Infrastructure Report Card shows Gallop Government is on right track

1/09/05
Premier Geoff Gallop says the State Government's decision to invest Budget surplus money on vital projects has been vindicated with the release today of Western Australia's Infrastructure Report Card by Engineers Australia.
The report card on the State's infrastructure shows that WA is in better shape than the rest of Australia, with ratings in areas such as roads, rail, electricity and water ranging from adequate to good.
Dr Gallop said although the report identified some areas of concern, it justified the State Government's decision to invest a record $4.7billion on capital works in the 2005-06 State Budget.
"We also agree with the report that there is no room for complacency and we need to continue making massive investments in projects vital to the State's needs," he said.
"This is why we have also allocated $15.8billion in capital works spending over the next four years, with planned upgrades of the State's power network; new schools and hospitals and police stations; improved roads and public transport; and new, secure water supplies.
"We will also continue to monitor and identify further areas in need of upgrade.
"For instance, the report identified problems in the electricity distribution network. This is why we allocated an extra $488million in this year's Budget to improve the electricity system."
The Premier said the report card also highlighted the Federal Government's lack of commitment to infrastructure in WA.
"The report said that insufficient funding by the Federal Government was placing a large financial burden on the State, without reimbursement through royalties," he said.
"It also said WA's allocation from Federal Government initiatives such as Auslink should be improved.
"My Government is pulling its weight on vital infrastructure but the Federal Government continues to ignore WA's needs."
The report provides a strong endorsement of the Government's southern suburbs railway to Mandurah, in that it will take pressure off the road system.
Premier's Office - 9222 9475