Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) chief executive Andrew Craig says the $1.6 billion road funding package announced yesterday by Prime Minister John Howard provides a good opportunity for government to work with business to improve infrastructure spending.
"Queensland business should be consulted about priority road projects before additional funding is allocated," Craig says.
"Significant investment into ‘productive infrastructure' in Queensland to increase business competitiveness is no longer desirable but a necessity.
"We need a more efficient and cost-effective transport network that better integrates road, rail, air and sea links."
Shadow Transport Minister Martin Ferguson agrees that an integrated vision is required.
He says he welcomes the federal package as a "belated first step (but it still) falls short".
"While those communities lucky enough to receive funds will obviously benefit, the package falls short of the long-term infrastructure plan that regional Australia has been crying out for," Ferguson says.
"Where is the vision for rail, public transport and other transport modes?
"Labor will be looking closely at the details of the package to make sure it is fair."
Howard released a plan that entails $1.6 billion being spent over the next four years.
He says $1.2 billion will be distributed directly to local government under the Roads to Recovery program for local road construction and repair.
A further $400 million over four years from the 2001/02 year will be allocated to roads of national importance and national highways to develop key arterial link roads in outer metropolitan areas.
Details of these projects will be released next year.
"Queensland has faired well in today's announcement," Craig says.
"I hope that we will also feature prominently next year when Mr Howard details projects to develop (the) key arterial link roads."
Craig says he would like to see Queensland councils consulting local QCCI representatives about the needs of businesses in regional and rural areas
"The package provides an opportunity for government in Queensland to work more closely with business and industry to address our urgent infrastructure needs," he adds.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson, says $850 million of the funding will be spent in rural and regional Australia.
"There is no doubt that local road funding is a critical issue, especially in rural and regional Australia where much of the local road network was built in the 1950s and 1960s," Anderson says.
He says local government authorities will be required to maintain their existing spending on roads.
A special funding Bill should pass through Parliament before Christmas.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) says the spending package is an important first step in restoring genuine and consistent national road funding levels.
"Australia's infrastructure requirements must be addressed strategically and go beyond one-off payments," Andrew Higginson, ATA chief executive, says.
"They require a long-term vision to ensure that Australia's infrastructure investments are made where the country gets the best bang for its buck.
"Currently, Australia has no dedicated means by which funding can be provided for infrastructure projects nor an effectiveness measure by which money provided for roads is actually tracked to being spent on roads.
"Australia also lacks any criteria or accountabilities in relation to the construction and maintenance of roads by state or local governments."