RAC has welcomed $1.3 billion in funding announced by the Australian Government for road upgrades and infrastructure projects to make WA communities safer and less congested.
RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said the infrastructure investment would deliver important projects across the State.
“It is positive to see investment in our road network to make it safer and easier to get around, with funding for major road and intersection upgrades, new transport infrastructure, and technology improvements,” Mr Golsby said.
“While the level of funding announced today is significant, an opportunity has been missed to accelerate delivery of the life-saving, job creating Regional Road Safety Program.”
Road trauma costs the WA economy approximately $2.4 billion every year. Fully delivered the WA Government’s Regional Road Safety Program would upgrade 17,000kms of regional roads, save more than 2,100 people from being killed or seriously injured and create thousands of jobs.
“The social and economic case for this project is so compelling which is why RAC has consistently called for the entire Program to be fully funded by the WA and Australian governments to provide certainty to regional communities that it will be delivered over four years,” Mr Golsby said.
The Australian Government has today committed $16 million of additional funding for the Regional Road Safety Program to cover increased costs for upgrades already being progressed by the WA Government.
“We welcome this additional funding to cover cost increases for the first part of the Program, however it’s critical the remaining funding needed to roll out the Program in full is committed to urgently,” Mr Golsby said.
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RAC Media Contact: Rhys Heron, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
BACKGROUND
Regional Road Safety Program
The $900m Regional Road Safety Program is an initiative of the WA Government. To date, approximately $518m has been committed to by the WA and Australian governments. RAC strongly welcomes these commitments, but continues to call for the remaining funding to deliver the Program in full over four years. Read more.
