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Insider
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Transport & Infrastructure News
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What’s inside? A quick look at what’s in today’s edition: |
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1. CEO Update
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TA road user charge polling gains national traction |
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2. Policy News
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National RUC poll results and TA advocacy in action |
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3. Programs
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Fellows to gather in Melbourne |
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4. Upcoming Events
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Waleed Aly to MC the John Shaw Dinner |
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5. People Moves
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Latest appointments from across the transport sector |
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6. Industry News
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Latest developments across the transport sector |
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CEO UPDATE |
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You may have seen Transport Australia in the news this week.
Our national poll on road user charging (RUC), commissioned with support from members Q-Free and Transurban, landed prominently in the Australian Financial Review. We surveyed over 1,200 Australians. The results show there is strong support for a per-kilometre road user charge.
This is shaping up to be one of the most significant piece of tax reforms for our nation in recent memory. And the conversation we are leading is now landing where it matters – among policy makers in government and across Parliament House. |
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Over the past fortnight, our Executive Director of Government Relations and I have been in Canberra briefing decision-makers from the Prime Minister’s office, Treasurer, Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson, the Greens, and key Independents.
Our polling is helping inform thinking on a reform that is critical for the future of Australia’s roads. More than that, it gives us insights into where the debate is headed, and where the opportunities lie for a fair, sustainable road funding system for all.
Media attention aside, the fuel crisis is further encouraging EV sales and is exposing how vulnerable our road funding model is to disruption. It is not a sustainable position for a country so dependent on land transport. That’s why the conversation has shifted from ‘if’ to ‘how’ and ‘when’. |
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Be part of the conversation. Send your news and updates to Insider.
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POLICY NEWS |
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National RUC poll results
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While the political debate shifts in Canberra, our national polling shows most Australians support replacing the fuel excise with a road user charge. That support increases when reform means better road maintenance.
Key findings include:
· Majority (59 per cent) Australians support replacing fuel tax with a per-kilometre road user charge, rising to 71 per cent among EV/ Hybrid drivers.
· Support rises when reform is linked to better road maintenance (65 per cent).
· Support is stronger in Queensland (67 per cent) and among people living in cities (66 per cent).
· Majority (53 per cent) believe all drivers should contribute equally to road maintenance regardless of vehicle type, and this is stronger (64 per cent) among EV/ Hybrid drivers.
· 51 per cent believe EV and hybrid drivers should begin paying a road user charge now, there is also support for a phased start, especially among EV/hybrid drivers.
· Only around one-third say they know how roads are funded; most do not.
Members can contact Nicole McLean, Executive Director – Policy and Government Relations at Transport Australia, for a full briefing on the results. |
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TA advocacy in action
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Beyond RUC, while on the ground in Canberra, we’ve raised member feedback on the fuel crisis and insights from our Valuing Australia’s Transport Network report.
Our position is consistent: transport is the enabler of all major national priorities. Australia must invest accordingly.
Encouragingly, there is a genuine appetite across party lines for long-term reform. The conversations are not just being heard, they are being welcomed.
We are having these conversations at the right time in the lead-up to the Federal Budget and will continue to advocate for the needs of the entire transport sector and work with all sides of politics towards a more integrated and sustainable transport system. |
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PROGRAM |
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Fellows to gather in Melbourne
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The mid-year Fellowship event in Melbourne is shaping up as an important milestone in the 2026 program, bringing Fellows together in person as they prepare to begin their Group Policy Project.
Designed as a key touchpoint in the Fellowship calendar, the event will combine connection, leadership insight and practical direction, helping set the tone for the second half of the program.
In exciting news, the winners of the 2025 group policy project, WA Group 8, will set to present their work Average Speeds, Safer Lives at the Transforming Transport Summit in Melbourne on 7 May.
WA Group 8 includes Brad Sherlock of BG&E, John Perrot of KBR, Monica Raju of GHD, Rajit Patel of Georgiou Group and Tania Anglin of Laing O’Rourke.
Their presentation will give this year’s Fellows and the broader Summit audience a strong example of the quality, collaboration and industry relevance the Fellowship program is designed to foster. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Waleed Aly to MC the John Shaw Dinner
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With one month until the Transforming Transport Summit and John Shaw Dinner, we are thrilled to announce that renowned journalist and broadcaster Waleed Aly will serve as Master of Ceremonies at this year’s John Shaw Dinner.
He will host the evening at Crown Palladium, Melbourne on Thursday 7 May for the first time, bringing together the presentation of all industry awards.
The awards will be given to four industry leaders, including John Shaw Medal, Ray Fisher Award for Technical Excellence, Fellowship Alumni Award, and the Emerging Leader Award.
Early bird ticketing closes next week.
Read full event details for the John Shaw Dinner.
Dress Code: Black-tie. |
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New Summit speaker announcement
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The Transforming Transport Summit agenda is live now, with new speakers announced, including Amanda Yeates from Arup, Adam Copp from Infrastructure Australia and Dr. Jonathan Spear from Infrastructure Victoria.
Their session will focus on how to optimise the transport system and boost capacity.
These events are made possible through strong industry support. Thank you to Arup, major partner for the Summit and Trans-Tasman Delegation, and Summit event partners BG&E, Systra, BMD and the Victorian Government.
The John Shaw Dinner is supported by presenting partner Gamuda, entertainment partner Ferrovial and Arcadis, who is supporting Transport Australia to deliver a sustainable event. Ventia is the pre-Summit networking event.
Full Summit agenda |
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PEOPLE MOVES |
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Australian Construction Association has named Peter Colacino as its new CEO, effective 4 May. Outgoing CEO Jon Davies will remain until June to support the transition. |
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Transurban appointed Nicole Stoddart as Acting Group Executive Australian Markets. |
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Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility officially transitioned Neil MacDonald (former CFO of National Intermodal Corporation) into his new role as CEO. |
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Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) Chief Executive Jon Whelan has been appointed Chair of the Austroads Board. |
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Ventia welcomed David Teller as General Manager Strategy and Growth – Transport in March. |
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Arup (Melbourne) promoted Elena Gavazzi to Principal. |
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Paul McCormick has joined Mott MacDonald as transport market leader in Australia. |
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INDUSTRY NEWS |
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WT wins Sydney Metro West independent estimator role
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WT has secured a key role on Sydney Metro West, as independent estimator for the linewide system package on the new 24-kilometre underground rail link between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.
The Package includes trackwork, power systems, tunnel ventilation, lighting, drainage, fire systems, and a new control centre at Clyde.
Sydney Metro West is expected to complete in 2032. |
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Jacobs signs #SaferRoadsPledge
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Jacobs has signed the global #SaferRoadsPledge, reinforcing its commitment to safer road design and to advancing better road safety outcomes around the world. A global leader in engineering, construction and scientific services, with offices in more than 40 countries, Jacobs joins a growing international movement focused on embedding safer standards into the way roads are planned, designed and delivered.
The pledge supports continued engagement with road designers, financiers and road design software providers to strengthen the role of safety in road design, projects and policy, with the shared goal of saving lives. |
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New guideline to help children travel safely to school
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Most kids want to walk, ride or scoot to school. But active travel has dropped from 75 per cent in 1979 to just 25 per cent in 2019.
Liz Irvin, Principal Transport Planner at Stantec helped develop a new Austroads guideline to reverse that trend. It gives schools, councils and parents practical tools to make school travel safer and healthier, from reducing traffic around school gates to supporting independent travel.
The guideline is free to download on the Austroads website. A launch webinar will be held on 30 April. |
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Get in front of industry. Contribute to the next edition of Insider, out 23 April.
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