RAC’s State Budget Submission 2016-17, released today, outlines the organisation’s funding priorities to keep road users safe and meet the increasing demands being placed on WA’s road and public transport system.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said RAC’s submission had been developed in the context of Perth becoming the third largest city by 2028, behind Sydney and Melbourne, and that our State needed a coordinated and strategic transport plan to meet the challenges ahead.
“To offset the escalating economic and social costs brought on by road trauma and congestion, we must step up rather than scale back our investment in infrastructure and initiatives,” he said.
“By 2031, seven of the nation’s top 10 congested roads, including the top four, will be in Perth and the loss in productivity is estimated to be $16 billion that same year.
“The Government needs to release its transport plans that outline how they will build for the State’s future needs while also squeezing more out of our existing transport infrastructure.
“Without these plans, it is impossible see how informed decisions are being made in the best interest of the State’s future.”
RAC is also focused on increased investment for regional infrastructure and the need for WA roads, vehicles and the community to be safer.
- A renewed and improved commitment to reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads;
- Sustained and widespread investment in the public transport network;
- Investment in road projects to improve the operation of the existing network;
- A commitment to keep the cost of motoring down;
- Support for the provision of infrastructure to service alternative vehicle technologies; and
- The accelerated delivery of safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cycling.
Mr Golsby said WA motorists should not be unfairly targeted as part of the Government’s efforts to raise revenue.
“WA motorists are already paying their fair share,” he said.
“The last budget increased the costs of vehicle registration and licensing above the rate of inflation and costs will rise again this year.”
Mr Golsby also urged the WA Government to outline how the $141 million sitting in the Road Trauma Trust Account would be spent on road safety initiatives.
“We’ve had a horrific start to the year on our roads – 55 fatalities, 37 of those in regional WA – and we continue to have the worst road safety record of any state in Australia,” he said.
“Increased enforcement, particularly in regional areas where the majority of fatalities have occurred this year, must be an absolute priority for Government.”
Read the full RAC’s State Budget Submission 16-17 online.
Media contact: RAC Media Office 0401 703 719
