The McGowan Labor Government’s job-creating agenda has led to a record number of Western Australian projects being listed on the nation’s independent list of priority infrastructure proposals.
Infrastructure Australia has listed a record 23 WA projects and initiatives on its nationally significant infrastructure list, up from just seven projects under the previous Liberal National Government.
After being elected, the McGowan Government took immediate steps to work with the Commonwealth, through the Infrastructure Australia process, to ensure WA received its fair share of Commonwealth funding for job-creating infrastructure projects.
Among the new nationally significant proposals listed is the Regional Road Safety Program which has been deemed as a high priority initiative by Infrastructure Australia.
The McGowan Government has repeatedly sought a Federal Government funding partnership for the $900 million program which would see more than 17,000 kilometres of regional roads upgraded.
This program would not only create jobs but would also help reduce the number of single vehicle regional road crashes, save lives and prevent serious injury on WA’s country roads.
Infrastructure Australia has also backed the McGowan Government’s call for a national, proactive strategy to tackle coastal erosion and protect vulnerable areas.
It has said the strategy, which could include infrastructure such as sea walls and buffer zones, would need to involve all levels of government, including the Federal Government.
The Premier called for a national response to coastal erosion at the last Council of Australian Governments meeting in August, however, to date, the Federal Government has been reluctant to commit.
Infrastructure Australia has also listed the LNG Futures Facility as a priority that would help position Western Australia as a global leader in developing and testing new technology.
The McGowan Government has already committed $10 million to the project, as well as land in Kwinana for the facility which will involve the development of a mini LNG plant.
A further two high priority METRONET projects – the Yanchep Rail Extension and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link – have now moved into the delivery phase.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“My Government has had unprecedented success in putting job-creating WA infrastructure projects on the Federal Government’s agenda.
“Whether it be METRONET or vital regional infrastructure, WA is finally getting the national attention it deserves.
“This record number of projects listed as ‘nationally significant’ reflects my Government’s massive job-creating agenda.
“The priority list by the country’s independent infrastructure advisor will be key in my Government’s fight to secure more infrastructure funding from Canberra.
“I call on the Federal Government to join WA in funding the Regional Road Safety Program and help save lives on country roads.
“The jointly funded strategy would deliver more than 500 jobs every year over the nine-year program.
“I am pleased to see the Commonwealth’s own independent infrastructure advisor recognise that all levels of governments have a role in tackling coastal erosion.
“I call on the Federal Government to now listen to Infrastructure Australia and work with State and local governments in coming up with a national response to protecting our coastal communities.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“I am pleased to see that the Federal Government’s own infrastructure advisor says the
Regional Road Safety Program is a high priority.
“Infrastructure Australia has now laid out a strong case as to why the Federal Government should commit to its $80 million a year share of funding for this important program.
“The Federal Government’s share of the Regional Road Safety Program could be more than met if it were to redirect the $1.2 billion it has reserved for the uneconomic Roe 8 and 9 project.
“The 2020 Infrastructure Priority List shows how quickly this Government is getting on with building METRONET.
“The Yanchep Rail Extension and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link were only added to the priority list in 2018. But now, less than two years later, they are already in the construction phase.”
Transport Minister’s office – 6552 5500
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