IQ-RAP
IQ-RAP Updates
- 23 Decemeber, 2016 [PDF]
- 25 August, 2016 [PDF]
- 20 May, 2016 [PDF]
- 21 March, 2016 [PDF]
- 29 February, 2016 [PDF]
- 7 January, 2016 [PDF]
IQ-RAP Overview
The RDA Townsville and North West Queensland Committee initiated the concept of an inland roads action plan in late 2013, based on the success of the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ Bruce Highway Action Plan in securing funding commitments over 10 years. RDA engaged with four other RDA Committees and a broad range of stakeholders to hold forums in Longreach and Mount Isa to test the need, opportunity and appetite to progress the initiative which has become known as the Inland Queensland Roads Action Plan (IQ-RAP). This plan is the first of its kind in Australia based on taking a strategic network-wide approach, over a long period, over such a large area with so many contributing stakeholders.
IQ-RAP is a bipartisan project funded by 33 local governments, 8 Regional Roads and Transport Groups, 4 RDA Committees, the NQ RDA Alliance and RACQ to drive regional economic development across regional Queensland. The IQ-RAP will deliver sustainable jobs, improve productivity for existing industries and businesses along supply chains, enhance competitiveness of exporters, support new private sector investment and improve resilience and connectivity for the delivery of goods and services to communities.
The IQ-RAP was publicly launched in Charters Towers in February 2016. These are "final drafts" for consultation with key government stakeholder. Minor amendments will be made as required based on feedback with a final revised version expected in May, 2016.
The vision for the IQ-RAP is to increase the quality and accessibility of the road network to maximise the economic prosperity of inland Queensland, thereby contributing to Australia’s productivity, quality of life, safety and equity outcomes.
The IQ-RAP area covers 1.4million km2 which equates to 82% of Queensland and 19% of Australia. It is an economic powerhouse with the resources and energy, agriculture and tourism industries contributing significantly to export income and national GDP. 52% of Queensland’s economy, that is $150 billion p.a. is generated outside Greater Brisbane.
With the assistance of the Harrison Infrastructure Group, the IQ-RAP was developed using established roads planning and prioritisation methodology including the use of multi criteria analysis that reviewed Economic Value, Safety, Strategic Intent, Access and Social value.
The plan reviewed a total of 16,000 km of strategic road network and identifies 3,000 km of roads and 300 bridges that require upgrading to fit for purpose standards over the next 18 years. There is no “gold plating” or “blue sky build it so they will come”. The priorities are based on current demand and suitable standards to meet that demand.
An average of $277 million p.a. expenditure over 18 years can achieve these prioritised upgrades to the road network as well as achieving the regional economic benefits mentioned above.
Over 18 years, the investment required to deliver the IQ-RAP is $5 billion. That is roughly equivalent to 0.19% of the regional economy and communitites it supports.
IQ-RAP Full Plan
- Inland Queensland Roads Action Plan – Full Version [PDF: 5785]
- Inland Queensland Roads Action Plan – Overview [PDF]
Stakeholder Engagement
The IQ-RAP Working Group has briefed more than 200 stakeholders on the IQ-RAP. Click here for summary.
Presentations
IQ-RAP presentation at Queensland Transport Infrastructure Conference, Brisbane 11 May 2016 [PDF]
Letters of Support for IQ-RAP
Senator the Hon Barry O'Sullivan
Civil Contractors Federation - Letter to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester
Gulf Savannah Development - Letter to Minister Darren Chester
Senator the Hon James McGrath, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister - Letter to Minister Darren Chester
Mr Tim Nicholls, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Planning, Small Business, Employment and Trade - Letter to Minister for Resources and Northern Australia
Mr Ewen Jones MP, Member for Herbert
Queensland Resources Council - Letter to Minister Darren Chester
Queensland Resources Council - Letter to Queensland Minister for Main Roads/Deputy Premier/Treasurer
Central Highlands Development Corporation - Letter to Minsiter Darren Chester
Queensland Farmers' Federation
Infrastructure Association of Queensland
Isolated Children's Parents Association Queensland
Queensland Tourism Industry Council
Outback Queensland Tourism Association
Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia
Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone
Media Releases
IQ-RAP Key to creating more regional jobs 21.3.16
Senator Supports IQ-RAP 8.3.16
Driving Productivity in Australia's Transport Network 1.2.16
Media - Letters to the Editor Published
Cyclones and Flooding Impact Road Network (Burdekin Advocate) 17.5.17
Regional Roads In Line For Massive Growth (Innisfail Advocate) 13.5.17
Bruce Hway Closures Hit Our Road Network (Queensland Country Life) 11.5.17
Bruce Hway Closures Hit Our Road Network (North Queensland Register) 11.5.17
Robust Road Network Vital For Prosperity (Townsville Bulletin) 6.5.17
Roads Priority In Advancing The North (North West Star) 5.7.16 Also printed The Land/Queensland Country Life
Fixing Rural Roads Must Be A Government Priority (Burdekin Advocate) 29.6.16
Long Way To Go On Our Roads (Townsville Bulletin) 28.6.16
Kudos for Ando's Drive (Townsville Bulletin) 7.6.16
Fair Go for Roads (Townsville Bulletin & Cairns Post) 21.4.16
Road Plan Right Way (Townsville Bulletin) 26.3.16
RDA Offers Funding Clarification (North West Star) 20.2.16
Media Coverage
The IQ-RAP Working Group has regularly generated media interest in the IQ-RAP. Click here for a summary.
Key Road Infrastructure Related Resources
Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
Transport and Infrastructure Council
TIC Report on Queensland Expenditure on Key Freight Routes
Infrastructure Australia
Australian Logistics Council
Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads
Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP)
Queensland Transport and Logistics Council
August 2014 Forum - Mount Isa
The second Regional Roads Forum was held on 28 August 2014 in Mount Isa.
The purpose of the Forum was to bring key stakeholders from local, state and commonwealth governments together in order to develop a highly strategic program of prioritised road and transport infrastructure projects for consideration and investment over the next 15 years.
36 representatives from stakeholder organisations, including the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Regional Road and Transport Groups (RRTGs), Regional Development Australia, and local governments attended the forum to continue working towards the development of a Queensland Roads Action Plan - focusing on key priority routes west of the Bruce Highway and outside of South East Queensland.
Outcomes of the forum included agreement to:
- collaborate on the development of a Queensland Roads Action Plan (QRAP)
- form a Working Group
- the Draft Terms of Reference for the Working Group
- support RDA Townsville and North West Queensland as the secretariat for the Working Group.
Queensland Regional Roads Interim Working Group
As a result of the Longreach forum, an Interim Working Group was formed to undertake initial work to establish a platform for a coordinated stakeholder approach to advocacy efforts relating to funding of Queensland’s Regional Roads. The goal of the Interim Working Group was to prepare the Terms of Reference for a Working Group and complete desk top research to compile information that will be useful going forward.
December 2013 Forum - Longreach
The Queensland Regional Roads Forum was held in Longreach on 4 December 2013 at the initiative of the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committees from Townsville and North West Queensland, Far North Queensland and Torres Strait, Fitzroy and Central West, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday and Darling Downs and South West.
50 representatives from organisations with a direct interest in roads attended the forum, such as the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, local government Mayors and Chief Executive Officers including those involved with Regional Roads Groups, RACQ, Agforce, regional economic development organisations and transport organisations amongst others. Collectively we were able to identify a way forward that will encourage stakeholders to work together on a coordinated approach to prioritising Queensland's regional roads and effectively lead to better outcomes for road management.
