Budget for transport industry

Western Australia's transport sector has received a capital works program of more than $340 million in today's State Budget.

Premier Carmen Lawrence said the allocation reflected the Government's recognition that effective and efficient transport was crucial to the State's economic competitiveness and the community in general.

"Industry reforms, especially on the waterfront and in the railway system and a substantial deregulation of the land freight transport sector already are having a major impact in helping our export industry keep costs down," Dr Lawrence said.

"The Government is committed to ensuring this process continues through upgrading our ports and railways in line with objectives outlined in The WA Advantage strategy."

Dr Lawrence said public transport in particular was a key element in addressing planning, environmental and social issues, especially in the metropolitan area.

Westrail's capital works program this year totalled $171.7 million compared with $115.3 million last year.  The increase reflected additional funding provided through the Prime Minister's One Nation package.

A further $81.3 million would be spent on the $275 million Northern Suburbs Rapid Transit System to service the State's fastest growing suburban corridor.

The system involved a 29km electrified rail line between Perth and Joondalup - and later Currambine - with integrated bus-feeder services.

The Kwinana-Bunbury rail corridor would be upgraded at a cost of $13.5 million and $11 million would be spent on the Fremantle-Kalgoorlie standard gauge.  Both projects would be funded through the One Nation package.

Other major railway works included:

·         $8.6 million for payments of railcars, signalling equipment and minor equipment associated with the $187 million four-year suburban rail electrification project.

·         $937,000 on track alterations to assist a planned expansion of Alcoa's alumina production.

·         $2.38 million to complete a $3.75 million program to replace 12 road coaches for Westrail's country fleet.

·         $1.8 million towards a $9.4 million upgrading of the Prospector.

·         $800,000 to improve train station car parks, including installing emergency telephones, warning systems at crossings and video cameras.

·         $758,000 towards the $15.5 million project to replace the Bunbury Bridge across the Swan River.

·         $624,000 to complete the Albany foreshore development.

·         $320,000 to install security facilities and modifications to electric railcars to help people with disabilities.

·         $206,000 to complete Kalgoorlie Station renovations.

The Premier said Transperth's capital works program would include $5.4 million towards construction of a new bus depot in the Palmyra area and $2.5 million for the Morley bus station redevelopment.

Ticket issuing and validating machines would be replaced under a program costing $7.4 million of which $4.2 million would be spent this year.

A total $86.3 million had been earmarked for State highways and main roads with a further $31.2 million allocated for local government roads, $1.6 million for roads in national parks and State forests and $17.1 million for the traffic management and road safety program.

The Budget also included $1.5 million to implement initiatives for cycleways outlined in the Social Advantage.

On the waterfront, $8.2 million would be spent on expansion of the Bunbury inner harbour basin to allow space for two berths.

The Budget provided $2.2 million for the completion of the $13.9 million Geraldton marina.  For the Esperance port $2.7 million would be provided for a new bulk ore ship loader.