MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

The Australian Coat of Arms

13 May 2008
BUDGET-INFRA 06/2008

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR WA TOPS $402 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest $402.3 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Western Australia including $164 million to make an early start on election commitments.

Urgent action is needed to fix Australia's over-stretched transport networks and to build infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

That's why we're getting a head start on $164.5 million worth of projects that weren't due to commence in Western Australia until 2009-10, as well as delivering projects to upgrade interstate transport networks and critical freight corridors.

Western Australia's budget infrastructure package will deliver on our election commitments, tackle major bottlenecks and help make our roads safer.

Our $164.5 million to make an early start on election commitments includes:

  • an additional $160 million for construction of the New Perth Bunbury Highway, to finish the project in 2009;

  • $2 million for planning the Bunbury Port Access Road (Stage 1) from Estuary Drive to the South Western Highway at Picton;

  • $2 million to start planning the upgrade of the Kooyong Road to Tonkin Highway section of the Great Eastern Highway; and

  • $0.5 million for planning the upgrade of the Tonkin Highway between the Leach and Roe Highways.

Overall infrastructure funding for Western Australia in 2008-09 includes:

  • $253.7 million for construction projects and maintenance on Western Australia's 6,510 kilometres of road and rail National Land Transport Network;

  • $3.1 million for 14 AusLink Strategic Regional projects promoting regional development;

  • $51.9 million for local roads under the Roads to Recovery Program which is in addition to the $88.2 million allocated to roads under Federal Financial Assistance Grants; and

  • $5.4 million to eliminate 46 road safety 'black spots'.

The Government will continue to implement its land transport infrastructure election commitments from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with timing and specific funding arrangements to be negotiated with the states and territories during 2008.

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Media Contacts

Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890

 

URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_06-2008.htm