National Land Transport Network Determination 2020

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2020L00851 In force Legislative Instrument

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Explanatory Statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Land Transport Network Determination 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development

 

  1. legislative context

Section 5 of the National Land Transport Act 2014 (the Act) requires that the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development determine a National Land Transport Network (Network). The principal purpose of determining the Network is to support the construction and maintenance of nationally significant transport corridors.

This determination replaces the National Land Transport Network Determination 2014. The updated Determination will come into effect on 1 July 2020.

2.                       content and effect of the new determination

2.1.                 Overview of the Network

The underpinning rationale for determining the Network is connectivity. The criteria outlined in section 5 of the Act emphasise the connectivity between capital cities and/or major centres of commercial activity and inter-modal transfer facilities.

The Network includes:

  • Interstate and interregional road and railway links that are nationally important for trade and commerce or travel; and
  • Local and urban road and railway links to ports, airports and other inter-modal transfer facilities, which also connect to interstate and interregional transport corridors.

2.2.                 Network Update

2.2.1.   Major Additions 

The Network has been updated to include major road and railway links, including projects recently completed, underway or proposed:

New South Wales

The Northern Road connecting the proposed Western Sydney Airport; the proposed Sydney Gateway project connecting Kingsford Smith Airport and Westconnex; access to Newcastle Port through John Renshaw Drive; and connecting the Princes Highway to Port Kembla.

Victoria

The West Gate Tunnel; Eastlink, North East Link, and Metropolitan Ring Road; connecting the Dynon Intermodal Terminal directly to the Network; access to Port of Melbourne via Webb Dock Drive; the Princes Highway from West of Colac to the South Australian border; and the standard gauge railway from Ararat Station to Maryborough Station.

South Australia

Connecting the Port of Whyalla to the Network via the Lincoln Highway; and increasing connectivity between Melbourne and Adelaide by adding the Princes Highway from the Victorian border.

Western Australia

Greater connectivity from Perth to the Port of Geraldton via the Brand Highway; connecting the Reid and Tonkin Highways in Perth; and the addition of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road.

Northern Territory

Access to Darwin Airport.

Queensland

The Mount Lindesay Highway to Bromelton Intermodal Terminal and the Cairns Ring Road Stage 1; and connecting the Bruce Highway to Gladstone and Mackay Ports.

Tasmania
Connecting the Port of Hobart to the Network via the Brooker Highway.

 

2.2.2.   Major Deletions and amendments 

The Network has been updated to remove several major road and rail links formerly listed on the Network:

New South Wales

New England Highway from Beresfield to Branxton and Weakleys Drive at Newcastle.

Victoria

The Goulburn Valley Highway at Shepparton has been amended to follow the Shepparton Alternative Route.

South Australia

Rosewater rail loop; and Port Wakefield Road between the Salisbury Highway and the Northern Expressway has been replaced by the completed Northern Connector.

Queensland

The Gore and Warrego Highways now follow the route of the new Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. The Network reflects this update.

 

2.2.3     Minor Amendments

A small number of amendments have been made to the Network to address issues identified in the National Land Transport Network Determination 2014. Some minor road connections have been added to the Network to ensure connectivity between the additions listed above and the existing Network.

Changes have also been made to style and nomenclature throughout the Determination. These include the revision of road names, and using consistent terminology throughout the document.

The structure has been streamlined through the removal of ‘urban’ and ‘non-urban’ designations. This restructure of the Determination has necessitated the introduction of a cross-jurisdictional section.
 

3.                       best practice regulation

3.1.                 Regulatory Assessment

This instrument does not involve any regulatory or quasi-regulatory measures.

4.                       CONSULTATION

State and territory transport agencies were consulted on updates to the Determination.  

Overview

The National Land Transport Network Determination 2020, issued by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development under section 5 of the National Land Transport Act 2014, seeks to establish a cohesive and efficient national transport network to support the construction and maintenance of nationally significant transport corridors. This legislative instrument, which replaces the National Land Transport Network Determination 2014, came into effect on 1 July 2020, and aims to enhance connectivity between capital cities, major commercial hubs, and inter-modal transfer facilities. The determination includes updates to interstate and interregional road and railway links, as well as local and urban connections to ports, airports, and other inter-modal transfer facilities. The updated Network incorporates major additions such as new road and railway links in various states, while also removing and amending certain road and rail links to reflect current infrastructure developments and needs.

Scope and Application

The National Land Transport Network Determination 2020 applies to interstate and interregional road and railway links, as well as local and urban road and railway links that connect to ports, airports, and other inter-modal transfer facilities, which are important for trade and commerce or travel. This legislation, issued under the authority of the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, specifies the national land transport network and replaces the previous determination from 2014. The geographic reach of this Act is national, covering all states and territories within Australia. It aims to support the construction and maintenance of nationally significant transport corridors as required by Section 5 of the National Land Transport Act 2014. The updated determination includes major additions such as new road and railway links across various states, while also making amendments and deletions to previous entries. The Act does not introduce any new regulatory measures but involves consultation with state and territory transport agencies for updates to the determination.

Key Provisions

The National Land Transport Network Determination 2020 (the Determination) sets out the National Land Transport Network (Network) as required by section 5 of the National Land Transport Act 2014 (the Act). The Determination, which replaces the previous determination from 2014, lists specific road and railway links that are nationally important for trade, commerce, and travel. These links include interstate and interregional corridors as well as local and urban connections to ports, airports, and other inter-modal transfer facilities (section 2.1). The Determination outlines the obligations for state and territory transport agencies to ensure the maintenance and improvement of the identified transport corridors. It also includes updated additions such as the Northern Road in New South Wales and the West Gate Tunnel in Victoria, as well as deletions and amendments to the previously listed links (section 2.2). The updated list aims to reflect recent projects, completed or underway, and proposed future developments, ensuring that the Network remains relevant and efficient. State and territory transport agencies bear the responsibility to ensure that the transport links identified in the Determination are maintained and developed in accordance with the criteria set out in the Act. This includes ensuring connectivity and the efficient flow of goods and people across the Network. The agencies must also work collaboratively to address any identified issues and to implement any minor amendments necessary to maintain the integrity and functionality of the Network (section 4). The Determination does not impose any specific regulatory measures but outlines the importance of best practice regulation and consultation with relevant transport agencies (section 3.1). However, failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Determination could result in civil or criminal consequences under the Act, though specific penalties are not detailed in the Determination. The overarching objective is to support the construction, maintenance, and improvement of nationally significant transport corridors to facilitate trade, commerce, and travel within and between states and territories.

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