The first Queensland chief since 2009, Neil Scales will oversee the industry body for two years
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads director-general Neil Scales OBE is the new Austroads board chairman.
Appointed for two years, Scales will be the first Queenslander to lead the road transport and traffic body since former associate director-general Alan Tesch held the role from 2007-2009.
Governed by a board of directors, one from each state and state road transport agency, the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Australian Local Government Association, Austroads oversees the management of roads in Australia and New Zealand.
The body also supports member organisations in delivering road transport network improvements and future outlook projections through road and transport research.
Having served on the Austroads board since 2013, Scales is also the current Australian representative for the World Road Association international road organisation.
The new chairman is also deputy chair of ARRB Group (formerly Australian Road Research Board), commissioner of the National Transport Commission, board member of Roads Australia, Queensland Transport and Logistics Council, Tourism and Transport Forum and Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation.
Scales replaces Peter Duncan in the role.