New super department to control NSW transport

By Sam Collyer - www.lloydslistdcn.com.au

NSW Premier Nathan Rees announced the change on June 11th, as part of an overhaul of the public service, a move he insisted would not result in job losses.
The creation of NSW Transport and Infrastructure resembles changes introduced in Victoria by former Premier Jeff Kennett in the 1990s.
Rees said the Ministry of Transport, RailCorp, Roads and Traffic Authority, State Transit Authority, Sydney Ferries, Public Transport Ticketing Corporation and Waterways would all fall under the single entity.
However, there has been no immediate indication of any wholesale change to the way ports were managed or structured.
Rees said the move signalled the end of "Government agencies operating as independent silos".
He said the new entity would ensure all State Government departments were working towards a single strategy at a time of increased infrastructure spending.
“The change will deliver better coordination of road and public transport services for the community ensuring that infrastructure is built where the greatest need exists," he said.
“Transport is one of the Government’s highest priorities with more than 10 per cent of the State’s budget invested in roads and public transport."
Les Wielinga will be acting director general of the new department.
The freight industry has long argued that its task was complicated by having to deal with multiple departments from three levels of Government, both in terms of daily operations and long-term planning approvals and strategy.

Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au