Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

The WA economy will receive a $940 million boost from additional Federal and State infrastructure funding over the next four years. 

A $868 million injection of Federal funding will increase total federal infrastructure investment in Western Australia from about $4.5 billion to about $5.4 billion over the next four years.

The Morrison and McGowan Governments have been working together to get more projects underway to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.

In addition, the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments have announced a new round of road and METRONET projects in Perth and surrounds to further bust congestion, boost jobs and improve safety. 

More than $200 million in Federal and State contributions will fund six projects including the widening of Mitchell Freeway southbound between Hodges Drive and Hepburn Avenue and construction of a new METRONET station at Lakelands on the Mandurah rail line.

The latest package of works will generate around 1,000 jobs, adding to the thousands of other jobs being created by other WA infrastructure projects that are either under construction or in the pipeline.

The State Government highlighted what existing projects needed a bring forward of funding to meet the State Government’s ambitious timeframes for construction.

At the same time both Governments have progressed a number of congestion-busting road and METRONET projects in and around Perth, boosting employment and improving road network safety.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the eight existing projects where funding has been brought forward would help drive jobs and the economy, and deliver the roads and rail WA needed to help bust congestion.

“With $817 million in additional federal funding being injected into these eight projects over the current forward estimates period we’re focused on getting people to work and home sooner and safer while also boosting WA’s economy,” the Prime Minister said.

“We’re delivering this package of critical road and rail projects sooner as part of our $100 billion pipeline which forms a key plank of our plan for a stronger economy.” 

Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan said the new package of works will generate around 1,000 jobs, adding to the thousands of other jobs being created by other WA infrastructure projects that are either under construction or in the pipeline. 

“We’re already embarking on the biggest road and rail building program WA has ever seen,” Mr McGowan said.

“This new agreement with the Commonwealth comes on top of the almost 500 road and METRONET projects currently underway or in the pipeline – when complete it will be an unprecedented transformation of our transport network.

“My Government’s number one priority is local jobs – this new infrastructure package will create more WA jobs and more opportunities for local businesses.

“The bringing forward of funding by the Commonwealth also ensures that the State Government can get on with building the projects.”

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said that this package again demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure WA gets its fair share in federal infrastructure investment to boost growth, create more jobs while improving road safety and busting congestion. 

“Since 2013, the Federal Government has committed more than $13.5 billion in additional federal infrastructure funding to support projects across Western Australia.

“Our Government is focused on delivering projects which deliver real benefits to Western Australians, whether it’s upgrading the Great Northern Highway and Apple Street intersection ensuring better safety for motorists or improving commuter congestion on the Mandurah rail line.

“The package of works will significantly benefit all West Australians now and in the future,” Senator Cormann said.

“These projects guarantee work for local trades and keep money flowing through local businesses throughout the construction phase and beyond.”

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said starting construction on $430 million worth of Urban Congestion Fund projects across Perth was a top priority.

“This string of Urban Congestion Fund projects will bust congestion to save WA commuters and business precious time and money,” Mr Tudge said.

“We also want to improve the overall safety and capacity of Perth’s freeway system, which is why projects like the Mitchell Freeway widening, due to be completed in 2021, are crucial.” 

From 2014 to 2018 there were 560 crashes on this freeway including one fatality and 126 crashes in which people required medical attention.

Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said this is a significant undertaking by both governments to add to the existing pipeline of road and rail works across the State.

“The package of works has something for Perth’s northern, eastern and southern suburbs which are all experiencing significant population growth,” Ms Saffioti said.

“These road and rail projects will join a long pipeline of other major infrastructure developments such as METRONET that will create local jobs and set the foundation for our economy to grow.

“The State Government put forward an ambitious timeframe for the existing projects and we’re working hard to get new contracts underway, as soon as possible, including having to work through Federal environmental processes.”

The McGowan Government is committed to building Karnup Station, and with 80 per cent of funding on offer from the Commonwealth for Lakelands Station, the State Government has also agreed to progress with the construction of Lakelands.

Senator Cormann also pointed out that in the Perth’s Hills, two intersections connecting Great Eastern Highway and Old Northam Road – one in Sawyers Valley and one in Wooroloo - will be upgraded to improve safety. 

“These upgrades, worth $14.4 million, will create 70 jobs and reduce the risk of serious crashes,” Senator Cormann said.

“A new roundabout at the intersection of the Great Northern Highway and Apple Street in Upper Swan will improve safety and help reduce congestion as population in the area continues to grow.

“Seed funding of $2.5 million has also been provided to plan a full grade separation at the intersection of Reid Highway and Erindale Road in Balcatta. The resulting planning will enable both governments to consider future investment to build the new interchange.”

New infrastructure projects:

Mitchell Freeway (Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue) Widening southbound
Cost estimate: $76 million
Jobs created: 530
Funding spilt: $38 million Federal, $38 million State

Lakelands Station (Mandurah Line)
Cost estimate: $80 million
Jobs created: 200
Funding spilt: $64 million Federal, $16 million State

Great Northern Highway (Apple Street) Intersection Upgrade
Cost estimate: $14 million
Jobs created: 90
Funding spilt: $7 million Federal, $7 million State/City of Swan/private sector

Wanneroo Road (Morley Drive) Intersection Upgrade
Cost estimate: $15 million
Jobs created: 90
Funding spilt: $7.5 million Federal, $7.5 million State

Great Eastern Highway (Old Northam Road) upgrade two intersections at Wooroloo and at Sawyers Valley
Cost estimate: $14.375 million
Jobs created: 70
Funding spilt: $11.5 million Federal, $2.875 million State

Reid Highway (Erindale Road) project development for grade separation
Cost estimate: $2.5 million (seed funding)
Jobs created: TBA
Funding spilt: $2 million Federal, $0.5 million State

Project funding brought forward:

$283.6 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road

• Funding to flow immediately from this financial year over the next four financial years to enable the commencement of works in early 2021 after the majority of funding previously being allocated beyond 2022-23
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $681.6 million ($283.6 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $170.4 million

$82.8 million for the Albany Ring Road

• Funding to flow over the next four financial years to enable the commencement of works in late 2020 after the majority of funding previously being allocated beyond 2021-22
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $140 million ($82.8 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $35 million

$36.2 million for the Alice Springs to Halls Creek Corridor Upgrade

• Funding to flow immediately and over the next six financial years to enable the commencement of works in 2020 after the majority of funding previously being allocated beyond 2022-23
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $75 million ($36.2 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $18.75 million

$16 million for the Fremantle Traffic Bridge

• Funding to flow over the next five financial years to enable the commencement of works in 2021 after previously being allocated beyond 2021-22
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $115 million ($16 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $115 million

$156.7 million for the Karratha to Tom Price Corridor

• Funding to flow immediately and over the next six financial years as construction on Stage 3 is already underway after the majority of funding previously being allocated beyond 2022-23
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $248 million ($156.7 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $62 million

$40.8 million for the Newman to Katherine Corridor Upgrade

• Funding to flow immediately and over the next four financial years to enable the commencement of works by 2020 after the majority of funding previously being allocated beyond 2022-23
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $70 million ($40.8 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $17.5 million

$40.8 million for Port Augusta to Perth Corridor

• Funding to flow immediately and over the next three financial years to enable the commencement of works in 2020 after the majority of funding previously being allocated beyond 2022-23
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $50 million ($40.8 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $12.5 million

$159.9 million for Tonkin Highway Gap

• Funding to flow immediately to enable the commencement of works in mid-2020 after the majority of funding previously being allocated beyond 2021-22
• Australian Government contribution to the project is $232 million ($159.9 million brought forward)
• Western Australian Government contribution to the project is $58 million