Published Friday, 14 November, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Main Roads delivers record $2.8 billion program
Delivering a record $2.8 billion roads program, tackling congestion and completing the $543 million Tugun Bypass are among the highlights in Main Roads’ 2007–08 annual report, which was tabled in Parliament today.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the annual report demonstrated Main Roads' commitment over the past financial year to safety, tackling urban congestion and managing growth with a record capital investment program across the state.
"The biggest achievement last financial year was delivering a record works program of $2.8 billion while maintaining an efficient and safe road network for all Queenslanders in a challenging economic environment," he said
"During the year, Main Roads completed and delivered key infrastructure projects in south-east Queensland including the $543 million Tugun Bypass, the $89 million Caboolture Bypass and the $52 million Brisbane–Beenleigh Road upgrade."
Mr Pitt said 42 per cent of the Main Roads budget for 2007-08 was spent outside the south-east corner to further enhance the road network and help connect rural and regional Queenslanders.
"Last financial year, Main Roads completed the $16 million Yeppoon Western Bypass, replaced the Barcoo River bridge at Blackall and widened the Burke Developmental Road in the north-West.”
Mr Pitt said that in order to preserve and maintain the state's largest physical asset, Main Roads invested more than $123 million during the past 12 months to reseal sections of its road network across the state.
"While Main Roads is building tomorrow's Queensland today, road user safety still remains the department's number one priority,” he said.
"Main Roads spent $47 million last financial year on 63 targeted projects under the Safer Roads Sooner program to address the road toll and reduce the incidence of crashes and injuries at key locations.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads rose to several challenges in 2008 including its response to the widespread flooding that affected about 82 per cent of local government areas across the state.
"Main Roads staff did an exceptional job all over the state to assist affected communities, repair the road network and work with businesses and industry to keep road users moving in the affected areas," he said.
Mr Pitt said Main Roads had realigned its structure in early 2008 to better service all Queenslanders.
"The value to our communities and industry is of paramount importance to us, which is why Main Roads restructured its operations into 12 regional areas and 18 district offices, in line with new local government boundaries that took effect in March 2008."
Mr Pitt said the 2007-08 report also highlighted an increase in the gross replacement value of Queensland's state-controlled road asset – comprising of some 33,550km of roads and more than 6600 bridges and culverts.
"In 2007-08 Main Roads – in conjunction with Queensland Treasury, the Queensland Audit Office and independent engineering and accounting experts – undertook a comprehensive review of the value of Main Roads' roads, busways and structures, as well as those controlled by Queensland Motorways," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads undertakes annual valuations of its assets, with a comprehensive valuation undertaken every five years.
“The comprehensive valuation methodology has more comparability with other state road authorities, complies with applicable accounting standards and provides a reliable and accurate valuation.
"The replacement value of the existing road network in current dollars of $72.2 billion has significantly increased, mainly due to rising civil construction costs experienced during the last five years."
A full copy of the annual report can be found on the Main Roads' website – www.mainroads.qld.gov.au – and a hard copy will be forwarded to key stakeholders in the coming weeks.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the annual report demonstrated Main Roads' commitment over the past financial year to safety, tackling urban congestion and managing growth with a record capital investment program across the state.
"The biggest achievement last financial year was delivering a record works program of $2.8 billion while maintaining an efficient and safe road network for all Queenslanders in a challenging economic environment," he said
"During the year, Main Roads completed and delivered key infrastructure projects in south-east Queensland including the $543 million Tugun Bypass, the $89 million Caboolture Bypass and the $52 million Brisbane–Beenleigh Road upgrade."
Mr Pitt said 42 per cent of the Main Roads budget for 2007-08 was spent outside the south-east corner to further enhance the road network and help connect rural and regional Queenslanders.
"Last financial year, Main Roads completed the $16 million Yeppoon Western Bypass, replaced the Barcoo River bridge at Blackall and widened the Burke Developmental Road in the north-West.”
Mr Pitt said that in order to preserve and maintain the state's largest physical asset, Main Roads invested more than $123 million during the past 12 months to reseal sections of its road network across the state.
"While Main Roads is building tomorrow's Queensland today, road user safety still remains the department's number one priority,” he said.
"Main Roads spent $47 million last financial year on 63 targeted projects under the Safer Roads Sooner program to address the road toll and reduce the incidence of crashes and injuries at key locations.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads rose to several challenges in 2008 including its response to the widespread flooding that affected about 82 per cent of local government areas across the state.
"Main Roads staff did an exceptional job all over the state to assist affected communities, repair the road network and work with businesses and industry to keep road users moving in the affected areas," he said.
Mr Pitt said Main Roads had realigned its structure in early 2008 to better service all Queenslanders.
"The value to our communities and industry is of paramount importance to us, which is why Main Roads restructured its operations into 12 regional areas and 18 district offices, in line with new local government boundaries that took effect in March 2008."
Mr Pitt said the 2007-08 report also highlighted an increase in the gross replacement value of Queensland's state-controlled road asset – comprising of some 33,550km of roads and more than 6600 bridges and culverts.
"In 2007-08 Main Roads – in conjunction with Queensland Treasury, the Queensland Audit Office and independent engineering and accounting experts – undertook a comprehensive review of the value of Main Roads' roads, busways and structures, as well as those controlled by Queensland Motorways," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads undertakes annual valuations of its assets, with a comprehensive valuation undertaken every five years.
“The comprehensive valuation methodology has more comparability with other state road authorities, complies with applicable accounting standards and provides a reliable and accurate valuation.
"The replacement value of the existing road network in current dollars of $72.2 billion has significantly increased, mainly due to rising civil construction costs experienced during the last five years."
A full copy of the annual report can be found on the Main Roads' website – www.mainroads.qld.gov.au – and a hard copy will be forwarded to key stakeholders in the coming weeks.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819