A new report commissioned by RAC shows that over the past 12 years, WA has averaged a return of just 28c for every dollar of motoring taxation collected by successive Federal Governments.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said the upcoming Budget provides the opportunity for the current Federal Government to recognise this continued funding shortfall and substantially increase its investment into the transport projects WA urgently needs.
“Billions of dollars have been paid by WA motorists through taxes like fuel excise, yet this report clearly shows that WA has been short changed for more than a decade when it comes to federal road funding,” Mr Golsby said.
In 2016-17 alone, for every dollar collected by the Federal Government (total collections of $2,699 million), only 30c will be returned in funding for WA roads (total transfers of $806 million).
Lifting this funding to at least 50 per cent of the revenue collected by the Federal Government could fully-fund construction of both the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and Albany Ring Road projects within two years, or the Thornlie rail line extension within a single year. It could then fund 12 kilometres of new passenger rail every year after.
“Unfortunately the future also looks bleak, with the Federal Government currently estimated to return an average of 36c per dollar collected per annum over the next five years, peaking at 62c per dollar in 2017-18 and dropping to only 12c per dollar collected by 2020-21,” Mr Golsby said.
This is despite recent reports by Infrastructure Australia, the independent statutory body established to provide advice to the Federal Government, identifying the transport challenges facing WA.
In February 2018, Infrastructure Australia’s report, Future Cities: Planning for our growing population, noted Perth had experienced the nation’s fastest rate of population growth between 2006 and 2016 — increasing in size by 28%, — while also highlighting that over the next 30 years, Perth would reach a similar population to the Sydney and Melbourne of today.
In 2015, Infrastructure Australia also forecast that by 2031, seven of the 10 most congested roads nationally will be in Perth, including the top four, with congestion expected to cost WA more than $16 billion a year in lost productivity.
RAC has identified 10 transport priorities to be funded in the next Federal Budget:
1. Thornlie to Cockburn rail line
2. Rating and improving the safety of existing roads
3. Automated and connected vehicles
4. Smart transport solutions
5. Perth Light Rail
6. Rail for Perth’s northern corridor
7. Major highway grade separations
8. Bunbury Outer Ring Road
9. Albany Ring Road
10. Cycling infrastructure
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Media contact: Rhys Heron 0401 703 719
