Commissioner’s Foreword
I am proud to present Main Roads Western Australia’s 2016-17 Annual Report.
It's been a busy year for Main Roads and our focus on delivering Western Australians a sustainable road system that is safe, efficient, reliable and integrated with the rest of the transport network has never faltered.
I am especially proud of the agency’s ability to adapt and evolve in response to the changing priorities and interests of our many stakeholders.
With dedicated and professional staff, Main Roads is well placed to fulfil its role in delivering and managing one of the nation’s most expansive road networks and I am proud to lead an organisation recognised as being such a prominent infrastructure agency within State Government.
This dedication was certainly evident when we look at how our people responded to the devastating impact of the floods earlier this year on our customers and the road network when 60 percent of the South West road network was out of action.
It has been another year of significant milestones for Main Roads and this annual report highlights a number of significant achievements including finalising the award of contracts for NorthLink WA. This project, together with Gateway WA, will see Perth’s freight corridors become some of the most productive and efficient road freight systems in Australia.
Management of traffic congestion continues to be one of our highest priorities with its impact on our already car-dependant city seen on the road network in peak periods every day of the working week. We are seeing positive results from key projects delivered as part of the Traffic Congestion Management Program many of which are highlighted through this report.
Over the last twelve months we have continued to take a holistic view of the key role that transport plays in our State’s economic growth. We have specifically focussed on the considerable benefits offered by a cohesive, integrated approach to the planning, investment and delivery of Western Australia’s transport system.
Main Roads works very closely with our portfolio partners, the Department of Transport and Public Transport Authority, to plan transformational projects and ensure we are maximising the use of existing infrastructure and services to keep the State moving.
This approach is clear in the Transport @ 3.5 Million: the Perth and Peel Transport Plan for 3.5 Million People and Beyond. The plan, released in February 2017, identifies the long-term infrastructure requirements, network optimisation and travel demand management strategies needed to keep Perth and Peel moving as it grows towards a population of 3.5 million people.
In the coming year the Portfolio will continue to work together to review and revise the plan to include the State Government’s METRONET and land use planning initiatives.
Roads are the most extensive part of the transport network and will continue to play an important role in the State’s future transport system. As my first year as the Commissioner comes to a close, it is clear that this is an exciting time for Main Roads and our portfolio partners. Recognising this partnership approach I am pleased to also announce the release of our inaugural report Connecting People and Places, an overview of the Transport Portfolio’s highlights over the last year which is available on our website.
There are many planned projects and innovative changes that will provide significant benefits to our communities and the State’s economy over the coming years. It is a privilege to lead such an organisation and to have the opportunity to showcase some of Main Roads’ achievements over the past 12 months. I look forward to what I’m sure will be another productive year for transport in Western Australia in 2017-18.
Richard Sellers
Commissioner of Main Roads