Budget backs Northern Suburbs growth

11/5/00

BUDGET BACKS NORTHERN SUBURBS GROWTH
The continuing growth in the Northern Suburbs is strongly reflected again in this year's State Budget.
Premier Richard Court said capital works in the area included major funding for police, roads, schools and fire services.
He said that as part of the State Government's Safer WA program, almost $33 million had been provided in the Budget for the new Police Academy in Joondalup.
Construction is expected to start next month with the $45 million project due for completion in November next year.
Mr Court said that total spending by Main Roads on capital works, maintenance and grants to local authorities in 2000-01 was estimated at about $700 million.
Major works in the Northern Suburbs included:

• Reid Highway - build dual carriageway from Marmion Avenue to Erindale Road, $12.8 million as part of a $15.5 million program;
• $5 million for continuing work Pinjar Road to Yanchep Beach Road; and -
• $6.3 million on top of $18.6 million to build and seal the Mitchell Freeway between Ocean Reef Road and Hodges Drive.

Mr Court said that funding had been provided towards the cost of a new high school and primary school.
He said that $3 million would be spent on the Kinross Middle School, mostly on initial construction, early in 2001.
The total cost of the project was $15 million - with provision for $6 million in 2001-02 and a further $6 million in 2002-03.
Mr Court said that tenders had been called to build the North Quinns Primary School. It was expected to cost about $4.5 million and open at the start of the 2001 school year.
The Premier said that $11 million had been set aside for land acquisition by the Western Australian Planning Commission in the Wanneroo region.
There was also provision of $990,000 linked to the Western Australian Land Authority and development at Carine Gardens and a further $435,000 for Hepburn Heights.
A further $14.1 million had been made available to the authority for development of land at Currambine, Joondalup Business Park South, Joondalup CBD, Joondalup City North, Joondalup and Joondalup-Edith Cowan South.
The Budget also included $4.3 million for the authority to develop industrial land at Neerabup and Wangara and urban development at Alkimos, Clarkson and Yanchep.
Mr Court said $480,000 would be provided for a new RSPCA animal welfare centre to be built at Malaga.
He said that planning for the extension of the passenger rail line to the north and south to Mandurah was nearly completed and the different financing options were currently being assessed by Treasury with the aim of finalisation prior to Christmas.
He said the Budget also included $3 million for a regional crematorium and further funding for landscaping and plant and equipment at Pinnaroo Cemetery.
The Premier said that $638,000 also had been provided for Hillarys Boat Harbour, which included replacement boat pens.
Further south, $700,000 had been provided to redevelop the Osborne Park fire station on the existing site. Construction would be completed this year.
Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475