Engaging with industry

Cape Retail Scheme

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is currently delivering a retail scheme for communities across the Northern Peninsula, Torres Strait, and Gulf region.

This retail subsidy, which is administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority, directly benefits consumers who receive a 20 per cent discount on essential items at the checkout of participating retail outlets.

This Queensland Government funded scheme is aimed at supporting communities who experience higher transportation costs as a result of supply chain challenges and long distance freight haulage.

With every $100 spent on eligible essential goods, customers are receiving a saving of $20. Eligible essential goods include fruit and vegetables, meat and dairy, frozen goods, and groceries.

For more information: https://qrida.qld.gov.au/program/remote-communities-freight-assistance-scheme

Geoscience Australia data sharing for a location-enabled Australia

In 2020–21, TMR commenced a data-sharing partnership with Geoscience Australia, laying the groundwork for enhanced global positioning services across Queensland.

A key element of this partnership is the operation and maintenance of TMR's Continually Operating Reference Station (CORS) network. Through a series of global positioning sites across the state, the CORS network delivers reliable, precise spatial data that supports various sectors including surveying, mapping, aerial systems, and construction. This data improves the efficiency of TMR's operations and maintenance programs.

TMR is the fifth largest contributor to the Positioning Australia CORS network. This year, TMR expanded the network by adding nine new CORS sites, increasing TMR's total count to 59 stations. These additional sites have further improved access to precise mapping data in regional Queensland. TMR plans to continue extending this network to allow precise mapping data across Queensland.

New Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Access Regime program

TMR has continued the partnership with industry stakeholders, local governments, and other road management bodies to co-design the new Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Access Regime.

As a responsible asset manager responding to the needs of industry, TMR is progressing well in delivering on agreed national reforms. These reforms include the implementation of the National Automated Access System (NAAS) for heavy vehicles and reducing required permits by 90 per cent within five years.

For Queensland, the NAAS will feature the Heavy Vehicle Access Management System, which generates a dynamic route map and reduces the need for permits. TMR is working with Telematics Certification Australia to incorporate telematics, providing road use data for better infrastructure investment decisions.

TMR has recently delivered the automated access regime for Queensland Australian Defence Force vehicles, reducing permits by 98 per cent, and is now focused on the NAAS rollout for Class 1 Oversized Overmass vehicles.