Warrnambool City Council (WCC), in partnership with the Infrastructure and Assets Directors from Councils within the South West Victoria Alliance of Councils, which include, Moyne Shire Council, Corangamite Shire Council, Glenelg Shire Council, Southern Grampians Shire Council and Warrnambool City Council, together in partnership with the Department of Transport and Planning, are seeking to undertake a study into the transport needs across the south west Victorian region as defined by the boundaries of the participating municipalities. The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has committed contributing funds and technical support to assist in the development of this evidence-based study.

This project has been instigated by the changing economic and social needs within the region, which are reliant on the state and local transport network and infrastructure. To enable continued efficient and effective business and social development across the region an integrated transport network plan needs to be established to inform projected needs, business case studies and investment models.

The project will assess the current transport network in the region across all modes of transport (Road, Rail, and Air). Through the evaluation of data and previous research including relevant state infrastructure and transport plans and objectives and dialogue with key stakeholder groups and engagement with industry the study will define future prioritised investment priorities to be established for the region.

The consultant will be required to draw on data and information contained in several regional and state documents which will be provided to the successful submitter. The outcome is an integrated transport network plan which has considered projected regional growth together with transport needs, logistics and connections.

In addition to the development of the study document, a working group will be established with key agency and industry representatives to contribute to the development of the study, ensuring implementation post final endorsement of the plan and facilitate advocacy on behalf of the region to enable the prioritised outcomes of the study to be realised and provide legitimate regional benefit. The working group formed through the commencement of this project will also establish the Governance Model to define their role, objectives, targets and reporting for both the project period and beyond to ensure implementation of the plan.

The aim of the project is to undertake a study of the existing transport networks (supported by a technical discussion paper) and develop a costed prioritised plan which will enable advocacy and investment strategies to be created and actioned (supported by an advocacy package which is suitably justified with evidence and costs).

 The project will:

• Identify the current status and projected growth and/or changes which influence the transport network.
• Identify key routes for freight movement of the major commodities within the region.
• Assist in the creation of an alliance with key transport related peak bodies and associations such as, Aust. Road Research Board, Rail Freight Alliance, Green Triangle Group etc.
• Investigate the current bridge weight limits within the region, to ascertain demands, capacity and suitability based on increased volume of large combination vehicles. This will include consideration of the regional bridges of significance to ascertain the future prioritising investment in key infrastructure across the region.
• Complete a detailed literature review of existing documents and strategies relevant to the region, including but not limited to Green Triangle Freight Strategy, Grain Industry Supply Chain Study, Dairy Supply Chain Study, Victoria Freight Plan and various Tourism/Visitor Strategies.
• Identify opportunities for improved public transport between the region's cities and large rural centres.
• Investigate possible options to improve access and connectivity, with a focus on the Region. For example, to support visitor/tourist sites through opening transport opportunities with new markets (road, rail and air travel from locations such as, Adelaide, Launceston etc.).
• Provide estimated timelines and costs associated with the preferred option/s respectively categorised.

The contractor must provide WCC with a detailed methodology of how they propose to undertake the development of the study and Governance Model to define the terms for the proposed Working Group model noting the proposed ongoing role of this group.