Bundaberg Regional Council has released a draft of its “leading-edge” Road Investment Strategy which will help to prioritise works across its more than 3000 kilometre network.
The draft strategy is now open for community consultation until Friday April 16.
Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said the strategy aimed to prioritise upgrades to Council’s extensive network.
“Stretching throughout our region Council manages 3084 kilometres of sealed and unsealed roads,” Cr Trevor said.
“It’s important to have a strategy in place that prioritises works to ensure we are proactively managing new projects and maintenance in the most efficient and sustainable manner.
“Having the Road Investment Strategy will help us to ensure we invest wisely in road infrastructure while maximising safety and meeting the expectations of our ever-growing community.”
General Manager Infrastructure Services Stuart Randle said Australian Road Research Board was engaged to partner with Council in the development of the strategy.
“They are the technology leaders in government road management,” Stuart said.
“They’ve helped us develop a fit-for-purpose project prioritisation framework.
“In my view its leading-edge.
“It’s as good as anyone is doing in Local Government anywhere.”
The Road Investment Strategy outlines the long-term approach to the management of road assets. Key objectives of the strategy include:
- Adopting a proactive, risk-based approach to asset management to achieve good value for money
- Ensuring an objective, transparent and consistent approach to prioritisation of capital works is applied based on whole of network needs
- Providing clear prioritisation of future projects based on level of service criteria
- Ensuring the efficient delivery of Council’s long-term capital works program on time and on budget
- Managing the road network to ensure the safety and wellbeing of road users and provide the sustainable use of existing and future infrastructure
- Understanding and meeting the demands of growth through managing infrastructure investment to support local industry and the community
- Increasing community resilience to natural hazards and disaster events
- Focussing on continued improvement of asset management practice
Residents are encouraged to provide their feedback on the Road Investment Strategy by visiting the project page on the Our Bundaberg Region community consultation website.