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National Transport Commission CEO Nick Dimopoulos told the Roads Summit that he intends to effectively make this conference redundant by next year.

“A Roads Summit typifies the old modal, project-based, corridor-focused, fragmented, blame-shifting mind-set of the past,” he told delegates.

“Small ad-hoc road funding decisions don’t add up to smart transport infrastructure investment. And ad hoc regulations, pricing and planning decisions don’t add up to smart use of transport infrastructure we’ve already got.

“It’s time for governments, industry and conference organisers to shift their thinking on transport,” he said.

Mr Dimopoulos told about a brave new world, where “trains, trucks, trams, buses, cars, ships and planes all fit into the big picture.

“Our road, rail, air and sea transport systems must be planned and operated as an integrated network to meet the needs of its users.

The national transport plan, ‘New beginning for transport’, developed by the NTC on the request of federal minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, is “a plan for significant and decisive action to keep this nation moving.

“Last week, Australia’s Transport Ministers enthusiastically agreed to support a national approach to transport policy. Ministers will chart this new course by leading a number of working groups, which will report back to the next council meeting in May,” he said.

The following reform hotspots will be addressed by ministers:

• Economic Framework for Efficient Transportation Marketplace (NSW)

• Infrastructure Planning and Investment (VIC)

• Capacity Constraints and Supply Chain Performance (SA)

• Urban Congestion (VIC)

• Climate Change, Environment and Energy (WA)

• Safety and Security (QLD)

• Strategic Research and Technology (TAS)

• Workforce Planning and Skills (NT)

• Social Inclusion (ACT)

• Governance (Commonwealth)

Read the entire speech.

Download “A New Beginning: National Transport Policy Framework”.

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