Local government is calling for more investment to fix the nation’s roads and address the increasing number of traffic fatalities.
“Councils look after 75% of Australia’s roads,” president of the Australian Local Government Association Matt Burnett told Government News. “So we need real funding from the federal government and our state governments to keep our local roads up to speed to make sure they are safe for commuters.”
Burnett was speaking to GN as the National Local Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress wrapped up in Western Australia earlier this week.
Road safety reforms to reduce traffic fatalities was a hot topic of discussion at the ALGA-hosted event, said Burnett. “For all 537 councils right across the country roads have been the biggest issue, and it has been for a number of years – particularly around road safety.”
According to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics – in the year to 30 April 2024 – 1,310 people died on Australian roads. Up from 1,178 a year earlier, this was the worst 12-month period for traffic fatalities since 2012.
The Northern Territory saw road deaths surge by 35.3% during the period; New South Wales by 31.2%. Large increases were also recorded in Victoria (12.4%), South Australia (9.8%), and Queensland (5.7%).
In the last decade, more than 11,000 people have died on Australian roads.
“The statistics are there for everyone to see,” said Burnett. “Every state and territory has similar horror stories about the road tolls.”
Burnett would like to see reforms to funding so that councils can upgrade local roads in an effort to reduce accidents. “What we’re chasing as a local government sector is formula-based funding, like the Roads to Recovery funding,” he said.
RTR is a federal government-funded program established to help councils maintain and build local roads. The 2024–29 funding period will see $4.4 billion allocated to the program; from 2027-28 RTR funding will reach $1 billion per year.
“That’s fantastic – we’d like that $1bn straight away because we’ve got the data to say that’s at least what we need to address the roads situation in Australia,” Burnett told GN.
The RTR program allocates funds based on needs such as population size and road length. Councils can use the funds for local priorities without competing with other jurisdictions.
“We need more formula-based funding like RTR so we don’t have to fight amongst the councils for funding,” said Burnett. “Just give us the money – we know what the issues are. We live in our local communities, we are at the closest level to our communities – just let the councils have the funding and let us get on with the job.”
Held in the Margaret River region of WA from 3-4 December, the roads congress – attended by councillors, council officers such as road and infrastructure managers, and guest speakers from around Australia – also covered topics such as community infrastructure, renewable energy, emergency management, emissions reduction, active transport, aviation innovations and transitioning to a circular economy.
“It’s been a mix of conversations,” said Burnett. “It’s been very, very good.”
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