A Mount Gravatt East resident has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List for work in international road safety, infrastructure planning and engineering.
A National Honour With Local Ties
The Australia Day 2026 Honours List recognised 949 Australians across awards in the Order of Australia, meritorious honours and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. The total represents an increase of more than 200 recipients compared with the previous year.
Within the General Division of the Order of Australia, 680 awards were made, including 38 appointments at the Officer level, which recognises distinguished service of a high degree.
Mt Gravatt Appointment In The General Division
Among those appointed was Rob McInerney, a resident of Mt Gravatt East. His citation refers to distinguished service to international road safety and management programs, infrastructure planning and engineering.
Long-Term Leadership In Road Safety
Mr McInerney has led the International Road Assessment Programme since 2007. The organisation focuses on assessing road safety risk and supporting safer road infrastructure through data, planning tools and program delivery. United Nations material describes iRAP programmes as operating in over 100 countries.
His work has involved building capacity for road safety initiatives through partnerships with transport and research organisations, as well as contributing to long-term safety planning approaches.
National And International Roles
His professional background includes leadership roles with the Australian Road Safety Collaboration, advisory and committee positions linked to international transport and road safety forums, and earlier research roles with the Australian Road Research Board from 1997 to 2008.
Mr McInerney has also served as a principal advisor to the National Road Safety Strategy Review during 2017–2018 and has been a director of New Road Pty Ltd since 2018. His experience spans research, program leadership and advisory work within Australia and internationally.
Professional Recognition Over Time
In addition to the Australia Day 2026 appointment, Mr McInerney has received several professional awards recognising road safety contributions. These include the IRF Global Road Safety Award in 2017, Fellowship of the Australasian College of Road Safety in 2015, and the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in both 2014 and 2020.
These honours reflect sustained involvement in road safety initiatives rather than a single project or appointment.
Looking Forward
The Australia Day 2026 Honours List spans a wide range of professional, community and service-based contributions. The Mt Gravatt appointment highlights how locally based expertise can be recognised through the national honours system for work connected to long-term international programs.
Published 26-Jan-2026
