The Cook Government of Western Australia will deliver an increase to regional transport funding following the allocation of an additional $178 million as part of its Mid-Year Review.
Importantly $132 million of new State funding will be provided for four projects that had Federal funding removed following the recent Infrastructure Investment Program Strategic Review:
- $48 million for the Moorine Rock to Mt Holland Road Upgrades
- $48 million for the Marble Bar Road Upgrade;
- $29.6 million to continue planning for the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation project; and
- $6.4 million for the Great Southern Secondary Freight.
A range of non-infrastructure initiatives are funded under the package including a increased conveyancing allowance for school travel in regional areas and $34 million for regional level crossing safety upgrades.
There is also $4.1 million committed to prolong the Driving Access and Equity Program, helping disadvantaged learner drivers obtain their licence. This sits alongside the additional $8.1 million allocated to increase financial support for regional families to get their kids to and from school.
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The new investments will deliver important upgrades to level crossings in regional WA with an additional $34 million being allocated to improve safety.
“The additional $34 million investment will take our overall investment in regional level crossing safety upgrades to $54 million over the next four years, which will allow us to expand this important work.
“The Government is delivering on its commitment to projects that had funding cut by the Federal Government as part of its review of the nation’s infrastructure pipeline.
“The State Government will provide an additional $132 million to continue four road projects that had funding cut as part of the Federal IAP review, delivering on our commitment to seeing these projects delivered.”