RAC has welcomed funding in today’s State Budget for a range of strategic road and rail projects, however WA’s road maintenance backlog remains an issue and a risk.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said the State Budget includes real infrastructure highlights for WA motorists and builds momentum for the future of public transport and cycling.
“Combining with the Federal Budget, there is significant investment in major projects to improve road safety and congestion as well as additional funding in future years for the Principal Shared Path Program, an important initiative to further enhance Perth’s cycling network,” Mr Golsby said.
“However, while there is funding for road safety initiatives, we’re concerned the Budget fails to demonstrate a long-term approach to addressing the alarming rate of deaths and serious injuries on WA’s regional roads.
“Over 60 per cent of road fatalities consistently occur in regional WA and we desperately need long term and targeted investment that will improve road safety and help reduce the $845 million road maintenance backlog confronting our State.
“Investment in major transport projects is critical and welcomed, however, just like renovating the home, it’s great to build the extensions but it’s essential to maintain the foundations.
“Our concern is the urgent need for the state and federal governments to adequately fund a joint, long-term regional road safety program.
“WA used to be one the best when it came to road safety, we’re now the worst.
“If WA was simply in line with the national average, more than 40 Western Australian lives would have been saved last year. If we had matched Victoria’s rate, we would have almost halved our 2018 road toll.
“There are some real highlights in this Budget for WA motorists in terms of infrastructure, but unfortunately they are accompanied by yet another increase to vehicle registration fees above the rate of inflation."
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RAC Media Contact: Rhys Heron, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
