Deputy PM guest at Guides Workshops

The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, attended the Best Practice Guides Workshop in his own electorate of Wagga Wagga in August.

The Minister’s attendance at the successful workshop hosted by the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) in Wagga Wagga reinforces the Federal Government’s willingness to work collaboratively with industry leaders to deliver a safe and successful transport future.

The Deputy Prime Minister commented on how local governments fulfil a vital part in the provision and management of Australia’s road assets and are often under pressure to obtain better value from their budgets. ARRB is working with local government to create cost effective and practical guides to improve our roads.

“ARRB is committed to making sure we cover everything (road transport related) from road safety improvements right down to better surfaces," he said.

The focus of these guides is to expand local government’s understanding and capacity to safely manage their road infrastructure, particularly where the network is regional and heavy vehicles usage is prominent.

Current global best practice and information will be provided about next generation materials, sealed & unsealed roads and structures. All tailored to local government requirements.

As part of the preparation of the guides, ARRB have been hosting workshops across Australia to ensure that we are focussing our energies in the areas that Local Government needs the guides to address.

Currently, ARRB has undertaken successful workshops in:

Victoria: Melbourne, Bendigo, Traralgon

NSW: Sydney, Wagga Wagga

Queensland: Brisbane, Cloncurry

WA: Perth, Cranbrook

The upcoming workshops are on:

3 September: Dubbo (NSW) & Townsville (QLD)

4 September: Port Macquarie (QLD)

6 September: Darwin (NT)

9 September: Mildura (VIC)

10 September: Adelaide (SA), Rockhampton (QLD) & National Webinar

These workshops are designed to prioritise concerns, gather input and provide a platform regarding the challenges and opportunities you see at the local government level.