14/10/05
Key South-West stakeholders will demand a fairer share of funding for the much-needed Perth-to-Bunbury Highway when they meet with Federal Roads Minister Jim Lloyd in Perth next week.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said she fully supported the Peel Deviation Stakeholder Group’s direct approach to Mr Lloyd in an attempt to secure a 50:50 funding commitment for the project.
“At my meeting with the group this week, it became very clear that we are united in our call for the Commonwealth to make an equal contribution to this road,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“They are very keen to have the project built in one stage, which can done if the Federal Government matches our offer to commit another $55million.
“We have used our better than expected surplus result to inject extra funding into the project - it is about time the Federal Government dipped into its record $13billion surplus to allow us to build the highway in one hit.
“While project cost pressures have seen Canberra top-up their contributions to projects such as the Albury-Wadonga Bypass by $178million, Western Australia is getting absolutely no support.
“There is no doubt that WA is not treated well - we have 22 per cent of the national road transport network but get just 7.4 per cent of Commonwealth road funding.
“It is about time our Federal Coalition MPs such as Don Randall started standing up for the community, instead of trying to defend Canberra’s shabby contribution.”
Ms MacTiernan again recently raised the issue with Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss and Premier Geoff Gallop outlined the State Government’s position during a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister John Howard late last week.
The stakeholder group is made up of representatives from the City of Mandurah; City of Bunbury; City of Rockingham; Shire of Harvey; Shire of Murray; Shire of Waroona; Shire of Dardanup; Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale; the Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance; the Mandurah-Peel, Bunbury and South-West Chambers of Commerce; and the Peel and South-West Development Commissions.
Minister's office: 9213 6400
