The newly-formed Rural Roads Alliance has given evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, reiterating its call for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion.
The Alliance includes GrainGrowers, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA).
Appearing before the House of Representatives Standing Committee, ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, said that urgent new funding was needed right across the rural road network.
“Severely damaged roads are dramatically increasing the time and cost of moving freight to and from our rural production centres.
“It’s harder on our vehicles, it’s harder on our drivers, and it’s harder on our livestock. At the end of the day it’s a basic safety issue that needs to be addressed,” Mr Munro said.
Rob Anspach, representing the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia, spoke about problems in road construction.
“Road construction material standards differ across Australia and many engineers and contractors don’t know how to use local materials. Bitumen standards are also suffering to meet environmental goals. Roads built to minimum standards at lowest cost require constant maintenance and cost more over the longer term,” he said.
The alliance – which represents diverse stakeholders from across regional Australia including farmers, transporters and local councils – was formed in response to the critical challenges facing Australia’s rural road network in the wake of flooding and high rainfall.
The Rural Roads Alliance is calling for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion, including:
