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Department of Transport and Main Roads

The Roads and Transport Alliance

The Roads and Transport Alliance (Alliance) is a cooperative governance arrangement between local governments and TMR, to invest in and regionally manage Queensland's road and transport network.

The Alliance was established in 2002 to create a more collaborative and coordinated approach to road management and investment, aligns with the Queensland Government's Partners in Government Agreement 2023 and operates under the Roads and Transport Coordination Accord (the Accord).

The Accord sets out the ongoing relationship between TMR and Queensland's local governments to best coordinate the investment and management of Queensland's road and transport network.

Under the Alliance, local governments voluntarily collaborate with TMR districts to form 17 Regional Roads and Transport Groups (RRTGs) across the State, which make local transport infrastructure investment decisions based on regional priorities. The main intent of the Alliance is to deliver regionally focused road and transport benefits, and to improve the knowledge, decision-making and capability of its members.

The objectives of the Roads and Transport Alliance are:

  1. Benefit-focused – maximise the investment on Queensland's road and transport network to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits
  2. Collaborative – achieve maximum efficiencies through collaboration and innovation in network planning, program development and delivery
  3. Capability development – improve technical skills through training, technology and knowledge transfer
  4. Safe and efficient road and transport network – optimise road safety on Queensland’s road and transport network.

Governance framework

Regional Roads and Transport Groups (RRTGs) are comprised of local government elected representatives and a Department of Transport and Main Roads District/Regional Director. RRTGs work collaboratively to regionally plan for and prioritise investment on road and transport infrastructure, including allocating funding to the highest priority projects and identifying opportunities for financial efficiencies. There are currently 17 RRTGs in Queensland.

Each RRTG is supported by a Technical Committee. The Technical Committee is responsible for local knowledge sharing and providing technical expertise and advice to RRTGs. These committees generally include senior civil engineering and/or program management officers of both Transport and Main Roads District and council members.

The TMR Director-General provides strategic direction for the Alliance and is supported by the Roads and Transport Alliance Project Team. The team is made up of officers from TMR's Local Government Partnerships team and is led by TMR's Executive Director (Government Partnerships).

Access RRTG operating documents

Funding

Local government and the State, through TMR, have a legislative responsibility to manage their respective road and transport networks and collaborate to deliver a safe and reliable network for Queensland communities.

The Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 makes provision for state road funding to be spent off the state-controlled road network, especially where this improves the performance of the network.

TMR established the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) under this authority in the mid 1990's to enable the department to provide funding for local government road and transport related initiatives which supported state government objectives.

TIDS funding is administered by TMR under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme Policy and the Roads and Transport Alliance Operational Guidelines.

Each Regional Roads and Transport Groups receives an annual TIDS allocation to support local transport infrastructure investment, based on regional priorities.

Projects eligible for RRTG works program consideration include local roads of regional significance, marine infrastructure, airport infrastructure, active transport infrastructure and safe school travel infrastructure.

Benefits of Alliance membership

The benefits of Alliance membership for councils include:

  • decision-making authority over funding within the region
  • less duplication of resources and effort
  • operational efficiencies through improved project coordination, scheduling and delivery
  • a structured forum through meetings to discuss broader road and transport issues across councils and council boundaries
  • improved road stewardship and workforce capability and capacity through training, technology adoption and knowledge transfer
  • access to funding for capability improvement initiatives that align with core Alliance functions through the Statewide Capability Development Fund (SCDF).

The Roads and Transport Alliance Annual Progress Reports

Each year the RRTGs provide information about the projects that have been delivered as a result of TIDS funding. TMR publishes this information, along with key achievements and successful collaborative initiatives, in an annual report.

If you require reports prior to 2013, please contact us.

Last updated 22 January 2024