Great Eastern Highway to be upgraded under Budget for Hills area

10/4/97

Roads, schools and a range of essential services in the Hills region have received a multi-million dollar boost in this year's State Budget.

Premier Richard Court said nearly $10.4 million had been allocated to upgrade the Great Eastern Highway in the coming financial year.

"The Great Eastern Highway is the most important road link between Perth and its eastern neighbours, including the Wheatbelt, the Goldfields and the other States," Mr Court said.

"It travels through the heart of the Hills and is used by thousands of people every day.

"Therefore, it is vital that a such a major artery is continually upgraded and improved."

Mr Court said more than $5.6 million has been earmarked to reconstruct and widen Great Eastern Highway between Roe Highway and Scott Street.

These works were part of the program for providing a four-lane dual carriageway along Great Eastern Highway from Midland to the Lakes.

As well as this, $1.04 million would be spent on land and planning studies associated with the proposed Swan Valley bypass, which was aimed at improving transport efficiencies and the tourist amenity of the Swan Valley. The bypass was part of a $101 million realignment of the Great Northern Highway.

Also, $521,000 had been allocated for land acquisition associated with the proposed Orange Route, which would be the new national highway linking Perth and Adelaide.

Mr Court said the Budget was responsible, fair and aimed at securing the State's financial position for the future.

"We do not want to leave debts for future generations as the Labor Government did," he said.

The Budget has also allocated a total of $2.4 million to be spent on improvements over two years at Eastern Hills Senior High School, Bakers Hill Primary School and Glen Forrest Primary School.

Mr Court said $900,000 would be spent on additions at Eastern Hills Senior High School with $300,000 being earmarked for the 1997-98 financial year while $750,000 had been set aside for additions and upgrading at Bakers Hill Primary School with $150,000 for this year.

Another $750,000 would be spent at Glen Forrest Primary School with $250,000 being earmarked for the coming year.

The Premier said an estimated $70 million would be spend on infill sewerage projects around Western Australia this year.

"This is the fourth year of the $800 million infill sewerage program which aims to provide sewerage services to replace existing septic tanks, to eliminate risks to health and the environment and to assist in urban consolidation," he said.

"As well as this, to keep pace with growth and environmental requirements, the Government will spent $47 million on improving wastewater treatment plants throughout WA."

Mr Court said this year's Budget included $6.2 million to continue with the provision of $12.5 million for the sewerage infrastructure to the Ellenbrook Development, in particular the link to Beenyup Wastewater Treatment plant.

Another $2.9 million would be spent on construction of the Maida Vale Main Sewer.

In other areas, $340,000 had been allocated for a new fire station, the Roleystone Fire and Rescue Service, with $290,000 due to be spent in the coming financial year, while $300,000 had been set aside for work at Wooroloo Prison Farm.

The funds for the prison farm would be spent on completing the conversion of some of the accommodation from dormitory style to single-bed units.

Mr Court said this would allow for easier management of the prisoners and would replace some of the accommodation lost during the January bush fires.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9475