Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s $1.3 billion Budget spend to bust congestion and create jobs in WA

The Morrison Government will inject $1.3 billion into the WA economy to help upgrade roads and fund key infrastructure projects as a way of keeping the economy moving. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today revealed the funding ahead of next week’s Federal Budget. More than $1 billion in new funding for the State will be unveiled and more than $220 million of new money for existing projects will also be included. The funding will support 4000 direct and indirect jobs across WA. The State’s unemployment rate is the lowest in the nation at 4.8 per cent. In total, 13 new projects will be funded by the additional money and 10 existing projects will get more Federal cash. There will be $200 million for upgrades to the Great Eastern Highway. And $112.5 million for Reid Highway. One of the key projects to be funded is an upgrade of the northern access to the Perth Airport Precinct. The project will get $85 million from the Commonwealth along with $85 million from the State Government for the construction of a four lane bridge to replace the Kalamunda Road Bridge. Construction will start in late 2023 and is set to be completed by mid-2026. Federal funding for METRONET will also be updated to extend the Armadale line through to Byford and to replace the entire old signalling and control systems with new technology to improve efficiency and network capability. About $10 million has been put aside to fund planning works for an expressway connecting the Graham Farmer Freeway to Leach Highway on Orrong Road. There will also be $160 million put towards improving WA’s agricultural supply chains. SEE THE DETAILS OF EVERY PROJECT Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the funding — the first to be announced of any State’s infrastructure spend — was further evidence of the Government’s commitment to WA. The Government has had an increased focus on WA in recent months in an effort to ensure the landslide Labor victory at the State election is not repeated at the Federal level. “These projects will support more than 4000 direct and indirect jobs across WA,” Mr Morrison said. “And, of course, the landmark GST deal for WA delivered by our Government enables the WA Government to also deliver on their infrastructure commitments.” Premier Mark McGowan, who has been at odds with the Federal Government over the handling of hotel quarantine for COVID cases, said the funding “has something for the city and regions, targeting major congestion pinch points in the eastern, northern and southern suburbs which are currently experiencing major population growth”. WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the funding “will ensure there is a pipeline of work for industry over the next five to six years”. “Our Government has been working collaboratively with the Commonwealth to negotiate this funding and we will announce our allocations later this year in the State Budget,” she said.