Perth Bunbury Highway major winner in Federal Budget

14 May 2008

The RAC has welcomed the Rudd Government’s decision to honour its pre-election promise to bring money forward from AusLink II (2009-2014) funds for important road and rail projects including $160m to ensure the new Perth Bunbury Highway can be completed by 2009.

Other projects that will benefit from the forward funding are $2m to plan a Bunbury Port access road and $2.5m to plan upgrades on the Great Eastern Highway between Kooyong Road and Tonkin Highway and between Leach and Roe Highways.

The RAC also welcomed the introduction of the Infrastructure Australia Fund, which should result in more funding for roads across Australia and funding for the new keys2drive program for novice drivers.

“We are pleased that Federal Labor has recognised the importance of funding the new Perth Bunbury Highway so the project can be completed at the earliest opportunity - it is a critical link in WA’s transport infrastructure,” said the RAC’s Executive Manager Member Advocacy David Moir.

“We are also cautiously optimistic about the introduction of the Infrastructure Australia Fund, but more information is needed from the Federal Government about how the funds would be divided to each State and how road funding would fit with plans for AusLink II."

But Mr Moir said the organisation was disappointed at other aspects of the Federal Budget.

“We are particularly disappointed that there is no additional funding for blackspots or other road safety projects given WA’s dire road safety record,” he said.
“This is where we feel the Federal Government could have made a big difference to motorists in WA.”

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