Western Australia’s 2022-23 State Budget has been released, and it includes more than $10 billion in funding for projects across the roads, ports and transport sectors.
$1 billion funding for METRONET projects
New METRONET projects funded in the Budget include the Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal in Midland and the Canning Bridge Bus Interchange.
Following the opening of the Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing and Assembly Facility in June 2021, another two METRONET projects have recently been completed – with the Mandurah Station Multi-Storey Car Park now open and all road and civic upgrade works completed as part of the Denny Avenue Level Crossing Removal project.
The contracts for the Byford Rail Extension and Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal projects are soon to be awarded, with many of the remaining projects nearing peak construction.
The 2022-23 Budget includes $1 billion in additional state and federal funding for METRONET projects, including:
- Further investment in the Train Control and Signalling project, which forms part of the High Capacity Signalling program works and is currently out to tender
- Relocating the Canning Bridge Bus Interchange from Canning Highway to an elevated platform above the freeway and train station to improve safety for commuters and reduce traffic congestion and travel times
- Planning for the Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal on the Midland Line, to improve safety and traffic congestion in the area
- Further investment in the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension projects to address the impacts of cost escalation and supply chain constraints impacting the construction market
Western Australia Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said, “Our pipeline of infrastructure investment will continue, with contract awards expected to be achieved for the Train Control and Signalling project next financial year and planning to progress on removing another level crossing on the Midland Line.”
$5.6 billion for regional roads
$5.6 billion in funding will go towards regional road infrastructure to improve regional road safety, reduce travel times and increase freight efficiency.
New joint State-Federal Government projects currently in procurement or planning and funded in the Budget include:
- $500 million to seal Tanami Road to the Western Australian border
- $250 million to deliver Stages 1 and 2 of the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation
- $120 million for Moorine Rock to Mount Holland road upgrades to support the Covalent lithium mine
- $50 million Great Northern Highway Newman to Port Hedland overtaking lanes
- $36 million towards the Secondary Freight Roads in the Mid West and Great Southern regions
- $20 million for a new intersection and road connection at Forrest Highway and Vittoria Road in Picton
- $10 million Chidlow-York Road and Forrest Street intersection
The following major state-federal regional roads projects currently under construction have received additional funding this Budget:
- $400 million of additional funding for the $1.25 billion Bunbury Outer Ring Road Stages 2 and 3
- $40 million of additional funding for the $76 million Port Hedland Airport Deviation project
In addition to the projects that received new funding, the following state-federal regional roads projects are also underway:
- $500 million sealing of the remaining lengths of Outback Way, which will provide a third sealed route across Australia
- $250 million Great Eastern Highway upgrades at Coates Gully between Walgoolan to Southern Cross and between Ghooli to Benari
- $175 million Albany Ring Road
- $120 million Marble Bar Road upgrades
- $85 million Bussell Highway Duplication
The jointly funded State-Federal Regional Road Safety Program will receive a further $159 million this Budget, bringing the total investment to $828 million, with around 9,000 kilometres of regional roads to be upgraded by mid-2023.
Funding has also been allocated for the following regional Western Australia programs over the next four years:
- $146 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program
- about $200 million for the Resealing Program
$3.4 billion for metro road projects
$3.4 billion has been allocated for metropolitan road projects.
The Budget includes funding allocated by the Federal and State Governments for a number of new projects, including:
- $80 million for the Nicholson Road and Garden Street Grade Separation
- $290 million for Thomas Road – South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway Dual Carriageway
- $100 million for Tonkin Highway Corridor Upgrades – North Ellenbrook Interchange (including private sector contribution)
- $35 million for the East Perth Footbridge
As well as investing in new road projects, the Government continues to deliver projects currently underway in Perth and Peel, including:
- Tonkin Highway upgrade projects, including the Tonkin Gap project
- Mitchell Freeway Extension (Hester Avenue to Romeo Road)
- Mitchell Freeway widening southbound from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue
- Transforming (SMART) Freeways – Mitchell Freeway corridor
- Stephenson Avenue extension
- Queen Victoria Street – Swan River Crossings (Fremantle Road and Rail Bridge)
- Leach Highway and Welshpool Road Grade Separated Interchange
Funding has been allocated for the following programs in the Perth and Peel regions:
- $16.2 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program
- $98 million for the Resealing Program
An additional component of the Budget is the $73 million Principal Shared Path program, which aims to add more upgrades and extensions to Perth’s path network, improving connectivity and amenity for cyclists and pedestrians.
Upgrades for port infrastructure
$507.9 million will be invested by the Western Australian Government to upgrade port infrastructure across the state.
This new funding takes investment in Western Australia port authority projects over the next four years to $1.7 billion.
More than $332 million is being invested towards the Mid West Ports Authority’s Geraldton Port Maximisation Project over the next four years to increase capacity for Geraldton Port services.
This includes infrastructure upgrades to increase trade capacity to maximise the existing port’s footprint, facilitate a range of new projects and deliver value for the Mid West region.
Westport enabling works are ongoing, with $400 million invested to support strategic land acquisition for future freight corridors and port functions, as well as environmental offset works, with a further $99 million committed to deliver the next stages of Westport, including the development of a strategic level business case.
The Budget is also funding a number of feasibility studies aligned to Westport to drive improved trade, economic and land-use development outcomes in the wider Kwinana and Fremantle areas.
Another $78 million will progress development of Lumsden Point to grow the capacity at the Port of Port Hedland to diversify trade and support jobs in the region. Initial works are expected to start later this year.
The Budget will bring an additional $52 million investment for a dedicated Marine Services Hub in Broome that will see a gas supply base established to service Browse Basin gas production activities.
This includes $7 million towards base infrastructure for a processing and storage facility for the Kimberley region.
To support an increase in trade within the Esperance and Bunbury ports, $10.7 million is being allocated towards important infrastructure and equipment projects for both ports.
Western Australia Ports Minister, Rita Saffioti, said, “Our ports play an important role in our economy, creating and supporting jobs, boosting trade and providing opportunities for investment and business across Western Australia.
“This commitment to invest a further $507.9 million at our ports will ensure that WA’s key export industries continue to be supported to deliver billions of dollars in benefits to our state.
“Planning for the next century of trade growth and beyond must begin now to ensure we deliver a sustainable, efficient and resilient trade and supply chain system.
“A new terminal and supply chain network must be planned well in advance to prevent trade bottlenecks. Westport is taking a system design approach that considers every aspect of the supply chain.
“This means that the shipping channels to the terminal, along with road and rail networks, will all be planned together.”
Western Australia Premier and Treasurer, Mark McGowan, said, “My Government continues to create a pipeline of works across the state, supporting Western Australian jobs and local businesses, and setting up Western Australia’s road network for the long term.
“The $9 billion funding package includes $3.4 billion dedicated for road projects in the Perth metropolitan area, which will create thousands of local jobs and make it easier and safer for our communities.
“Our strong Budget management means we are able to heavily reinvest in important infrastructure around the state, with road improvements a key focus.”
More information on the Budget can be found here.