National Remote and Regional Transport Strategy: Consultation Draft

Abstract:

The National Remote and Regional Transport Strategy provides for the first time a nationally coordinated approach for addressing transport infrastructure, service delivery and regulation challenges that are specific to remote and regional Australia. The remote and regional areas of Australia are major contributors to the nation’s economy – being home to world-class resource and agricultural industries. When combined, these areas are responsible for 40 per cent of Australia’s GDP. Remote and regional areas face specific transport challenges due to a combination of vast distances, a small population, climatic extremes, and demanding geography – challenges that require a more tailored approach to transport regulation, infrastructure and service delivery. This Strategy aims to directly address this problem by providing some practical solutions to the issues and challenges faced by transport system providers and users that will ensure this vital part of Australia can continue to grow and contribute to the nation’s overall prosperity. The Strategy’s long term goals are: - To unlock the economic and social potential of remote and regional areas through the development of appropriate transport infrastructure, services and regulation: - To enhance access to employment, education and health services across remote and regional Australia by improving transport infrastructure and services; - To ensure that the growth of transpo`rt infrastructure and services in remote and regional areas is sustainable and reflects the needs of local residents, transport operators, service provision and businesses; and - That policy and regulation is aligned across similar environments (i.e. cross border remote areas).