Media Releases

'TRUCKIE' DECOUPLING BAY ON THE WAY IN VICTORIA

Planning work will soon begin on a new decoupling bay for truck drivers at Nhill.

CASA AND ATSB APPOINTMENTS

Today I announce a number of significant appointments to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) - the nation's two key aviation safety agencies.

ROAD USER CHARGE ADJUSTED

Following a significant increase in road spending by governments across Australia, the Road User Charge imposed on Heavy Vehicles will be adjusted from 21 to 21.7 cents per litre effective from 1 July 2009.

OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING CELEBRATES TWO LANDMARK ROAD PROJECTS

More than $170 million worth of high-profile road infrastructure projects will be officially commissioned today (26 June) by Senator Jan McLucas and Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace in Townsville.
(Media release issued by Jan McLucas, Senator for Queensland and Craig Wallace, QLD Minister for Main Roads)

RECORD NATION BUILDING INVESTMENT IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The Australian Government today announced an additional $220 million nation-building investment in community infrastructure, such as libraries, community centres, and sports grounds and environmental infrastructure.

NEW AUSTRALIAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Australian Government has delivered $8 million for the new Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government - the first of its kind in Australia - to promote best practice, innovation and professionalism in local government.

2009 NATIONAL AWARDS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT - NATIONAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Today, I announce the two National Winners of the 2009 National Awards for Local Government.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANDATES NEW LIFE SAVING TECHNOLOGY

All new models of cars, passenger vans and off-road vehicles sold in Australia will soon be fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), technology with the potential to reduce a motorist's chances of being involved in a fatal accident by 25 per cent.

PLANNING STARTS ON UPGRADE OF THE BRUCE HIGHWAY AT GIN GIN

Planning has started on the upgrade of the southern approach of the Bruce Highway in Gin Gin, Queensland Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace, and Federal Member for Flynn, Chris Trevor announced today.
(Media release issued by Chris Trevor, Federal Member for Flynn and Craig Wallace, QLD Minister for Main Roads)

LONG AWAITED UPGRADE TO COMMENCE IN PORT HEDLAND

Following the selection of preferred builders work is expected to start within weeks on the first stage of the upgrade of the Great Northern Highway in the Pilbara.

SYDNEY AIRPORT MASTER PLAN 2009

Today I have approved Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport's 2009 Master Plan - but in doing so I note its long term forecasts are further evidence that Sydney will require new airport capacity.

WORK STARTS SOON ON BRUCE HIGHWAY UPGRADE STAGE THREE

Next week Civil Mining and Construction Pty Ltd will start work on the $10.4 million stage three upgrade of the Bruce Highway through Gympie.

NEW STATS: ANNUAL FEDERAL ROADS BUDGET UP 70 PER CENT

New statistics confirm the unprecedented scale of the Rudd Labor Government's roads budget which is already supporting jobs today by building the road infrastructure Australia will need tomorrow.

VITAL NATION BUILDING LEGISLATION PASSES THE PARLIAMENT

Federal Parliament has today passed the legislation necessary to deliver the Rudd Labor Government's Nation Building Program, the largest ever investment in the nation's transport infrastructure and essential to supporting jobs.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION WORK STARTS THIS WEEK ON KEMPSEY BYPASS

Construction of the new $618 million Kempsey Bypass on the NSW Mid North Coast has moved a step closer with detailed planning and engineering work set to get underway on site this week.

GEELONG RING ROAD OPEN AND ALL CLEAR TO WAURN PONDS

Drivers travelling between Melbourne and the Victoria's Surf Coast can complete quicker, safer and easier trips all the way to the Princes Highway at Waurn Ponds - and not face a single traffic light - with a celebration today to mark the opening of Stage 3 of the Geelong Ring Road.

AUSTRALIA TO JOIN UNITED NATIONS ANTI-PIRACY FIGHT

Australia has today strengthened its commitment to international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa.

IMPROVED NOISE SHARING AT SYDNEY AIRPORT

The first stage of essential safety work on Sydney Airport's east-west runway has been completed on schedule, allowing restrictions on its use to be significantly eased from next Monday.

STUDY INTO ROCKHAMPTON'S FUTURE TRANSPORT NEEDS

The Rudd Labor Government has approved $5 million to investigate ways to reduce the impact of flooding on the Bruce Highway and identify Central Queensland's longer term transport infrastructure needs.

ALLIANCE ANNOUNCED FOR SPRINGVALE ROAD RAIL PROJECT

Work on the Springvale Road Rail Separation at Nunawading is on track with the VicRoads alliance partners announced today for the $140 million project.
(Media release issued by Tim Pallas, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports and Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin)

VARSITY LAKES INTERCHANGE UPGRADE READY TO GET UNDERWAY

The Federal and Queensland governments today announced a $21 million contract has been awarded to Probuild Civil (Qld) Pty Ltd as part of the $80 million upgrade of the Varsity Lakes Interchange (Exit 85) on the Pacific Motorway.

FIRST LEVEL CROSSING UPGRADES NEARING COMPLETION IN QUEENSLAND

The first eight of 66 level crossing upgrades funded in Queensland under the Rudd Labor Government's Economic Stimulus Package will be completed by the end of this month.

TRAVEL TO TASMANIA AND THE MAINLAND IS NOW MORE AFFORDABLE

Following the first annual review of the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme (BSPVES), the financial assistance it provides has been lifted.

FIRST LEVEL CROSSING UPGRADES COMPLETED IN VICTORIA

Sixteen of the 59 level crossing upgrades funded in Victoria under the Rudd Labor Government's Economic Stimulus Package have now been completed.

NEW CONGESTION-EASING OVERPASS ABOUT TO OPEN TO TRAFFIC

A new overpass linking Bushland Beach, Mount Low and the Bruce Highway will open to traffic early next week as part of the federally-funded $52 million upgrade of the Bruce Highway between Woodlands Shopping Centre and Veales Road.