Tuesday, 13 February 2024
As Austroads commemorates nine decades of contributions to Australia's transport landscape, it is fitting to reflect on its rich history and evolution. Since its inception in 1934, Austroads has been instrumental in developing and applying national standards to enhance transport outcomes across the country.
The organisation's journey began with a visionary proposal put forward by the NSW Minister for Transport in June 1933, leading to the establishment of the Conference of State Road Authorities (COSRA) in 1934. The inaugural COSRA meeting in Melbourne, on 14 February, marked the beginning of a collaborative effort among state road executives to exchange knowledge and improve road administration and practice.
From its first meetings, COSRA agreed to join the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC), and advocated for better coordinated border road works, and for uniform route markings, mile posting, road warning signs, and standard nationwide road designs.
In 1959, COSRA evolved into the National Association of Australian State Road Authorities (NAASRA), reflecting its transition into an organisation rather than an annual meeting. Focused on delivering a uniform approach to the national road system's development and improvement, NAASRA's establishment of the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) in 1960 further emphasised its commitment to research-driven road construction and management practices.
The transformative journey continued in 1989 when NAASRA was renamed Austroads, aligning with member organisations' efforts to integrate traffic, safety, registration, licensing, design, and construction activities. In 1993, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and Transit New Zealand became members.
Austroads' commitment to innovation was evident in 1993, when it commenced the development of the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS) to exchange vehicle and driver licence information across state borders. NEVDIS began operation in 1998.
In 1999 Austroads commenced work on a national telematics initiative, which evolved into Transport Certification Australia (TCA) in 2007. In 2018, the Transport and Infrastructure Council determined that TCA should be reincorporated into Austroads, formally assuming ownership in January 2019.
“Austroads' 90-year journey is a testament to our commitment to driving national transport standards and innovation. From our groundbreaking beginnings as COSRA to our current role, we continue to shape Australasia's transport landscape for the benefit of all," said Chief Executive Geoff Allan
“Austroads' expanded role in leading the delivery of complex projects to embed change into transport practice reflects the confidence our members have in capabilities and our ongoing commitment to delivering innovation and excellence,” Geoff said.