Transport targeted as economic priority area

The State Government has specifically targeted transport as a priority area under its economic development statement released today.

Premier Carmen Lawrence said the statement included a number of transport initiatives that would help stimulate investment, create jobs and lower costs to export earning industries.

These included:

·         abolishing the commercial goods vehicle licence scheme from July 1 cutting the State's freight bill by $3.5 million in a full year;

·         complete deregulation of fuel and minor bulks transport from July 1 leading to further savings of $2.35 million;

·         speeding up the current review of major bulks transport and deregulating the transport of timber under a timetable to be negotiated with the industry;

·         examine extending the standard gauge rail network to Bunbury.

Dr Lawrence said the metropolitan rail system also would be extended to Kwinana, Rockingham and Mandurah.

Perth's public transport services would become fully integrated within the next three months with the introduction of a new urban rail division and a commercial contract between Westrail and Transperth.

Dr Lawrence said this would ensure operational efficiency and customer-oriented services were in line with a modern electric urban rail and bus system.

"The Government also is committed to developing Fremantle as the gateway to Australia to achieve significant savings in freight costs and delivery times of goods from Europe and Asia and maintaining an efficient Stateships service to the North West and South East Asia," she said.

"As well, the Government has approached the Commonwealth to upgrade the status of airports in the North West so they become key entry points for overseas visitors.  This will have major benefits for the State's tourism industry."