A suite of infrastructure investments have been announced for Western Australia, ahead of the upcoming Federal Budget announcement.
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
- $31.5 million towards the METRONET High Capacity Signalling project
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said nationwide, the Budget will further extend the Federal Government’s already unprecedented rolling investment pipeline, supporting jobs across the country.
“This includes supporting more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs in WA over the life of the new projects announced through the Budget, boosting businesses and communities as part of the Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan,” the Prime Minister said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the substantial new funding delivered in this Budget was a key plank of the Federal 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,” Mr McCormack 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,” Mr McGowan 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.”
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said the Federal 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.
“The Australian Government will continue to invest in the Western Australian economy in the coming years through nation-building projects such as the METRONET, delivering the infrastructure Western Australians need now and into the future,” Mr Fletcher said.
Senator for Western Australia, Michaelia Cash, said in this Budget, the Federal 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,” Ms 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.”
The road to a thriving economy
Perth Airport Chief Projects and Development Officer, David Eden, said the funding for the Great Eastern Bypass, Kalamunda Road, and Leach Highway-Welshpool Road interchange, will deliver a win for commuters and the WA economy.
“Perth’s population continues to grow and our road network needs to grow with it,” Mr Eden said.
“These projects will deliver big benefits for commuters. At the same time the works on Great Eastern Highway and Kalamunda Road will help unlock the enormous economic potential of the Airport North Precinct.
“Airport North has been earmarked in several Perth Airport Master Plans for future commercial and industrial development.
“Perth Airport has already begun work to secure statutory approvals for this important development.
“We believe the site works alone for this precinct could be worth around $550 million to the WA economy in direct and indirect benefits.
“The works on the Leach Highway-Welshpool Road Interchange will also deliver benefits for motorists and the economy.
“Perth Airport is ideally situated close to the CBD in an area which is serviced by major arterial roads and freight rail.
“The interchange works will further enhance the efficiency of moving freight to and from this key economic hub.
For more information on investments in Western Australia, click here.
