2009-10 State Budget: Transport initiatives designed to keep Western Australia moving

14/05/2009

Construction of the Joondalup train line extension from Clarkson to Brighton will start in 2010 thanks to significant funds allocated in this year’s State Budget.
 
Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said $147.4million over the next four years would go towards the estimated $282.9million project.
 
“This landmark project will expand our public transport infrastructure and deliver jobs to help secure the State’s economic future,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
The Minister said the 2009-10 State Budget delivered on a range of election promises and initiatives across the transport portfolio, from public transport to roads and ports.
 
He said the initiatives contained in the State Budget were about protecting jobs and securing the State’s economic future.
 
“This is a responsible Budget which has seen some tough decisions taken to build a stronger economy for tomorrow,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“We have delivered funding for the key election promise of extra car parking at train stations, with $49.5million over four years for 3,000 park and ride car bays at stations on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines.
 
“During 2009-10, it is expected 1,280 additional bays will be built at Greenwood, Whitfords, Mandurah, Warnbro, Clarkson and Rockingham stations.
 
“This responsible Budget also sees the delivery of free travel entitlements for seniors, aged pensioners and disability pensioners on the Transperth bus and train system and regional bus services.
 
“A total of $6.1million will be provided in 2009-10 and $24.7million over four years for free travel entitlements for about 320,000 seniors and aged and disability support pensioners between 9am and 3.30pm on weekdays and all weekend.”
 
The Minister said Western Australia’s road network would receive $1.37billion, with more than two-thirds, or $793.4million, spent on country roads and $357.8million in the metropolitan area.
 
This included the allocation of $50.9million towards Stage One of the long-awaited upgrade of Great Eastern Highway in the City of Belmont by 2013.
 
“This important road which forms the gateway to our city from Perth Airport will be upgraded with three lanes in each direction from Kooyong Road in Rivervale to Hardey Road in Belmont at an estimated cost of $225million,” he said.
 
“In addition, $113.4million has been budgeted to construct the Mandurah Entrance Road, between the extended Kwinana Freeway and Mandurah Road.
 
“A total of $34.6million is assigned for the ongoing construction of Stage One of the Bunbury Port Access Road between South Western Highway and Estuary Drive.”
 
Mr O’Brien said $122.9million had been budgeted to be spent in 2009-10 on local government roads, an increase from $116.6million on the previous year.
 
“The Government is maintaining its commitment to road safety with $20million allocated for the ongoing State Black Spot Program and maintaining funding for the Safer Roads Program with $36million for 2009-10,” he said.
 
“The roads’ budget reflects the growth in WA’s economy and is designed to meet community demand for improved road transport services.”

Western Australia’s ports received substantial funding, with $377.2million in 2009-10 for projects, including the dredging and upgrade of Fremantle Inner Harbour berths and channels.
 
“An amount of $38million is also being allocated for the commencement of a major upgrade of facilities at Esperance, following the lead scandal which occurred under the previous government,” the Minister said.
 
“At Port Hedland, $130million has been allocated to complete the multi-purpose berth and bulk loading facility at Utah Point to meet future demands of the Pilbara’s expanding minerals exports.”
 
Mr O’Brien said the Budget reflected the creation of the new Department of Transport.
 
Included would be the rollout of the Licensing Business Unit Reform program to simplify and modernise the delivery of licensing services, including improved telecommunications technology, data management systems and increased online transaction capacity.
 
“A new vehicle inspection facility will be opened in Osborne Park with an online booking system to increase efficiency and convenience for customers,” he said.
 
“There will be $7.5million available during 2009-10 for Regional Airports Development Scheme projects, which contributes towards the cost of regional airports upgrade projects. 

“A further $600,000 will fund the maintenance and installation of navigational aids on WA's waterways to continuously improve marine safety, and reduce the occurrence of costly maritime incidents and oil spills.
 
“Another $4.5million will support the Fremantle Port rail service to reach the Government's set target of 30 per cent of containers travelling by rail from Forrestfield-Kewdale to the port.
 
“This initiative will help cut the number of trucks transporting containers by road.”
 
Additional Budget projects - public transport:

• $3million in 2009-10 for the ongoing development of a 20-year public transport plan (total cost of the plan is $6million)
• $18.15million in 2009-10 for  upgrades to the Greenbushes Rail
• $5million for further planning to site the Northbridge Link rail underground
• $10million in 2012-13 to establish a public transport master plan for Ellenbrook
• $95million for additional bus and train acquisitions.
  
  Additional Budget projects - roads:
• $10million towards upgrading traffic signal communication systems
• $26.5million for the on-going upgrade of Great Northern Highway, Upper Swan
• $22million towards completion of the Kwinana Freeway extension and Forrest Highway project
• $20.8million for on-going construction of the Reid Highway double carriageway from West Swan Road to Great Northern Highway
• $30million for on-going construction of Stage Two of the Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor from North West Coastal Highway to Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road
• $29million towards the on-going construction of Indian Ocean Drive Stage Two
  $25.1million towards an upgrade of Great Northern Highway and construction of two bridges north of Halls Creek
• $24.4million towards making Dampier Highway between Karratha and Dampier a double carriageway.