Implications of the new street design regulations for asset managers in local government and public utility authorities by John Derbyshire

Abstract

Recent initiatives by the State government to promote more walkable communities will have a significant impact on how local government and public utility assets will need to be managed in the future. The State government has recently enacted regulations requiring significantly more street tree planting and footpaths than has been provided in the past. It also represents a paradigm shift in the way all new subdivisions must be designed. It has also produced a Model Code for Neighbourhood Design which will set the framework for future planning schemes. In parallel with these initiatives, the IPWEAQ, with the support of the State government, had embarked on a project to produce a new Street Design Manual that contemporizes its previous manuals, Queensland Streets and Complete Streets. The information in this manual is consistent with the regulations and model code provisions and provides more detailed guidance on subdivision and street design for residential neighbourhoods. The IPWEAQ is now offering training courses for the Street Design Manual focusing on the change in approach to neighbourhood design. The intended outcomes of these initiatives will not be achieved if the detailed design and construction practices fall short of the design intent. This applies to both local government assets and the assets of all utility service authorities. There will be significantly more of these street assets for local governments to maintain and therefore there are future financial and risk implications if the detailed design and construction practices are inadequate. In addition, there is a need for a change in the approach of all utility service authorities in the use of service corridors and their installation standards. Greater coordination is needed between service authorities and with local government, as well as a need for developers to exercise greater control over utility service installations. The author demonstrates that many of the current construction practices are inadequate. The paper covers the range of issues that local governments, the development industry and utility service authorities need to address. Local government asset managers and development assessors therefore need to take a lead role in ensuring the design intent is achieved by ensuring durable low-maintenance assets are installed complying with the design intent. It proposes a means by which local governments might coordinate with one another, as well as with developers and utility service authorities to address the emerging issues. The IPWEAQ can play an important role in assisting to achieve this end, but it requires champions from local government to drive the needed changes