The non-primary freight network will become safer according to the Federal government
In a pre-election bid, the Federal government is planning to allocate $6.4 million towards the Great Southern secondary freight network.
The Federal government has previously shown it wishes to fund road improvement projects, including black spot projects across three states, but it is now investing in freight upgrades too to enhance Australia’s supply chain.
A total of $8 million will be put forward by the Federal and state governments in a joint funding arrangement that sees the Great Southern secondary freight network receive much-needed improvements to non-primary transportation routes across the country.
Changes include widening road lanes, sealing road shoulders, improving line markings and erecting new signage to make secondary freight routes safer for transport workers.
The $6.4 million allocated by the Federal government forms part of the Federal budget it handed down last week, with state governments covering the remaining $1.6 million in funding.
Local members say the project will improve the agriculture industry amongst others in the area.
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“This funding will create jobs, boost business investment and drive the region’s economic recovery from the COVID pandemic,” O’Connor member Rick Wilson says.
The funding allocation announcement was made early due to the premature budget, as the upcoming election means the Federal government is releasing plans for future growth ahead of the election campaign.