FEDERAL BUDGET INFRASTRUCTURE BOOST TO HELP BUILD WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY
The Western Australia economy will be boosted by a $1.3b infrastructure package, with record funding for major new projects to be announced in next week’s Federal Budget.
Key projects to be funded include:
• $347.5 million for METRONET: Hamilton Street-Wharf Street Grade Separations and Elevation of Associated Stations, including Queens Park Station and Cannington Station and an enhanced METRONET Byford Rail Extension project, with new grade separated rail crossing at Armadale Road and an elevated station at Armadale
• $200 million for the Great Eastern Highway Upgrades – Coates Gully, Walgoolan to Southern Cross and Ghooli to Benari
• $160 million for the WA Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements – Package 1
• $112.5 million for the Reid Highway – Altone Road and Daviot Road-Drumpellier Drive – Grade-separated intersections
• $85 million for the Perth Airport Precinct – Northern Access
• $64 million for the Toodyay Road Upgrade – Dryandra to Toodyay
• $55 million for the Mandurah Estuary Bridge Duplication, and
• $31.5 million towards the METRONET High Capacity Signalling project
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said these projects will make WA roads safer and improve public transport, reducing travel times and supporting thousands of jobs across the state.
“From upgrading the Great Eastern Highway and building METRONET, to improving roads and rail lines that are crucial to our grain growers and farmers in the Great Southern and Wheatbelt - these projects will support more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs across WA,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“Our record funding commitment is boosting businesses and communities as part of the Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan.
“And of course the landmark GST deal for WA delivered by our Government enables the WA State Government to also deliver on their infrastructure commitments.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the substantial new funding delivered in this year’s Budget was a key plank of the Government’s plan to help Australia bounce back stronger than ever from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this Budget, the Federal Government will continue our strong record of infrastructure delivery as we lay the economic foundations for recovery from the pandemic,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Since April last year, we have delivered NorthLink WA – Northern and Central Sections, which received $556 million in federal funding. We also partnered with the Western Australian Government to deliver the Great Northern Highway – Muchea to Wubin Upgrade, with a $276 million federal investment.”
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said the additional $1.26 billion would ensure WA’s pipeline of infrastructure work will continue, providing an ongoing economic boost.
“We are already embarking on the biggest road and rail investment program our State has ever seen,” he said.
“This program has something for the city and regions, targeting major congestion pinch points in the eastern, northern and southern suburbs which are currently experiencing major population growth.
“With nine METRONET projects under construction, as well as more than 50 major road projects, we’re building the major infrastructure for tomorrow as well as creating the local jobs for today.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Government is driving the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the state, building the economy, creating jobs and providing certainty for business over the long term.
“Importantly, this budget includes significant funding for digital technology investments to support more efficient use of rail and road infrastructure, including METRONET signalling. This builds on the Morrison Government’s existing investment in Intelligent Transport Systems across Perth,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Digital technology is transforming every aspect of modern life including transport, and with these investments Western Australia will be at the forefront.”
Senator for Western Australia Michaelia Cash said in this Budget, the Government was providing funding to better connect regional Western Australia.
“This includes the WA Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements project to better connect our world-class farmers to domestic and international markets,” Senator Cash said.
“Regional WA is the backbone of our State, the powerhouse of our economy, and by backing supply chain improvements, we are supporting them to continue to lead our State’s recovery.”
Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti welcomed today’s major investment by the Commonwealth Government.
“Today’s funding announcement will ensure there is a pipeline of work for industry over the next five to six years,” she said.
“Not only does this mean we have a plan for future works, it also provides industry with certainty, which will encourage and create more local jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities.
“Our Government has been working collaboratively with the Commonwealth to negotiate this funding and we will announce our allocations later this year in the State Budget.”
For more information on investments in Western Australia visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au.