Department of Transport Annual Report 2013-14
Kewdale Intermodal Rail Supply Chain project nearing completion
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- Defining the project plan for MAX Light Rail
- Investing $54.2 million from Perth Parking Licensing Account in transport initiatives
- Progressing legislation for national transport reforms
- National law for rail safety
- National law for commercial vessel safety
- Heavy vehicle reform
- Review of the Owner-Drivers (Contracts and Disputes) Act
Kewdale Intermodal Rail Supply Chain project nearing completionBoth components of the State and Commonwealth-funded Kewdale Intermodal Rail Supply Chain project are expected to be completed in mid-2014. The $31 million extension of the North Quay Rail Terminal, being delivered by Fremantle Port Authority on behalf of DoT, includes the extension of rail sidings at the Inner Harbour from 400m to 690m, to allow trains to be loaded and unloaded without being split up and shunted. The $6 million Spearwood Loop project, being delivered by portfolio partner the PTA, involves the replacement of 850m of narrow-gauge track with dual-gauge track and installation of new sleepers and turnouts, to provide a rail passing loop for trains on a long stretch of single track between Fremantle and Kewdale. Both components of the project will greatly improve port and supply chain efficiencies and ensure the longevity of the Inner Harbour. The strategic assessment to determine a preferred location for overflow container facilities in the Outer Harbour has been completed by the Western Australian Planning Commission and a formal decision is expected from the State Government in 2014/15. Defining the project plan for MAX Light RailA draft business case for the MAX Light Rail project, as the preferred option for high-capacity transport in Perth’s central northern corridor and CBD, was submitted to Infrastructure Australia by DoT in September 2013. DoT’s business case included a rapid cost-benefit analysis and justification of light rail compared to either bus rapid transit or the ‘do minimum’ option of expanding the existing network. In December 2013, Infrastructure Australia approved the development of a ‘real potential’ business case outlining how the MAX Light Rail project would be delivered, including operational and functional requirements, detailed costings and preliminary design concepts. Soon after, the State Government announced the deferral of the MAX Light Rail project for three years. DoT began developing the ‘real potential’ business case (or Project Definition Plan) in line with the revised project timeframes, which schedule the commencement of procurement from mid-2017, construction in 2019, and the first services by late-2022. The Project Definition Plan, completed by DoT in June 2014, developed the preferred light rail option into a fully-costed proposal ready for funding approval and going to market. The MAX project has now transitioned to the PTA for its re-commencement in 2016/17. Investing $54.2 million from Perth Parking Licensing Account in transport initiativesDoT continued to administer the Perth Parking Licensing Account (PPLA) during 2013/14 to invest revenue from the Perth Parking Levy in transport initiatives in the Perth Parking Management Area. A total of $54.2 million was expended from the PPLA this financial year for the following projects and services across the Transport portfolio: provision of the Central Area Transit (CAT) service, including the introduction of the new Green CAT, seven new CAT buses and a one-year trial of new diesel-hybrid engine technology for CAT buses; provision of the Free Transit Zone; provision of the Incident Response Service; expansion of the Traffic Operations Centre; completion of the design of on-road cycle lanes on Barrack Street to be constructed in 2014/15; implementation of traffic light parallel walk phases at 13 intersections; and implementation of roundabout metering at the Point Lewis Rotary. This figure also included contributions towards the construction of the Perth Busport and priority bus lanes in William Street (between St Georges Terrace and Wellington Street) and Beaufort Street (between Roe and Brisbane streets). The CAT service and the Free Transit Zone will continue to be funded through the PPLA, and a three-year CAT bus renewal program is set to commence from 2015/16. Progressing legislation for national transport reformsDuring 2013/14, DoT continued to participate extensively in the working groups and project boards developing and implementing the legislation required to support the national transport reforms initiated by the Council of Australian Governments. The reforms include the development of national systems for: rail safety; commercial vessel safety; and heavy vehicle reform. DoT also reviewed the State’s Owner-Drivers (Contracts and Disputes) Act 2007. National law for rail safetyThe National Rail Safety Regulator commenced operation in January 2013. In May 2014, DoT completed drafting the Rail Safety National Law (WA) Bill 2014 to enact mirror legislation to introduce the Rail Safety National Law in Western Australia. DoT anticipates the Bill to be passed by State Parliament in the second quarter of 2014/15 and for WA to commence operations under the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator in 2014/15. National law for commercial vessel safetyThe national law governing commercial vessel safety came into effect in July 2013. Throughout 2013/14, DoT continued drafting the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel National Law Application) Bill 2014 to enact the national law in WA, while simultaneously progressing amendments to the Western Australian Marine Act 1982 and other Acts to ensure the seamless regulation of vessels under the new national law and those remaining under WA’s jurisdiction. In the meantime, DoT is continuing to deliver the national system in WA as a formal Delegate of the National Regulator. Heavy vehicle reformIn 2013/14, DoT continued to contribute timely policy advice to the heavy vehicle charging and investment reform project – a proposed market-based integration of charging and investment arrangements. Heavy vehicle operators in WA pay for the costs of regulatory compliance through existing registration fee arrangements. Despite WA not being a signatory to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), DoT and MRWA have worked with the NHVR since it commenced operations in January 2013 to ensure efficient heavy vehicle regulation for WA operators, including those who operate interstate under the Intergovernmental Agreement. In February 2014, the National Transport Commission proposed a new schedule of national heavy vehicle charges. As part of a transition plan to implement a new national schedule of charges that are appropriate for WA’s heavy vehicle fleet, freight task and road conditions by 2016, the State Government announced a 1.3 per cent annual fee increase. Review of the Owner-Drivers (Contracts and Disputes) ActThe Owner-Drivers (Contracts and Disputes) Act 2007, which regulates the business relationship between owner-drivers of heavy freight vehicles and their customers, came into effect on 1 August 2008. One requirement of the Act was that it be reviewed and evaluated after five years of operation. A review and evaluation of the operations of the Road Freight Transport Industry Council (the Council) and Road Freight Transport Industry Tribunal (the Tribunal) is also required. DoT conducted this review in 2013/14, and found that: industry felt the Act was enhancing the safety and sustainability of the road transport industry and that the industry supports its continuation; the Act helped to establish fair and reasonable pay rates for owner-drivers and assisted in the resolution of disputes that arise between owner-drivers and those that hire them; and the Act, the Council and the Tribunal were all meeting their requirements. DoT’s review of the Act was tabled in Parliament in June 2014 and has been published on DoT’s website. As well as meeting the legislative requirement, the review will serve to ensure WA is well positioned to meet any changes to the national Road Safety Remuneration Act 2012 that could stem from the national transport review, due for completion in 2014. Directory: mediaFiles mediaFiles -> Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine mediaFiles -> Valerii Hryhorovych asapov mediaFiles -> Intentionally blank mediaFiles -> Uncontrolled when printed mediaFiles -> President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen mediaFiles -> Display Pilot Flight Lieutenant Jamie Norris mediaFiles -> Translation Download 436.52 Kb. Share with your friends:
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