Warren Truss, the leader of the National Party, has committed a future Coalition government to continuing the Roads to Recovery program beyond the deadline of 2014. There was also a need for a Bridges to Recovery program, he told the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Bunbury, Western Australia.
Not a big fan of roads at the roads congress was the Greens’ local government and transport spokesman, Senator Scott Ludlam, who called for a move away from dependence on oil to rail freight, public transport in regional areas and bicycles.
Crushed, recycled glass is the latest road-making material, the congress was told. The general manager of the Packaging Stewardship Forum, Jenny Pickles, said more local authorities had recognised the environmental and economic benefits of replacing sand and natural resources with crushed glass as an effective medium in asphalt and concrete engineering works.
Councils must get together and develop regional plans and proposals if they want their case to reach the Cabinet table, the Labor MP for Fremantle, Melissa Parke, told the roads congress. ”The challenge for you as you discuss local transport investment priorities is to think collaboratively, regionally and strategically,” she said.
Manly, Mosman, Pittwater and Warringah councils have called for road upgrades and rapid-transit buses under a regional strategy developed for the Shore Regional Organisation of Councils. Shaping Our Future is an ”historic” agreement between the four councils to address congestion, population growth and climate change.
