RAC calls for fair go for WA motorists
02 August 2010
The RAC says Western Australia’s ability to take advantage of the current resources boom is being put at risk by a lack of Federal funding for road projects.
The RAC has released its election priority list which calls on both parties to “take the brakes off” the Western Australian economy by investing in new road projects.
The “Take the Brakes Off” campaign calls for an increase in Western Australia’s share of Federal transport infrastructure funding from the current 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
“The funding increase is essential to ensure the State can cope with the rapid increase in population generated by the resources boom,” according to RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown.
“Western Australians are growing tired of sending our tax dollars to Canberra only to see them being spent on road and rail projects up and down the Eastern seaboard.
“It’s time for us to get a fair go for our roads. The current round of Federal road funding expires in 2013/14. Both major parties should commit to raising our share of future funding to 15 per cent to help invest in the projects our State needs.
“If both leaders believe Western Australia is the key to our nation’s economic growth, they should be prepared to back a winner.
“It may be politically expedient to spend huge amounts in New South Wales and Queensland but if they’re interested in real economic growth Western Australia is where the serious money should be spent.”
Mr Brown said the Labor Party’s announcement of $480million for the Gateway WA airport roads project was an excellent first step in a delivering a fairer share of funding for Western Australia.
“It’s a good start and the Coalition should match this commitment but we need to understand we are making up a lot of lost ground,” Mr Brown said.
“The key to long term growth in Western Australia is lifting our share of the total pool of funds.
“Only then will we be able to address the road safety, congestion and economic efficiency issues which plague our road network.”
The RAC’s “Take the Brakes Off” Federal election priorities include:
- a $100million Regional Roads Rescue program to improve safety standards in country WA (50:50 Federal/State split)
- inclusion of Brand Highway –North West Coastal Highway on the national highway network along with funding for upgrade projects
- Reid Highway upgrade including funding for grade separations at the intersections at Malaga Drive and Mirrabooka Avenue
- $200million to complete Stage 2 of the Muchea to Wubin upgrade of the Great Northern Highway
- $250million for widening and safety upgrades on the Walgoolan to Coolgardie stretch of the Great Eastern Highway
- $20million for project development work for the Swan Valley Bypass (Perth to Darwin Highway)
A full list of priorities from the “Take the Brakes Off” campaign can be found at
www.rac.com.au/takethebrakesoff