Explanatory Statement – Instrument 2017/2
The Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development approved the allocations for the Roads to Recovery programme, to run from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019, on 12 September 2014. The list was amended by Instrument No. 2015/1 made on 24 March 2015, Instrument No. 2015/2 made on 2 April 2015, Instrument No. 2015/3 made on 12 August 2015, Instrument No. 2016/1 made on 12 July 2016 and Instrument No. 2016/2 made on 31 August 2016, Instrument No. 2016/3 made on 14 October 2016, and Instrument No. 2017/1 made on 20 March 2017.
Subsection 88(1) of the National Land Transport Act 2014 (the NLT Act) allows the Minister to vary the List, where the Minister considers that one or more bodies will become responsible for part of an area, to direct some of the amount to that body.
As a result of the New South Wales Government’s Stronger Councils / Stronger Communities initiative, the Hornsby Shire Council’s boundary was reduced with the resulting increase to the City of Parramatta Council’s boundary.
This Instrument amends the Roads to Recovery List allocations to reflect the changes to the City of Parramatta and Hornsby Shire Councils accordingly.
The Instrument commences on 30 June 2017.
Overview
The Roads to Recovery programme, established under the National Land Transport Act 2014, was enacted to provide funding for road infrastructure projects across Australia. This Act, introduced by the Australian Parliament, aims to enhance regional development and connectivity by addressing infrastructure deficits and improving transport networks. The Roads to Recovery programme's allocations were approved by the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development on 12 September 2014, with subsequent amendments made to adjust for changes in council boundaries due to the New South Wales Government’s Stronger Councils / Stronger Communities initiative. The most recent amendment, Instrument 2017/2, was made on 30 June 2017 to reflect boundary changes between the City of Parramatta and Hornsby Shire Councils, ensuring the programme's allocations align with the current administrative divisions. This initiative seeks to efficiently allocate resources to areas that require significant infrastructure improvements, thereby supporting economic growth and community development.
Scope and Application
The Roads to Recovery Instrument, F2017L00640, pertains to the allocations for the Roads to Recovery programme as approved by the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. The instrument, which operates under subsection 88(1) of the National Land Transport Act 2014, applies to entities within the scope of the programme, specifically local councils responsible for certain areas designated for road infrastructure improvements. The programme covers a period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019, and its geographic reach extends across the Commonwealth of Australia. The allocations have been amended multiple times to reflect changes such as boundary modifications due to the New South Wales Government’s Stronger Councils / Stronger Communities initiative. These amendments ensure that funding is directed appropriately to the relevant councils, such as the City of Parramatta and Hornsby Shire Council, following boundary changes. The instrument came into effect on 30 June 2017, reflecting the most recent amendments to the allocations list.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislation, F2017L00640, involve adjustments to the Roads to Recovery programme allocations as per Subsection 88(1) of the National Land Transport Act 2014 (the NLT Act). This instrument, approved by the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, modifies the allocations in response to boundary changes due to the New South Wales Government's Stronger Councils / Stronger Communities initiative. Specifically, the alterations reflect the reduction in the Hornsby Shire Council's boundary and the corresponding increase to the City of Parramatta Council's boundary.
This Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, it mandates that the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development review and adjust the allocations for the Roads to Recovery programme to account for any changes in local government areas. This ensures that funding is appropriately directed to the relevant authorities responsible for the areas in question. Additionally, the Act requires the Minister to make these changes by issuing specific instruments, as evidenced by the various amendments listed in the explanatory statement.
The legislation also outlines consequences for non-compliance or improper conduct. While the specific provisions of the NLT Act regarding penalties for breaches are not detailed in this instrument, it is reasonable to infer that any misuse or failure to comply with the allocation adjustments could lead to legal ramifications. These might include financial penalties or other administrative actions as prescribed under the NLT Act. The exact nature and extent of these penalties would depend on the specific provisions of the overarching legislation, but they are intended to ensure that the programme's objectives are met effectively and that resources are appropriately allocated.