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User:Declan Palmer/Department of Transport (Victoria)

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Department of Transport (victoria)

Department of Transport
(DOT)
Company typeGovernment Agency
Founded2008
FounderGovernment of Victoria
Headquarters
Melbourne, Victoria
,
Australia Australia
Area served
Victoria
Key people
Jim Betts ([[Secretary]])
ServicesCoordinate, integrate and regulate the State's transport system

The Department of Transport or DOT is the central Government agency which is responsible for the coordination, integration and regulation of the transport system in the state of Victoria, Australia.


Agencies

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DOT oversees and coordinates the activities of the state agencies responsible for the transport system in Victoria. These agencies can be divided into three main types - statutory offices, statutory authorities and independent transport safety agencies.

Together with DOT, the agencies provide, manage and regulate transport system activities in Victoria including -

  • heavy and light rail systems including trains and trams
  • roads systems and vehicles including cars, trucks and bicycles
  • ports and waterways including commercial ships[1] and recreational vessels
  • some air transport systems[2].

Statutory offices

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The statutory offices include -

  • the Director of Public Transport
  • the Transport Infrastructure Development Agent.

These agencies are part of the Department of Transport but each has a distinct statutory charter and powers[3].

Statutory authorities

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The statutory authorities[4] are -

These agencies are structurally separate from the Department of Transport.

Independent transport safety agencies

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The independent transport safety agencies[5] are -

  • the Director, Transport Safety (Transport Safety Victoria)
  • the Chief Investigator, Transport Safety.

These agencies are part of the Department of Transport but are functionally independent and report to the relevant Ministers[6].

Governance

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The activities and powers of the Department of Transport are governed by both the portfolios of its Ministers, the Minister for Roads and Ports and the Minister for Public Transport, and by the Transport Integration Act.

The Transport Integration Act provides that the objects of the Department are to -

(a) ensure that a transport system is provided consistent with the vision statement and the transport system objectives;
(b) determine strategic policies which specify priorities for the transport system that address current and future challenges;
(c) ensure in collaboration with transport bodies and other bodies that policies and plans for an integrated and sustainable transport ::system are developed, aligned and implemented."[7]

The Act provides that the "...principal function of the Department is to assist the Minister in the administration of this Act and other transport legislation..."[8] Other functions conferred on the Department include[9] -

  • leading in the improvement of the transport system, including the development and construction of new transport infrastructure and services
  • developing strategies, plans, programs and projects relating to the transport system
  • undertaking operational activities including transport system operations, asset management and project management
  • collecting transport data and undertaking research into the transport system
  • leading in strategic policy, advice and legislation functions and coordinating policy and legislation advice relating to the transport system.

The Act also provides the Secretary of the Department with a range of specific powers including the power to enter into any agreement or contract[10].

References

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  1. ^ Note, some shipping matters are controlled by the Commonwealth under legislation such as the Navigation Act 1912. Other matters are within the jurisdiction of states such as Victoria through Acts such as the Transport Integration Act and other statutes like the Marine Act 1988.
  2. ^ Note, many air transport regulation matters are controlled by the Commonwealth Government. The Transport Integration Act would apply, for example, to planning controls at some airports and in respect of transport connections to other airports by road and rail.
  3. ^ For information relating to the Director of Public Transport, see Division 1 of Part 5 of the Transport Integration Act 2010. The charter and powers of the Transport Infrastructure Development Agent are set out in Division 4 of Part 3 of the Transport Integration Act 2010.
  4. ^ See Parts 5 and 6, Transport Integration Act 2010.
  5. ^ Part 7, Transport Integration Act 2010.
  6. ^ Section 194, Transport Integration Act 2010.
  7. ^ Section 32, Transport Integration Act 2010.
  8. ^ Section 33(1), Transport Integration Act 2010.
  9. ^ See section 33(2), Transport Integration Act 2010.
  10. ^ See sections 34-37, Transport Integration Act 2010.
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