2.1
This chapter outlines some of the key issues discussed during the hearing for the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications portfolio on 14 February 2022.
2.2
The committee heard from the following areas of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the department) and portfolio agencies:
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Corporate Matters Divisions (People, Governance, Parliamentary and Communication; and Legal Divisions);
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Infrastructure Divisions (Infrastructure Investment, and Major Transport and Infrastructure Projects Divisions);
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Transport Divisions (Domestic Aviation and Reform; International Aviation, Technology and Services; and Surface Transport Policy Divisions);
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Regional Divisions (Regional Development, Local Government and Regional Recovery; Territories; and Cities Divisions);
Civil Aviation Safety Authority;
Australian Rail Track Corporation;
Australian Maritime Safety Authority; and
Corporate Matters
2.3
Mr Simon Atkinson, Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, read a short statement detailing some of the recent achievements of the department including:
delivery of more than 130 programs and $10.8 billion towards infrastructure projects;
the department’s largest ever total transport infrastructure investment of $12.8 billion;
release of the aviation recovery framework to aid Australia’s aviation sector in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic;
commencement of the third phase of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program; and
the transition of responsibility as state service provider for Norfolk Island from New South Wales to Queensland.
2.4
Topics discussed with the committee for the Corporate Divisions included:
funding for projects that have been decided but not yet announced;
impact of skills shortages on project delivery; and
advertising budget for the department.
Infrastructure
2.5
Topics discussed with the Infrastructure Divisions of the department included:
unallocated budget in the Commuter Car Park Fund;
Tasmanian infrastructure projects including the Bridgewater Bridge, northern transit rail line, and the Hobart Airport interchange;
funding and progress on roads of strategic importance;
progression on congestion-busting projects under the Urban Congestion Fund;
oversight of Queensland rail projects; and
Infrastructure Australia board appointments.
Transport
2.6
Questioning of the Transport Divisions centred primarily on the following topics:
road safety and the national road freight network;
Brisbane Airport noise issues;
regional airport security; and
flight paths around the Western Sydney Airport.
Regional
2.7
Committee members had questions for the Regional Divisions across a range of projects and City Deals including:
Hobart City Deal projects;
redevelopment of Albert Hall in Launceston;
the river health action plan in the Launceston City Deal;
updates on prospective city deals in Melbourne;
progress on the Barkley Regional Deal; and
the Rockhampton Stadium project.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
2.8
The committee heard evidence from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on a range of topics including:
regulatory burdens on regional aircraft operators;
culture issues within the aviation industry; and
potential effects of regulatory changes on search and rescue aircraft.
Australian Rail Track Corporation
2.9
The committee received updates on various aspects of the rail industry including:
repairs to rail lines damaged by flooding in South Australia;
resilience modelling for natural disasters;
consultation on the business case for an extension of Inland Rail from Toowoomba to Gladstone;
alignment of the Inland Rail;
new railway bridge in Euroa; and
appointment process for the agency’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
2.10
Discussion with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority canvassed several topics including:
bullying and harassment training;
staff access to TOIL and other arrangements;
work to combat plastic pollution in the ocean; and
deployment of oil spill recovery equipment.
Airservices Australia
2.11
The committee received an update on several activities of the agency including:
noise monitors around Brisbane Airport;
task resource analysis to establish minimum staffing levels required for airport rescue and firefighting services; and
measures taken to combat bullying and harassment in the agency.