$1.5 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE STIMULUS TO DRIVE RECOVERY IN THE SOUTH WEST

A new $1.5 billion Australian Government infrastructure package will provide an injection into the economy and bring jobs back online to help stem the impact of COVID-19.Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino said getting shovels in the ground on local construction projects was important for maintaining jobs and economic growth in the South West.

“These types of infrastructure projects will be also particularly crucial for helping us bounce back after the COVID-19 crisis has ended by ensuring we have the safe transport connections needed for all Australians to keep moving.”

“This project will construct second carriageway from Capel Bypass to Hutton (Stage 1), and Hutton Road to Sues Road (Stage 2). The Australian Government will contribute $68m of a total of $85m for this important road infrastructure.

“The project benefitting our South West will be the Stage 1 and 2 of the Bussell Highway Duplication.

“Every single job that we support makes a huge difference in our local communities – now and as we navigate out of the pandemic,” Mrs Marino said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new package would fund shovel-ready infrastructure projects that can support local jobs immediately.

“This funding will deliver critical infrastructure projects right across the country to help keep construction businesses running and people in jobs,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“$1 billion of this package will fund projects that can get underway now and over the next six months, to give an immediate boost to the economy and local jobs – right at the time we need it.

“We will work together with the states and territories to deliver these job-creating priority projects, building on our unprecedented cooperation to date through the National Cabinet of States and Territories.”

“The package also includes a $500 million Targeted Road Safety Works initiative for states and territories to deliver smaller but critical projects to improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks.

“The Government has already announced $500 million for local governments to support projects such as road safety improvements, maintaining community infrastructure and increasing accessibility.

“Now we are announcing a substantial funding injection for national infrastructure priorities such as the dualling of the Bussell Highway.

“This is part of our $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline, which is laying the foundations of a financial bridge to recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.”

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the $1.5 billion package, combined with the additional funding to local governments, is expected to support up to 12,000 direct and indirect jobs by creating new local opportunities and securing existing positions.

“This package will support thousands of jobs across our national construction sector, which we know is facing many challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis,” Mr Tudge said.

“This includes local governments as well, who will receive funding to deliver targeted projects in their area.

“These types of infrastructure projects will be particularly crucial for helping us bounce back after the COVID-19 crisis has ended by ensuring we have the safe transport connections needed for all of Australia to keep moving.

“We will continue to work across governments and in partnership with industry to ensure the safety of all Australians while they deliver our pipeline of critical infrastructure projects.”