Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme
The Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) is part of a funding program aimed at supporting local transport infrastructure needs of regional, rural and remote communities throughout Queensland.
The program seeks:
- to improve access to, and liveability within, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- support economically viable industry developments in regions (eg. tourism, freight transport in and to remote areas)
- develop bikeway networks and set-down facilities at schools to improve road safety.
Expenditure through TIDS in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is managed specifically to assist building capacity in road construction, maintenance and management activities. An annual state-wide funding allocation of A$13 million across Queensland's 34 communities is provided to improve access and transport infrastructure (such as roads, aerodromes, barge ramps and jetties). Far north region's Remote Communities Services Unit (RCSU) play a pivotal role in capacity building for these regional indigenous councils and workforces by providing employment and training in plant operations and maintenance, plant licences and road construction operations.
A TIDS funding strategy to provide all weather access to transport nodes is now, through this process managed by RCSU, fully complete in all communities. An ongoing commitment to improve access to these remote centres is ongoing and progress has been significant over the last 5 years. Some achievements include an additional 50 kilometres of bitumen seal with improved drainage on access roads, bitumen sealing and paving of town streets in both the Cape York communities of Pormpuraaw, Lockhart and Hopevale and Torres Strait Island communities such as Hammond, St Pauls and Mabuiag. The goal however, has been the provision of much needed employment and training opportunities for local workers.
In the Torres Strait, a Heavy Equipment Management and Training Program (HEMTP) or "plant pool", managed by RCSU, has supported significant infrastructure upgrades for the past ten years. HEMTP grew from the recognition that at the time (around 2001) many councils could not, by themselves, acquire and properly maintain much needed heavy equipment. Also without this plant and training, many councils were unable to carry out essential civil works. The vision therefore was for a movable plant and equipment pool to be available to all communities for infrastructure needs, operator training and serviceable in an equitable and cost effective manner. Through the management and coordination of this plant by RCSU and funding through the TIDS program and other government agencies, the "plant pool" has transformed the Torres Strait communities into the 21st century.
Another major achievement has been the sealing of all 11 aerodromes, sealing or paving of all town streets, access to transport nodes and provision of a number of housing subdivisions and sportsfield upgrades. Overall the program aims to provide capacity building, management training to local island workers through participation in civil projects and access to heavy machinery and value for money through coordination of infrastructure delivery and sharing of resources has been achieved.
The amalgamation of all Torres Strait councils into one may see a transformation of HEMTP management from RCSU to the new Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC). Transport and Main Roads far north region will continue to support the region and TSIRC workers with training, supervision and management as long as required.
