WA welcomes ports and road funding, though rail misses out

<p>Peak lobby body Transport Forum WA has welcomed yesterday’s (Thursday, May 10) State Budget after treasurer Eric Ripper allocated $5.8bn for critical infrastructure projects.</p> <p>Of the $5.8bn, $99m was handed down for ports infrastructure projects &#8211 including $65.4m for the development of the Fremantle Port outer harbour project &#8211 and $706m for major roads projects.</p> <p>Chief executive Ian King said the funding was &#8220absolutely warranted&#8221.</p> <p>&#8220We’re pleased [with the Budget&#93 as most importantly it recognises the problems with infrastructure we have in this state &#8211 particularly on the road network,&#8221 he said.</p> <p>Major projects earmarked for work under the $706m funding package include the new Perth-Bunbury highway, stage two of the Karratha-Tom Price link road, the Mitchell freeway extension from Hodges Drive to Burns Beach road and stages one to three of the Broome bypass of the Broome highway.</p> <p>Earlier this week, planning and infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan called for federal funding of the state rail network under AusLink II.</p> <p>Ms MacTiernan said about a third of the rail network was facing closure, unless $800m was found to upgrade infrastructure.</p> <p>A case for assistance had been put to the Federal Government, she said.</p> <p>Send your feedback to <a href="/informaoz/LLDCN/emailform.jsp?var_email_ad=nicole.holyer@informa.com.au" class="blue" target="info">nicole.holyer@informa.com.au</a></p> <br />