational and regulatory issues. They therefore requested the Standing Committee on Transport (SCOT) to report back to its November meeting on the options for achieving this, including the feasibility of incorporating rail within the responsibilities of the National Road Transport Commission thus creating a Land Transport Commission. Ministers also agreed that SCOT should develop the options in close consultation with the NRTC and chief executives of rail industry corporations.

The Rail Group of SCOT will drive the uniformity process, pending establishment of any new arrangements.

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FUTURE OF MARINE SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Ministers noted that Australia's obligation to comply with the International Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention regarding the use of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System by February 1999, would have implications for smaller vessels and pleasure craft which fall outside the scope of SOLAS. Ministers have directed that officials prepare an options paper to deal with the question of providing an adequate safety radio network for these vessels for consideration at their next meeting.

BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

Ministers considered the important issue of ballast water management in Australian waters and noted that the States and Territories had already agreed in principle to the introduction of coastal ballast water management guidelines. In moving to follow up this in principle agreement, Ministers concluded that consistency in ballast water management in Australian waters and the protection of the marine environment can best be achieved through a single agency approach, and that the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is the preferred agency to carry out that role. Ministers agreed that the Chairman of ATC should write to the Federal Minister for Primary Industry and Energy as the Minister responsible for AQIS, recommending AQIS as the preferred agency for this role.

FEDERAL INTERSTATE REGISTRATION SCHEME (FIRS)

Ministers noted that the Commonwealth would undertake a review of FIRS. Ministers agreed that the FIRS legislation should be repealed when all States and Territories have the national registration scheme in place.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT AND THE NATIONAL GREENHOUSE STRATEGY

Ministers noted the development of an Australian Transport and Sustainable Development policy.

Ministers agreed to provide input into the National Greenhouse Strategy and will consider the Strategy at the next meeting in order to asses the need for national co-ordination on transport measures.

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REVISION OF THE NATIONAL BICYCLE STRATEGY

Ministers noted a revision of the National Bicycle Strategy by Austroads in consultation with the National Bicycle Council. A revised Strategy will be considered by Ministers at the next ATC meeting in November, with a view to the revised Strategy being launched at the Australasian Cycling Conference to be held in Adelaide during February 1999.

ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT REGULATION IMPACT STATEMENT

Ministers noted that the Attorney-General's Department will shortly be circulating for clearance the draft Regulation Impact Statement, prior to its release for public comment. Ministers would then consider the final draft Statement at the ATC meeting in November.

URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Ministers agreed that the SCOT Rail Group undertake a study of the role of urban public transport, with emphasis on its role into the next millennium, incorporating the views of other modal groups as required.

INCREASED MASS LIMITS FOR ROAD FRIENDLY HEAVY VEHICLES

Ministers

  • acknowledged the productivity benefits obtainable from increasing allowable axle mass limits for vehicles with road friendly suspension, the need to upgrade Australia's bridges to realise these benefits and the importance of reducing gross overloading;
  • agreed by majority (with NSW and ACT not supporting) that, subject to the provision of sufficient additional funding for upgrading bridges, allowable general axle mass limits for vehicles fitted with road friendly suspensions be increased, as follows:
    • 0.5 tonne increase on tandem axle groups, to 17.0 tonnes;
    • 2.5 tonne increase on triaxle groups, to 22.5 tonnes;
    • 1.0 tonne increase on single drive axles on buses, to 10.0 tonnes;
    • 1.0 tonne increase on six-tyred tandem axles, to 14.0 tonnes; and
    • 0.7 tonne increase on steering axles of long combination vehicle prime movers (ie, road trains and similar) fitted with wide single tyres, to 6.7 tonnes (regardless of the type of suspension);
  • agreed to restrict increases in allowable mass for triaxles to vehicles operated by members of approved mass-management compliance-assurance schemes;
  • agreed to the imposition of substantial penalties on grossly overloaded vehicles, the penalties being commensurate with the risks to safety and infrastructure damage and the commercial benefits from overloading;
  • agreed that a National Bridge Upgrading Program be established to facilitate the adoption of increased mass limits, subject to appropriate Commonwealth funding;
  • recognising the expected Commonwealth revenue gains from the productivity benefits of increased mass, requested the Commonwealth to report back to the next ATC meeting on the additional funding which it is prepared to put into a national bridge upgrade program, the timeframe over which the funds would be available, and the distribution of funding between National Highways, State/arterial roads and local government roads;
  • agree that road users who take advantage of increased mass should contribute to ongoing funding requirements associated with increased mass limits. The Commission will recommend relevant charges in its Second Charges Determination;
  • request the NRTC to report back to the next ATC meeting with its advice on the impact of accreditation, costs on small and large road transport operators and further information on the impact of road friendly suspensions on local roads.

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NRTC 1998-99 BUDGET

Ministers agreed to the NRTC's 1998-99 budget of $3.7m. The budget is based on the Commission's three-year strategic plan to 2000/01.

NRTC CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Ministers noted the NRTC report on status of road transport reforms, priorities review and accountabilities and confirmed each jurisdictions capacity to meet MCRT-endorsed timelines.

Ministers agreed to consider the potential to bring forward implementation of reform elements, in particular items outstanding from the first Heavy Vehicle Reform Package.

Ministers reaffirmed the findings of the NRTC review, proposing an approach to reform based on policy implementation and where appropriate including the preparation of draft model regulation to assist jurisdictions.

Ministers also endorsed individual jurisdictions adopting by agreement the role of lead agency in the development of selected reforms suitable for consistent application nationally.

ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION

Ministers agreed that the European draft standard (CEN) and its operating frequency of 5.8GHz should be formally adopted as the Australian standard for ETC which should apply to all future road projects using ETC technology. It is also recommended that private toll operators should be encouraged to adopt the standard for all upgrades and future contracts.

Ministers proposed that all governments give consideration to adopting the new Australian (CEN) standard in all new infrastructure contracts.

Ministers requested Austroads, in conjunction with ITS Australia, to prepare a Work Program to implement the recommendations contained in the Singleton Report pertaining to enforcement, privacy and financial administration.

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INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Ministers agreed to the development of a national ITS Strategy. ITS can help achieve goals such as more efficient movement of passengers and freight, reduction of urban congestion, reduction of environmental consequences of transport, and better use of existing transport infrastructure. A national strategy will help maximise the gains that ITS can bring to the transport system, the economy and the population.

The national strategy will be developed under the auspices of Austroads, in consultation with other modal groups.

NATIONAL COMPETITION COUNCIL LIAISON

Ministers discussed a letter from NCC and agreed to take up the issues raised in it with their Heads of Government.

TRANSPORT OF OVERWEIGHT CONTAINERS

Ministers endorsed the establishment of a working group to examine the extent of the problem of intermodal transfer of overweight containers to road carriage and to develop a national strategy to address the problem. Ministers asked that Austroads make its recommendations for a strategy at the next ATC meeting.

NATIONAL EXCHANGE OF VEHICLE AND DRIVER INFORMATION SYSTEM (NEVDIS)

Ministers noted that the Hon. John Cleary MHA, has written to the Hon Trevor Griffin, Minister for Justice and Minister for Police Services seeking assistance in raising the issue of Police cooperation in the supply of national stolen vehicle information to NEVDIS.

Ministers undertook to raise the issue/concerns with their respective Police Ministers.

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NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Australian Transport Council will be held in Victoria in November 1998.

MEMBERS ATTENDING LEURA

Chair: Hon Carl Scully, New South Wales Minister Transport and Minister for Roads

  • Hon Mark Vaile, Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Regional Development
  • Hon Robin Cooper, Victorian Minister for Public Transport
  • Hon Geoff Craige, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports
  • Hon Vaughan Johnson, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
  • Hon Eric Charlton, Western Australian Minister for Transport
  • Hon Diana Laidlaw, South Australian Minister for Transport
  • Hon Barry Coulter, Northern Territory Minister for Transport and Works
  • Mr Brendan Smyth, Australian Capital Territory Minister for Urban Services
  • Hon Maurice Williamson, New Zealand Minister of Transport

OBSERVERS:

  • Cr John Wearne, Australian Local Government Association

APOLOGIES:

  • Hon John Cleary, Tasmanian Minister for Transport
  • Hon Kim Yeadon, New South Wales Minister for Ports
  • Hon Vincent Auali, Papua-New Guinea Minister for Transport
  • Hon Peter Reith, Commonwealth Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business

ALSO ATTENDING:

  • Mr Stuart Hicks, Chairman, National Road Transport Commission
  • Mr John Stanley, Commissioner, National Road Transport Commission
  • Ms Caroline Ameduri, Commissioner (elect), National Road Transport Commission

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Last Updated: 28 July, 2010