Designing solutions that create value

Timber bridge replacement program

Timber bridges have long been a reliable part of the Department of Transport and Main Roads' (TMR) network, with over 280 bridges, at an average age of 80 years. However, a significant portion of TMR's maintenance budget is spent maintaining these bridges, with lifecycle costs often exceeding the replacement cost.

Given their rural or low-trafficked locations, attracting funding to replace these bridges through traditional business case methods is challenging. To respond to this situation, TMR launched a pilot program to support staged replacement of the ageing timber bridge network.

Supporting this program, a structured framework was developed with several key elements to enable innovative and fit-for-purpose solutions:

• refined program criteria to identify candidate bridges
• a prioritisation tool to shortlist bridges for replacement
• evaluation of modular or standard bridge solutions ensuring cost-efficient and timely delivery for accelerated construction.

In 2024–25, the program moved into pilot implementation, with the first replacement bridge, located near Gympie in Wide Bay Burnett District, now progressing through the design phase. Site investigations and refined design criteria are being developed to support a pragmatic, efficient, and scalable bridge replacement process.

Case study: 50 cent fares deliver record customer growth

Fares on all Translink public transport services across the state were permanently reduced to a flat 50 cents per journey on 10 February, following a six-month trial that commenced in August 2024. This includes Translink bus, train, ferry, tram, and on demand services in South East Queensland, as well as urban buses in regional Queensland.

TMR worked with its public transport service delivery partners, other agencies, and external stakeholders to implement the initiative which included:

• systems changes
• marketing and customer communication activities
• network and operational readiness
• temporary service uplift
• service capacity tracker improvements
• temporary park 'n' ride expansions
• day-of-operations monitoring and reporting.

The introduction of 50 cent fares has made fares affordable and equitable for all customers, making public transport more accessible than ever.

Customers have embraced the change with more than 176 million trips taken in South East Queensland since 50 cent fares were introduced, saving customers more than $349 million. Patronage in South East Queensland was 16.8 per cent higher than the same period the previous year. Patronage in the 2024–25 year was the highest on record.

Regional Queenslanders are also benefitting, with patronage on regional urban buses growing more than 31 per cent across the state compared to the previous year.

Customers are enjoying the simplicity of knowing every journey is a flat 50 cent fare, rather than thinking about the complexity of zones, concessions, frequent user discounts, and peak or off-peak pricing. Despite an increase in passengers, customer satisfaction has remained high with more people speaking positively about public transport and almost one in five taking a public transport journey for a new reason.

Whether travelling for work, study, shopping, appointments, or leisure, 50 cent fares have not only made travel more affordable but also made it easier for customers to choose public transport.

For more information: https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/50-cent-fares

Work continues to Close the Gap

TMR continued to make positive strides towards achieving targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap through First Nations workforce initiatives, removing barriers to employment and strategic community engagement.

Significant milestones in 2024–25 included expanding TMR's identified roles from two to nine, a 350 per cent increase.

The Yarn and Grow mentoring program retained 100 per cent participation across the 12-month pilot. Designed to centre First Nations ways of working, the program connected 11 mentees with culturally capable mentors to support career progression, personal growth, and cross-cultural learning. Outcomes were substantial, five participants advanced into permanent or higher duties roles within six months, with others reporting improved confidence, career clarity, and stronger cultural identity.

Additionally, TMR collaborated with Bigambul Traditional Owners, supporting First Nations trainees to complete their 20 hours practical training to obtain Traffic Controller Industry Authority Cards.

These initiatives directly align with Closing the Gap Priority Reforms. They contribute specifically towards targets 8 and 10 of the national agreement, underpinning TMR's commitment to systemic change and economic empowerment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For more information: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/about-us/corporate-information/publications/indigenous-strategy-roadmap

Case study: Transforming lives in Regional Queensland

The ID Connect (Toowoomba) event was held on 3–4 September 2024 in Toowoomba. The event significantly improved access to essential identification services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Darling Downs region. Originating from the 2023 Indigenous Workforce Action Group, ID Connect (Toowoomba) directly addressed employment barriers like lack of formal identification and licences.

Over two days, the event facilitated 285 services for 247 attendees aged between 14 and 71 years old. TMR provided identification services to 57 individuals, including learner licence applications, while partners delivered additional support, including 92 birth certificates funded by Pathfinders. Positive attendee feedback underscored the event's welcoming environment and effective service integration, described by many as 'life-changing'.

Notably, a family of five overcame longstanding barriers by obtaining learner licences, enabling future employment and social opportunities. Following the success in Toowoomba, TMR is adopting the ID Connect model statewide, further aligning with TMR's First Nations Strategy and Closing the Gap commitments, and driving meaningful community change across Queensland.

Operational Data Centre

The Operational Data Centre is a pivotal enhancement in the management and analysis of road operations and traffic data within Queensland's state-controlled road network. 

To support effective decision-making and gain insights from the Queensland's state-controlled road network, TMR has traditionally relied on substantial traffic datasets that include key metrics for speed, flow, and vehicle counts. These datasets are used across various branches and regional offices without a centralised system, leading to inconsistent and delayed reporting.

Addressing this inefficiency, TMR introduced the Operational Data Centre, a platform that centralises traffic data within TMR's tenancy in Amazon Web Services cloud environment. Adhering to TDx standards, the Operational Data Centre utilises data warehouse technology to convert raw data into organised 'data marts' tailored for common reporting needs. This enables stakeholders the ability to quickly produce customised reports using modern applications, making data analysis and dashboard creation much more efficient.

The creation of the Operational Data Centre Cost of Excessive Congestion data marts and tableau reports replaced antiquated systems and manual Excel reporting. Utilising data from STREAMS-connected devices such as traffic sensors and variable speed sign, traffic experts can now easily analyse the cost ramifications of transit network delays, aligning with national performance indicators. Far from traditional travel time analyses, this modernised approach not only allows the analysis of incident impacts into detailed trends but also aids in the comparative analysis for infrastructure developments.

Case study: Keeping Queensland informed and moving during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred

With severe weather events increasing in frequency and severity, Queensland's capacity to respond effectively is crucial.

In March 2025, Queensland's transport network was tested by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which brought damaging weather conditions to South East Queensland, including intense rainfall, strong winds, and flooding.

TMR was at the forefront of that state's response to this unique event, ensuring the continuation of transport services and the safety of the network's uses. Working in coordination with internal and external stakeholders, emergency services, and other areas of government to assess impacts and ensure the community was protected from any potential danger.

TMR utilised a number of communication strategies to ensure the community was provided with the information they needed to make safe travel decisions including:

• a dedicated webpage was developed for centralised updates and links to key information
• digital platforms, included social media, were used for a trusted source of real-time safety alerts, road closure, and public transport services
• media alerts were issued to communicate major transport updates through the press and directly to the community.

The communication strategy was effective at ensuring the important messages reached those impacted with over 2000 page views and 67 per cent engagement rate on the dedicated webpage and high engagement on all social media posts.