Reports
Actions for WestConnex: Assurance to the Government
WestConnex: Assurance to the Government
This audit assesses the assurance provided to the NSW Government for the initial stages of the WestConnex project.
The audit examined the WestConnex project from concept development to the pre-tender phase for Stage 1A – M4 (Parramatta to Homebush Bay). It did not examine the merit of the project or whether it represented value-for-money.
This audit found a number of shortcomings with the governance of the WestConnex project during its early stages and makes recommendations on how to better govern the remainder of the project to minimise the risk of failure.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #247 - released 18 December 2014
Actions for Volume Seven 2014 Focusing on Transport
Volume Seven 2014 Focusing on Transport
All agencies in transport cluster received unqualified audit opinions for the year ended 30 June 2014. The quality of financial reporting continues to improve with the number of misstatements identified during audits falling for the fifth year in a row.
Actions for Regional Road Funding - Block Grant and REPAIR Programs
Regional Road Funding - Block Grant and REPAIR Programs
In 2013–14, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) provided over $170 million to local councils through the Block Grant and REPAIR programs to spend on Regional Roads. Regional Roads are the link between State Roads and Local Roads.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #241 - released 8 May 2014
Actions for Volume One 2014 - Areas of focus from 2013
Volume One 2014 - Areas of focus from 2013
Today the Auditor-General of New South Wales, Grant Hehir, released his Volume One Report to Parliament for 2014. The observations included in this report are designed to inform readers of common findings from the 2013 financial and performance audits so agencies and audit committees can use them to identify issues that may be relevant to their organisations.
Actions for Liverpool to Parramatta Bus Transitway
Liverpool to Parramatta Bus Transitway
Several of my recent audits have identified a need to improve our public transport system – both for the benefit of travellers and to assist in achieving better air quality.
Bus Transitways can provide a good public transport solution for lower density population areas, potentially at a relatively low capital cost. This audit examines the transitway running between Liverpool and Parramatta, the first of several planned for Sydney. This audit should contribute to a better understanding of the lessons learnt from this first project, and so to future transitways providing better value for money.
But this audit also raises broader issues.
It highlights the importance of accurately projecting the total cost of major infrastructure projects before governments lock in their decisions. It also highlights the need for sound decision-making processes when government agencies compete with the private sector. The principles and recommendations flowing from these issues are ones I would draw to the attention of all agencies, and to the Government.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #146 - released 5 December 2005
Actions for Managing Disruptions to Cityrail Passenger Services
Managing Disruptions to Cityrail Passenger Services
About one in every twelve Sydney people travels by train each weekday.
Unplanned disruptions to services are inevitable, even on the best-run railways.
Because of the complexities of Sydney’s rail network, a single event can disrupt many services.
From a passenger’s perspective, three issues are important –
- how quickly the disruption is fixed (“When will my train arrive?”)
- the accuracy of information provided about the disruption (“Should I change my travel/meeting/other arrangements?”)
- how often the disruptions occur (“Should I give up on rail travel?”).
In this audit, we looked at how well RailCorp responds when there are routine disruptions to its CityRail passenger services. We focused on how RailCorp manages passenger journeys and informs passengers.
This report informs Parliament and the community about the limitations of the current system, and what more needs to be done in order to minimise the impact of disruptions on passengers.
It should also help passengers judge the extent to which they can rely on the information they receive, and to better understand some of the obstacles faced by staff.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #139 - released 22 June 2005
Actions for Follow-up of Performance Audit: Bus Maintenance and Bus Contracts
Follow-up of Performance Audit: Bus Maintenance and Bus Contracts
Periodically we review the extent to which agencies have implemented the recommendations they accepted from our earlier audits.
This gives Parliament and the public an update on the extent of progress made.
In this follow-up audit, we examine changes following our May 2002 report on how well the:
- State Transit Authority maintained its buses
- Ministry of Transport administered contracts for the provision of regular passenger bus services.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #138 - released 14 June 2005