Questions and answers
FAQ's
- Road Classification Review
- Regional Road Transfer
- Land use
- Road stereotype
- Lane and shoulder width
- Horizontal alignment
- Roadside hazards
- Intersection density
- Access density
- Traffic volume – rural roads only
- Speed limit – rural roads only.
1. What is the purpose of the Regional Road Transfer and Road Classification Review?
The Regional Road Transfer and Road Classification Review Program is made up of two initiatives being delivered as one project:
As part of business as usual activities, road classifications across the State need to be evaluated on a regular basis. Road managers periodically need the opportunity to seek reclassification where the function or usage pattern of a road has changed, perhaps due to the construction of new transport infrastructure or changes in population density. This process will ensure that roads are being appropriately managed and funded, in line with the role they play in the network.
The transfer of up to 15,000 kilometres of Regional Roads from Council to State management aims to lighten the load on regional and rural councils who are finding the maintenance of their council owned regional roads difficult or even unmanageable. This class of road has broader significance for the State, which is reflected in the financial assistance provided by government to councils for their maintenance. However, councils have made representations to government over a number of years to ask for further relief with some of these roads. The return of certain Regional Roads to State management will ensure they are able to be maintained in line with their significance to the broader network, and in a way that supports the social and economic health of communities across the State.
The overall purpose of the Program is to contribute to a better managed, contemporary road network for NSW, with benefits that include supporting regional growth, ensuring the funding available to maintain our roads is appropriately distributed, and promoting healthy communities through place-making and engaging with other forms of transport.
2. What are the economic and planning principles of the Future Transport 2056 Strategy?
The Future Transport 2056 Strategy is a 40-year vision for NSW’s transport system. The six outcomes underpinning the strategy are:
1. Customer focused
2. Successful places
3. A strong economy
4. Safety and performance
5. Accessible services
6. Sustainability.
Future Transport 2056 Strategy can be downloaded here: https://future.transport.nsw.gov.au/
The work of the Independent Panel aligns with other government policies and plans, including the Heavy Freight Vehicle Access Policy Framework, the Road Safety Plan and other State and national frameworks either existing or in development.
3. Will there be future rounds of the Program?
For the Regional Road Transfer initiative under the Program, the transfer of regional roads is intended to be a unique process to ease the burden on regional councils.
For the Road Classification Review initiative under the Program, in its final report the Independent Panel may propose some recommendations to adjust the reclassification framework including the process of future reclassifications.
4. What is the program timeline for the Full Round?
The Full Round was open for submissions from 27 September 2021, with applications open for 21 weeks until 28 February 2022. The application period was extended from the original closing date of 24 December 2021 due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and local government election period at the start of December 2021.
The Full Round application form requested information on Government Commitments, what does this mean?
If the reclassification of a road and/or transfer of road has been a Government commitment, supporting information should be provided in the application form. For example, this support could be a media release, letter from Minister or Member of Parliament.
6. Can councils provide feedback about road classification, transfer or funding arrangements?
The Terms of Reference of the Independent Panel outline considerations that inform policy related to roads classification and transfer frameworks.
The Independent Panel undertook engagement with industry and councils throughout the program.
The Independent Panel used feedback obtained throughout its engagement with industry and councils to inform recommendations to Government.
7. What opportunity will councils and other stakeholders have to provide input into the Program?
The Independent Panel values input from all types of road users, councils and industry.
The Panel consulted with councils and affected stakeholders across the State during the Priority Round and welcomed further comments and feedback as the program progressed to the Full Round via email through roadreview@transport.nsw.gov.au. Stakeholders will also be kept updated via the website: nswroads.work/roadreview
8. When will the full project be completed by?
The Independent Panel plans to deliver its final recommendations to the NSW Government following the evaluation of the Full Round of submissions. Due to the high volume of submissions the Panel expects to deliver its final report to the NSW Government by late 2022.
The NSW Government will announce the outcomes of the Full Round following their consideration of the final report and the recommendations of the Panel, at which time the Panel’s final report will be published. Timeframes for this are to be confirmed.
9. Which councils were eligible to make submissions for road reclassification?
All Councils across NSW were invited to participate in the Road Classification Review.
Applications involving submissions on Crown Land, forestry and national parks were ineligible.
Submissions were also able to be made by Transport for NSW. Transport Submissions are evaluated against the published criteria by the Independent Panel and follow the same process.
It should be noted that 7000 series unclassified roads were also eligible for reclassification and/or transfer.
10. Which Councils were eligible to make submissions for Regional Road transfer?
Eligibility has been determined based on Restart NSW boundaries. A list of councils eligible to submit their council owned regional roads for transfer is provided at our website: nswroads.work/roadreview.
It includes all councils outside Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
The majority of NSW’s regional roads are located outside metropolitan areas, although a small number are located within metropolitan areas. Where metropolitan councils believe their council owned Regional Roads are no longer performing as Regional Roads, and are therefore receiving inadequate funding, they were able to submit to have them considered for reclassification, but cannot be considered for transfer.
Submissions were also able to be made by Transport for NSW. Transport submissions are evaluated by the Independent Panel against the published criteria and taking into consideration the views of stakeholders affected by the proposal, as with all other submissions.
11. When can we expect to hear if we are successful in the Priority Round submission?
The Interim Report was published on 21 September 2021. The report can be found here:
https://yoursay.transport.nsw.gov.au/56414/widgets/289905/documents/214990
12. What happens if our application was not successful in the Priority Round?
The Priority Round was short round to capture a small group of urgent cases and network adjustments, and to test the process and framework for the full round. Applications not supported could reapply in the Full Round.
Lessons learned from the Priority Round saw refinements to the application process for the Full Round, including additional information required by the panel to make informed recommendations. Councils which submitted an unsuccessful application in the Priority Round were encouraged to resubmit applications in the Full Round with the additional information.
The Independent Panel is an advisory body which will make recommendations to Government with final decisions made by the Government.
13. What assistance is available for bushfire, drought or flood-affected councils?
The Independent Panel and NSW Government acknowledge that many council areas have experienced and may currently be experiencing hardship associated with natural disasters.
One of the program outcomes is to ease the burden on regional councils and road users around the State. Financial information to support the Independent Panel in gaining an understanding of the benefits of a reclassification or transfer was sought in the application process.
The Independent Panel is also acutely aware of not unduly increase workloads in affected areas throughout the application process.
14. My Council has been affected by the floods in NSW. Will there be any extensions of time granted to flood-affected Councils?
Affected Councils were advised to contact the Program Secretariat at roadreview@transport.nsw.gov.au as soon as possible to alert the Program Team that they were delayed in submitting their application during the application period.
15. Given the extreme weather experienced in NSW in 2021, will we need to perform a new condition assessment as part of our data submission?
In light of the recent extreme weather experienced in NSW there may be changes to the road condition than what is reflected in an official condition report. Councils were advised to provide any relevant information in their application to supplement documents in the event road condition has been affected by extreme weather events.
16. What impact will the review and transfer have on State and Federal Government funding sources for councils?
The Independent Panel does not have any authority to make recommendations about Federal Government funding allocations.
Transfer of a council owned Regional Road to State management may result in a commensurate reduction in Block Grant funding or any other funding attached to that road which correctly sits with the road manager. Note the Financial Assistance Grant program funding managed by the Federal Government is only relevant for roads reclassified from local to regional.
Reclassification may also lead to reallocation of funds in cases where a road attracts different funding streams based on its classification, or where the road manager changes through classification, or both.
However, the overall level of funding is outside the Terms of Reference for the Independent Panel and will be a matter for Government.
17. Will roads being reclassified or transferred need to be brought up to standard before they are reclassified or in a specified timeframe after transfer?
The implementation process is a matter for the NSW Government. The Independent Panel will recommend individual roads for reclassification and / or transfer.
The implementation of the Regional Road Transfer and Road Classification Review is complex and Transport for NSW is working closely with councils to facilitate the implementation of all recommendations of the Priority Round and will announce the implementation of these outcomes as they occur.
18. Will existing arrangements under Road Maintenance Council Contracts (RMCCs) be maintained?
The Panel was not tasked with reviewing contractual maintenance arrangements on the road network. Its focus will be road classifications, management responsibilities and funding allocations.
The recommendations of the Independent Panel will be based on sound research and consultation. They will aim to promote the values and priorities of the Future Transport 2056 Strategy, including a commitment to a strong economy and successful places.
The Panel acknowledges that the RMCCs are important to local councils, to ensure strong economies, local employment and capable local road maintenance crews. The Panel will ensure consideration is given to maintaining local employment in roads maintenance works, such as through RMCC and direct employment by councils, and supporting economic growth in the regions
19. If I applied to transfer a council Regional Road, will it become a State Road?
Some councils have let the Panel know they are not clear on how a Regional Road will be classified once transferred.
A Regional Road transferred to State management would not become a designated State Road unless it met the criteria to be reclassified. A transferred Regaion Road would become the responsibility of the State as the manager. The transfer process is independent of the classification process.
A State Road is part of the primary network of principal traffic-carrying and linking routes for the movement of people and goods throughout the state.
A Regional Road is part of the secondary network which provides for travel between smaller towns and districts and performs a sub-arterial function within major urban centres.
If you nominated a Regional Road for transfer, this does not constitute a request to reclassify the road as State Road.
More detailed criteria to describe the features of a State Road and a Regional Road can be found starting at p.12 of the Information Paper which can be found in the program website: nswroads.work/roadreview
The full picture of governance arrangements for transferred roads will be a matter for Local and State Government to determine.
20. Is it possible that roads will be reclassified that haven’t been submitted by Council?
This is possible as Transport for NSW was also eligible to make submissions to the Independent Panel for reclassification, as has been the case in previous years.
The Independent Panel will carefully consider the rationale and impact to stakeholders in making its recommendations to Government.
21. Will Transport for NSW submissions be prioritised above council submissions? What if there is conflict between a Transport for NSW and council submission?
All submissions will be considered equally and in line with the consistent evaluation framework.
The Independent Panel is conscious of the need for transparency and fairness in this process. All submissions will be considered against the framework. Where there may be a conflict between affected parties, the Panel will refer to the program outcomes, objectives and strategic principles which underpin the framework to inform its recommendations to Government.
22. If a neighboring Council does not agree with the submission could a joint submission still be submitted?
The Panel recommended that Councils review the context of the road within the region it supports and consult with neighbouring Councils on applications and obtain consent from these affected Councils prior to submission.
Councils may still have made applications without support of neighbouring Councils but must provide justification and/or evidence that is has sought feedback and input from all stakeholders as part of the application process.
23. Can councils make submissions on multiple roads?
There was no limit to the number of submissions a council can make for this Program.
Councils were recommended to consider the program objectives and its strategic and/or operational plans in selecting which roads are most suitable for transfer to State management or consideration for reclassification.
There is a maximum total cap of 15,000 kilometres of roads can be transferred to State management under the priority and full rounds of the program, irrespective of the outcome of the evaluation process.
24. Could roads be grouped in one application?
Each application is assessed against the evaluation framework including whether the road meets the proposed new classification. Due to the nature of the application and evaluation process, this requires specific road information including asset condition, current road classification, road attributes and the financial impact to be assessed. As a result, it was not possible to assess a group of roads within the one application. However, if there are continuous sections of a single road that should be considered within the one application, this is acceptable.
25. Can we change which road is being reclassified or transferred after it has been supported?
Once the Independent Panel has submitted its recommendations a decision will be a matter for Government.
26. What if I don’t have the complete information requested in the application form?
The essential information requested in the application form enables the response to be evaluated to proceed through Gate 1 of the evaluation process.
This information also supports assessments related to alignment with the program outcomes and evaluation criteria.
The majority of the information requested forms part of business as usual activity for councils and is not expected to create additional work. In the event there is missing information from an application, the Secretariat followed up with the applicant to clarify.
27. What is the Infrastructure Risk Rating reference in the Application Form?
Infrastructure Risk Rating (IRR) is a road safety risk assessment methodology that is calculated by coding the following road and roadside features:
An online map-based tool for calculating IRR can be accessed via http://www.irrtool.com/
28. How do I use SmartyGrants?
SmartyGrants is a secure, online portal which provides a platform for submission and assessment of project applications. It is used by many government agencies in the management of grant funds.
Councils were required to create a SmartyGrants login to access and lodge submissions.
You can find general information on submitting applications through SmartyGrants at the following web address: https://applicanthelp.smartygrants.com.au/
29. How do I use the Transport Mapping tool?
The Transport Mapping tool was specifically developed to support this program and provides a whole network view of the three road types, its regional context and any key freight routes, strategic areas, points of interest, education, health and transport hubs.
Applicants were issued with a login to access the mapping tool, and can select the relevant application forms in SmartyGrants to map out sections of road to which the application relates..