WA wins additional AusLink funding concessions from Canberra

25/11/05
The Gallop Government will sign the AusLink funding agreement after winning $52million worth of additional funding for road and rail projects across Western Australia.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said WA's decision to campaign for a fairer share of funding and hold out for a better deal had been vindicated by the Commonwealth's concessions.
While the Federal Government failed to provide $55million in matching funding for the much-needed Perth-to-Bunbury Highway, Ms MacTiernan has secured an extra $52million for improvements to other vital projects such as the East-West Rail Link.
"We have campaigned long and hard for a better deal and these concessions are a good result for WA," the Minister said.
"However, we will continue to fight for a better deal in the lead-up to the next Federal election.
"WA covers a third of Australia and generates a third of national income from exports, and even with these concessions we are still getting less than eight per cent of Federal road funding and only 2.8 per cent of Federal rail funding - this is still not good enough.
"We want a rational formula for distributing the funds to the States - at the moment the only equation that the Federal Government employs seems to be based on the number of National Party members a State has in Federal Parliament."
Concessions won include:

• an extra $11.9million for a new interchange between Roe Highway and Great Eastern Highway, designed to improve safety while accommodating increasing numbers of vehicle traffic - bringing the Commonwealth's total contribution to $22.4million;

• $28.1million for the East-West Rail Link. This work will increase the capacity of the interstate line by extending eight passing loops and re-sleepering 76km of track;

• $11.5million for the grade separation of Daddow Road and the railway line to improve rail and road access and safety to the Kewdale and Forrestfield industrial areas; and

• $500,000 for a study to investigate the State proposal that the Brand Highway and North West Coastal Highway become part of the National Transport Network, and therefore eligible for future AusLink funding.

Ms MacTiernan said the Perth-to-Bunbury Highway would now be built in one stage, with construction scheduled to start in late 2006 - subject to Federal environmental clearances not delaying the project.
"Western Australians will be rightfully angry that Canberra is not providing matching funding for the project, leaving State taxpayers, who contribute so heavily to Federal coffers, to pick up the bill," the Minister said.
"It is disgraceful that WA-based Federal Liberal MPs such as Don Randall and Ian Campbell have failed to stand up for WA when it comes to seeking funding for this vital project.
"In fact, Mr Randall argued that WA should not receive any more money at all.
"Despite this bizarre approach, we understand the community want this project built as soon as possible and, importantly, built in one hit.
"We will now get on with the job of providing this fast, efficient link to Bunbury."
Minister's office: 9213 6400