Strategic infrastructure focus

The transport infrastructure assets of the SEATS’ region have been identified and analysed in a new study commissioned by SEATS.

The region covers 18 local government areas and the ACT between Wollongong and Dandenong.

The report, ’SEATS Strategic Network: A Preliminary Definition’, was conducted by Meyrick and Associates Senior Consultant Anya Richards and released late last month.

It provides a strategic way forward for the South East Australian transport network. The full report is on the SEATS website.

The report defines the region’s Strategic Network which is a hierachy of routes, links and assets that ensure connectivity both within and outside the region for freight and passenger traffic, and underpin the region’s economic and social development.

They are either owned or funded at local, state or federal levels. The Meyrick report then provides a preliminary list of 16 projects that would maintain and improve the Network’s routes and infrastructure.

SEATS intends using the Strategic Network to provide a collective focus for its future planning. It is also intended as a planning and funding tool because it promotes projects that go beyond the confines of individual councils and benefit the region as a whole as well as the individual states.

The Strategic Network consists of the following links: Princes Highway, Monaro Highway, Moss Vale-Sydney Rail, Bomaderry-Sydney Rail, Melbourne— Bairnsdale Rail, Strzelecki Highway, Federal Highway, Barton Highway, Snowy Mountains Highway, Illawarra Highway, The Hume Freeway, Kings Highway, South Gippsland Highway, Picton Road, Main Road 92, Port of Mel-presbourne, Port of Hastings, Port of Eden, Port of Port Kembla, Latrobe Intermodal Facility, Moss Vale Intermodal Facility, Dandenong Intermodal Facility, Moss Vale-Port Kembla Rail.

The report states the Princes Highway is the most vital link to business, regional development and communities along it in the region SEATS Network Committee, chaired by Ralf Kastan of Wellington Shire, will meet at Cooma on 8 October to consider the report which will be incorporated into SEATS’ overall plan.