RAC welcomes the McGowan Government’s investment in transport infrastructure to help reduce traffic congestion and improve public transport, while also focusing on election commitments to target the State's unacceptable road safety record.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said while today’s State Budget delivered road safety and transport election commitments in a period of economic uncertainty, motorists should not continue to be seen as an easy target to help repair the budget in future years.
“RAC welcomes $423 million in funding for the Thornlie-Cockburn rail line – a priority for RAC since 2012,” he said.
“We also welcome funding for regional cities, including funding to plan for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road. The State’s riskiest road as identified by the community earlier this year, Denny Avenue in Kelmscott, has also received $69 million in funding.
“The Budget also provides funding to implement a regional enforcement unit, and increase drug and alcohol testing – two RAC priorities in the recent State Election campaign. This is in addition to extra funding for safety treatments to repair dangerous regional roads.”
RAC warns however that this should not be a cost shift from the Government's core Police and road maintenance funding and responsibilities, noting the funding is allocated from the Road Trauma Trust Account (RTTA) and Royalties for Regions fund.
The State Government must guarantee the release of a cost benefit analysis and evaluation of the RTTA to ensure transparency about the road safety benefits of the projects funded.
Although RAC welcomes funding for the Bunbury-based RAC Rescue helicopter service for an additional year, the budget does not provide certainty for this life-saving service beyond this financial year.
As announced on 22 June 2017, households are now paying more to register their vehicle, for driver’s licence fees and to use public transport.
“Perth's public transport costs are now the second most expensive in the country, second only to Sydney,” Mr Golsby said.
“Transport costs represent 10.7 per cent of the household budget in Perth and 9.5 per cent for a regional city like Bunbury.
“Year on year motorists are paying more and more. The McGowan Government must guarantee any increases to motorist fees and charges in the 2018-19 budget remain at or below the rate of inflation.”
RAC is also concerned the Motor Injury Insurance Scheme, a new combination of the Compulsory Third Party and Catastrophic Insurance Support Scheme, will increase by 2.79 per cent this financial year.
This concern extends to how the no-fault scheme will be managed into the future.
Today’s budget papers also show the Perth Parking Licensing Account balance is $56 million, up from $26 million in 2016-17, and RAC encourages the State Government to ensure this money is allocated to improve public transport options in the Perth city area.
RAC earlier this week welcomed the State Government’s $129 million investment in cycling infrastructure.
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