Ms Sally Stannard has been appointed as the Director-General of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Photo: Screenshot.
The Queensland Government has announced that the Acting Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Sally Stannard, has been appointed to the role on a permanent basis.
Ms Stannard is a senior executive and transport professional who has worked in senior roles in the transport sector for over 16 years. She has a wealth of experience across the public and private sector, and has deep knowledge of the department.
She was appointed as Acting Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads in June 2023, replacing Neil Scales in the role.
In a 1 December release, the Queensland Government said Ms Stannard is deeply passionate about the role of transport in the Queensland economy and about the opportunity for the public service to shape investment decisions to benefit the community.
Apart from Queensland, she has worked in NSW and Victoria advising government agencies and operators across the transport sector and spent a significant period of her career working as a senior executive in the Translink Transit Authority, including leading the Translink Division.
In a recent online message to the department, Ms Stannard said the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) would continue to deliver an affordable and sustainable program of investment.
This includes projects such as the Pacific Motorway Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade, the Gold Coast Light Rail, the Coomera Connector, and the Pacific Motorway Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade.
Other projects include the Bruce Highway Caboolture – Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way upgrade, Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section D, Walkerston Bypass, Townsville Ring Road, Kennedy Developmental Road, as well as progressive sealing, and new generation train rolling stock, European Train Control System fitment, and install new signalling.
She also said a key priority for the department was to ensure it reacted quickly when Queensland experiences severe and unprecedented events.
“Our responsive and coordinated efforts help keep communities and industries connected, moving and safe,” she said in the message. “The QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 includes $750 million as part of our Natural Disaster Program, jointly funded with the Australian Government, via the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services Mark Bailey said Ms Stannard brings a unique mix of relevant experience and skills to the position.
“Ms Stannard has a deep understanding of the Department of Transport and Main Road’s public transport, planning and investment decisions, as well as innovative learnings from the private sector,” he said.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Ms Stannard to deliver the government’s priorities for Queensland as they relate to the transport and main roads portfolio.”
Ms Stannard said serving the people of Queensland as Director-General is a privilege.
“I am passionate about ensuring transport systems are fit for purpose and appropriately agile for the changing ways we live and work,” she said.
“I am committed to furthering TMR’s vision of creating an integrated and sustainable transport system that is accessible to all Queenslanders and I look forward to continue working with the incredible team at the Department of Transport and Main Roads.”
