The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released its annual report for the 2011-12 financial year.
NTC chief executive Nick Dimopoulos said the report highlights a productive year for the Commission, working with its partners on national reform priorities.
“We have continued to focus our energy and resources on delivering priority national reforms approved by the Council of Australian Governments and the Standing Council on Transport & Infrastructure.
“The NTC is proud of its role in ‘the engine room’ of national reform with governments, industry, unions and project offices.
“The approval of national laws to underpin the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and National Rail Safety Regulator was truly historic.”
Mr Dimopoulos said the efficient use and prioritisation of resources and strong financial management continues to be an organisational focus.
“NTC successfully delivered on an ambitious work program within its approved annual budget. Our operating expenditure in 2012-13 and beyond will be managed at a level consistent with annual funding by governments.”
Other key highlights from the past financial year include:
Transport ministers agreeing to a national set of road network access and operating conditions for modular B-triples that will enable these vehicles to access the current type 1 road train network on the same basis as double (type 1) road trains. Improvements to the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme, including the move to a system of national vehicle assessment and access decisions for PBS vehicles administered by the new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. This will give industry greater certainty of access to a defined network. Updated medical standards to assess whether private and commercial vehicle drivers are fit to drive safely. Australia’s first ever National Ports Strategy was submitted to the Council of Australian Governments for approval and preliminary implementation planning to deliver against the requirements of the strategy commenced. Strong progress on the journey to become a centre of excellence for transport reform, as recommended by the 2009 review of the NTC. This includes continuing to develop the skills of NTC staff, encouraging innovation and fostering knowledge-sharing networks with local and international leaders to enrich national reform.
“We look forward to continuing to work with our reform partners in the year ahead to achieve the best transport outcomes for Australia,” said Mr Dimopoulos.
A copy of the NTC’s Annual Report 2011-12 can be downloaded from the annual report section of the website.
