Passive level crossing upgrades could start as soon as July but State and local govs will need to chip in

Dozens of WA’s most dangerous passive level crossings could be in line for an upgrade through a $160 million Federal Government cash boost, but State and local governments will have to chip in 20 per cent of the cost. The money — originally announced by the Morrison Government in March — was confirmed in the Albanese Government’s October budget, which was handed down five months after Labor trumped the Liberals at the Federal election in May. It forms part of a new $180m funding stream to set up the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program to make level crossings safer in regional and remote areas around Australia. The money was announced in response to a national campaign involving 12 families — four of which are from WA — whose loved ones have been killed by trains at passive level crossings in regional areas. Included in the $180m is $160m to be rolled out over three years — between the 2023-24 and 2026-27 financial years — to fund up to 80 per cent of the cost of delivering “priority level crossing upgrades”. Countryman can today reveal that State and local governments will need to chip in 20 per cent of the cost for individual upgrades. A Federal Government spokesman said the money would supplement existing Commonwealth investment in transport infrastructure. “We will work with States and Territories to ensure that the highest risk sites around Australia will be targeted for upgrades,” he said. “Funding commences for upgrades in 2023-24. “The Australian Government is preparing to launch both the Level Crossing Safety Data Improvement Project and the Level Crossing Safety Research and Innovation Project,in the very near future.” A spokesman for WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the State Government was “awaiting advice” about how the $160m would be allocated amongst States, saying it had $20m set aside the 2022-23 State Budget. Budget papers show $8.92m was spent on rail crossing upgrades in 2021-22, and the State has plans to spend $5 million per year for the next four years. “WA would welcome any contribution that supports our existing $20m investment towards rail crossing safety improvements over the next four years,” Ms Saffioti said. “Once the State Government has received formal advice about how the funding will be allocated, we will work with key industry stakeholders and the Federal Government to determine priority projects.” The Federal Government spokesman said the $180m spend would be used to fund lower-cost level crossing safety protections, such as upgrades that will change level crossings from passive to active by installing boom gates, additional lighting and signals. It will also be used to improve data collection and risk assessment for level crossings, to fund research into trials of new level crossing technology and safety measures, and to launch a program to educate the public on safe driving around level crossings. “A broad range of lower-cost level crossing treatments will be included, since we know that each level crossing is different and the treatments that make that particular level crossing safer are specific to that crossing,” the spokeswoman said. “For example, projects may include installing or upgrading boom gates, lights and signals, or works to improve visibility and line-of-sight for motorists and train drivers. It may also include works to improve roads leading to level crossings, such as rumble strips.” The Opposition has been pressuring the State Government to chip in to fund level crossing upgrades, with then-WA Nationals Leader Mia Davies using question time in November to ask WA Transport Minister Saffioti if she would match Federal spending in WA. Ms Davies said the Nationals would continue to urge the State Government to contribute. “We have been asking the McGowan Labor Government to match Commonwealth funding for the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program for almost a year now but the Transport Minister refuses to commit,” she said. “With more than $13 billion in surpluses over three years, and a commitment from their Federal colleagues, the McGowan Labor Government has no excuse. “West Australian families have called for passive level crossings in regional WA to be improved for more than 20 years, they shouldn’t have to wait any longer for funding for life-saving upgrades.” A typo in the October Federal Budget incorrectly suggested the $180m to improve safety at passive rail crossings nationwide would not be available until 2025-26. However, a Government spokesman confirmed the funding would be available immediately until 2025-26.