State Budget 2011-12: Supporting our Community; Building the State (Transport) - Massive injection to build WA’s road, rail and bus networks

The Liberal-National Government will spend $1.2billion in 2011-12 to improve the State’s roads; almost $5billion in the next four years for public transport initiatives, including 45 new railcars; and fund the biggest ever increase in bus service kilometres in more than a decade.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the Government’s strategy would meet the current and future transport needs of Perth and regional Western Australia.

“This Government’s transport strategy is designed to get WA moving and provides a balanced transport plan which caters for people who travel by car as well as those who use public transport,” Mr Buswell said.

“We cannot look at public transport or road improvement issues in isolation while working to give West Australians the transport network they deserve.

“The State Government is investing in new buses and trains as well as improving the road network across WA and addressing the projects ignored by the previous Labor government.

“The Liberal-National Government has acted responsibly at a critical time by planning for the next generation of transport in Perth.  This Government is solving immediate problems as well as looking ahead for the next 20 years.”

Key public transport initiatives include $134million to fund an increase in bus service kilometres by 3.3 million in 2011-12, and by 2015-16 onward, bus service kilometres will have increased by 15.2 million per annum; $40million for an extra 78 buses to the existing fleet, on top of the existing bus replacement order; and $164million for 15 new three-car train sets.

Major infrastructure projects include the rail undergrounding of the Perth City Link (planned for completion in 2013-14 at a cost of $360million) and the completion of a new underground bus station in 2015-16 at an estimated cost of $249million.

A substantial upgrade to Mirrabooka Bus Station is due for completion in 2010-11 at cost of $5.5million.

In the regions, the acquisition of bus depot facilities in Bunbury, Busselton and Dunsborough will enable improved operation of regional town bus services.

Key road initiatives include an allocation of $6million to widen the northbound carriage of Mitchell Freeway between Hepburn Avenue and Hodges Drive. The widening project, increasing traffic lanes from two to three, will cost $30million and be completed in 2012-13.

An additional $10.6million will progress work on the Coalfields Highway upgrade between Collie and the Wellington Dam turn-off. The total upgrading works along the highway are scheduled for completion in 2012-13 at a cost of $25million.

Other road initiatives include:

• $1million to begin planning and project development activities for the construction of the Great Northern Highway Enhancement Program. The program will relieve congestion on Great Northern Highway through Upper Swan as well as form part of the future Perth to Darwin National Highway
• $35million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program. The funding ensures continuation of the program which targets road safety priorities and bridge improvements on major freight routes
• $20million for the State Black Spot Program to fund about 150 improvement projects across WA
• $2.5million for improvements to the South Street-Murdoch Drive intersection in Melville, to cater for increased traffic volumes associated with the planned development of the Murdoch Activity Centre as well as the Fiona Stanley Hospital. These improvements are scheduled for completion in 2013-14 at a cost of $15million.

The Minister said the road budget was calculated to maintain existing infrastructure while improving major traffic connections and general road user safety.

“Continued funding of this Government’s Safer Roads and State Black Spot programs, and the Government’s plan to ensure 100 per cent of all speed and red light camera revenue is spent on road safety, demonstrates our desire to make WA’s roads safer,” he said.

“At the same time, we are pressing ahead with the upgrade of key intersections to make them safer, more efficient and less congested.

“These include the Great Eastern Highway-Roe Highway intersection, the recently opened Reid Highway-Alexander Drive flyover and the Reid Highway-Mirrabooka Avenue interchange currently under construction.”