The Western Australian government has unveiled its budget for 2024-25, with a strong track record of investing in transport infrastructure projects continuing.
The budget has committed $11.8 billion over the next four years to new road, rail and transport infrastructure projects across the state as part as a wider $42.4 billion infrastructure investment.
The budget features a $13.4 billion commitment to road investments over four years, with new infrastructure delivered alongside road maintenance and upgrades.
Out of this funding, $4.5 billion will be invested into regional WA, with major projects currently being delivered across the state including the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, Albany Ring Road and the Mandurah Estuary Bridge Duplication.
The budget includes $4.8 billion for the Metronet program, with a further three major rail projects to be delivered in 2025 under the funding.
The combined state and federal funding will see 17 new train stations and 61.5 kilometres of new tracks delivered, with 15 level crossings also set to be removed around Perth.
More funding will be put into WA’s landmark Regional Road Safety Program, with the project expected to grow to around 9,000 kilometres upgraded by the end of the 2024-25 financial year.
“The WA government is investing in transport infrastructure to set up our state for decades to come, and this budget continues our strong track record of delivering for our future,” WA premier Roger Cook says.
“Right across WA we’re investing in our road network, including billions of dollars for major regional road projects and upgrades, improving road safety and cutting travel times for regional Western Australians.”
The WA budget is also prioritising training, with $13 million provided to extend the Heavy Vehicle Driver Training Program in the south-west of the state alongside a further $8 million to continue free TAFE courses.
WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says the state’s truck driver training program has already attracted 650 people to the heavy vehicle industry through a six-week training program.
“Just look at our Heavy Vehicle Driver training program, which has seen 650 people trained and employed as truckies, nearly 40 per cent of them being women,” Saffioti says.
“It’s an incredible achievement considering women make up around five per cent of the industry nationally. In this budget, we are expanding the Heavy Vehicle Driver Training Program to the regions, as part of our overall investment of $1.1 billion for training in regional WA.
“Our government is absolutely focused on ensuring we deliver a better transport system for the WA community, with significant investment across regional Western Australia and in Perth over the next four years.
“The budget will also continue our strong investment on the regional road network, with major projects like the Albany Ring Road, Bunbury Outer Ring Road and Bussell Highway Duplication all on track for completion in the next 12 months.”