• Operational Responsibility for Public Roads in WA - Main Roads/Local Government Draft Interface Agreement - Feedback

Main Roads WA, in partnership with WALGA and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia WA (IPWEA), has developed a draft interface agreement outlining the principles and practical guidelines for determining how the responsibility for operating and maintaining the different parts or elements of highways and main roads is to be allocated between Main Roads WA and Local Governments.

The document is intended to:

• Support responsible road authorities in the performance of their road management functions with respect to the provision of a safe and efficient road network for use by road users and the community, and
• Recognise that Main Roads and Local Governments are partners in managing Western Australia’s public road network.

The interface agreement has been developed over a number of years by a working group consisting of representatives from the Association, Main Roads and IPWEA. This group was formed to identify and document the issues involved for both Main Roads and Local Governments, and to develop a set of principles that could be used to determine responsibility of different elements of the WA road network. The interface agreement is intended to assist those on the ground identify where Local Government responsibility begins and ends.

The Association is looking for feedback from Local Governments on the draft document. Please track changes in the word document and send comments to Warren Pearce, Policy Manager Transport and Roads at wpearce@walga.asn.au by Wednesday 3 March 2010. If you have any queries, please contact Warren on 9213 2033.

Draft for Comment - Operational Responsibility for Public Roads in WA January 2010

• MRWA Control of Access Network Maps
  http://ims.mainroads.wa.gov.au/coa/
• MRWA Restricted Access Vehicle Network Maps
  http://ims.mainroads.wa.gov.au/rav/
• Austroads Access for all Local Governments

Austroads is the association of Australian and New Zealand road transport and traffic authorities. Through ALGA’s membership of Austroads, Local Government is able to influence the Austroads work program and participate in Austroads projects. Importantly, all Local Governments have access on line to publications free of charge. Each Local Government has a user name and pin number to access the member’s section of Austroads. Austroads produces a comprehensive range of technical guides which can be used by Local Government in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of their road networks. This avoids duplication of effort and produces a high level of national consistency. The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) is owned by Austroads. Attached is the link to the Austroads website: http://www.austroads.com.au/index.html, For further information Austroads can be contacted on 02 9264 7088 or austroads@austroads.com.au.

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• Grain Freight Network Local Road Evaluation Study

State Council resolved that work be undertaken to research and map Local Government feeder roads into the grain freight network and quantify the costs for these roads to meet the freight task. A consultant has been commissioned to undertake this work which is being overseen by WALGA in partnership with the Local Government Grain Infrastructure Working Group. Information from the project will inform the road funding component of the Grain Freight Road and Rail rescue package. Check the Infopage dated 10 July for more details.

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• Proposed amendments to the Main Road WA Act

Main Roads is currently preparing drafting instructions for the purpose of amending the Main Roads Act 1930 so that it better reflects modern operations and addressed future needs. The current Act is nearly eighty years old and is still largely focussed on its original purpose of empowering and funding an agency to construct the State’s road networks.

Main Roads has taken the amendment process as an opportunity to align their functions, objects and powers under the Act with their current to long term responsibilities, operations and needs. They have taken a futuristic look at what functions and powers will be required of them in the coming decades. This is reflected in the proposed amendments.

The proposed amendments have significant implications for Local Government. The Association is seeking your feedback on the proposed amendments. In addition, we would like to know areas of the Act that have not been put forward for amendment that Local Government would like considered.

For further information or to provide feedback, please refer to the relevant documents below:

Main Roads Act - (draft) Drafting Instructions August 07

WALGA Submission - Proposed Amendments to the Main Roads Act 1930

Main Road's Response to Local Government

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• Commonwealth Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport

The Commonwealth Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Standards) provide the following timetable for bus stop infrastructure compliance; 31^st December 2007 compliance with the relevant Standards by 25%; 31^st December 2012 compliance with the relevant Standards by 55%; 31^st December 2017 compliance with the relevant Standards by 90% and 31^st December 2032 all public transport services to fully comply with the Standards.

For further information, please refer to the relevant documents below:

Interim Submission

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• Accessible Bus Stop – Compliance Checklist

Please find the Accessible Bus Stop – Compliance Checklist developed by WALGA in partnership with the Public Transport Authority. This is an easy to use Checklist to audit bus stops for compliance. This Checklist contains guidance for the providers of bus stops infrastructure on the minimum requirements as set out in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2002) and the State Government Public Transport Bus Stop Layout Policy for Universal Access, prepared by the Public Transport Authority (PTA).


For further information, please refer to the documents below:


Bus Stop Audit Report - Final

Appendix A - Standards and Checklist Linkages

Appendix B - Audit Checklist

Appendix C - Infrastructure Cost Template

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• Western Power Local Government Strategic Reference Group

A New Local Government / Western Power Strategic Reference Group has been established with senior representatives from Western Power, WALGA and the Institute of Public Works Engineers.

This forum is focusing on improving relationships between Western Power and Local Government; develop an agreed work plan to address specific issues with KPIs to monitor the Forum’s progress and to report back to Local Government and Western Power; Establish working groups to address specific issues for the Forum; and Develop hierarchy working groups with clear relationships to this forum.

Western Power has appointed a new full time resource to service the Forum and co-ordinate input from current working groups.

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• A Role for Local Government in Enhanced Speed Enforcement

Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has been selected by WALGA to undertake research, involving extensive consultation with Local Governments, into the existing and potential role of Local Government in enhanced speed enforcement.

The project commenced in September 2009 and although initially envisaged to be complete by February 2010, an extension approval was granted by the Office of Road Safety to accommodate a completion date of 29 June 2010.

A Project Advisory Committee has been established to support the work with representatives from WA Police, Office of Road Safety, Main Roads WA, Institute of Public Works Engineering, Local Government (City of Stirling, Shire of Plantagenet and the Great Eastern Country Zone), and WALGA.

If you would like further details please call (08) 9213 2059.

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• Railway Level Crossing Safety- Development of Interface Agreement

A new National Railway Level Crossing Safety Strategy (2010-2020) has been released. The Strategy seeks to deliver a nationally coordinated action plan to reduce deaths and near misses at Australian Railway Level Crossings.

To implement the Strategy, WALGA in partnership with Main Roads WA and other Railway Authorities, is developing a draft interface agreement outlining the practical guidelines and responsibilities for maintaining and monitoring compliance.

The Interface is intended to;

• ensure that nationally acceptable standards of safety are afforded to all users of the interface and that the infrastructure is protected from damage as much as reasonably practicable.provide for the joint assessment and management of risks associated with all aspects of the interfaces identified in this Agreement.
•  establish financial arrangements between the Parties in relation to the management of interfaces and the Agreement.
• provide for the definition and description of each interface to which this Agreement applies, and documentation of the respective responsibilities of the Parties and all third parties.
• establish procedures for monitoring compliance with this Agreement.
• provide a framework for agreed processes for management of interfaces, including:
• application of legislation and nationally accepted standards;
• management of lifecycle responsibilities;
• development and maintenance of OHS&W Safe Working Procedures;
• information exchange between the Parties;
• audit, inspection and monitoring procedures; and
• development and maintenance of emergency management procedures;
• joint process for the assessment and mitigation of risks;

Comment will be sought from the Local Government sector as the Draft is developed. For further information contact Warren Pearce, Policy Manager Transport and Roads on (08) 9213 2033, or email wperace@walga.asn.au.