2022-23 Federal Budget: $2.1bn funding for WA infrastructure projects

Monica Gameng   |   April 3, 2022
Perth skyline (cr: Pixabay - georgeartmantiri)

The Australian Government is providing a major funding boost for Western Australian infrastructure with a more than $2.1 billion investment through the 2022-23 Federal Budget. 

Investing in projects that create jobs, drive economic growth and will keep commuters as well as freight moving and safe are all part of the Australian Government’s plan for a stronger future. 

The significant investment in new and existing infrastructure projects across the nation builds on the Australian Government’s national rolling 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, increasing it to a record $120 billion. 

“We are investing in projects that will drive the growth of industries that generate the wealth our nation needs to become as strong as possible as quickly as possible. 

“Getting more commodities to ports and sending then overseas will generate more export income, making our nation wealthier and stronger. Better roads and infrastructure will enable that,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said. 

Some key new projects in Western Australia covered by the 2022-23 Budget include: 

  • $145 million for the Thomas Road – Dual Carriageway – South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway and interchange at Tonkin Highway 
  • $140 million for Regional Road Safety Upgrades 
  • $100 million for the METRONET: Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal 
  • $50 million for the Tonkin Highway – North Ellenbrook Interchange 
  • $48 million for the Moorine Rock to Mt Holland Road Upgrades 
  • $40 million for the Newman to Katherine Corridor Upgrade – Great Northern Highway Upgrade – Newman to Port Hedland Overtaking Lanes 

Existing projects that will receive additional funding from the Budget include: 

  • $320 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (Stages 2 and 3) 
  • $200 million for the Tonkin Highway Stage 3 Extension 
  • $178 million for the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation – Stages 1 and 2 
  • $135 million for the METRONET: Thornlie-Cockburn Link 
  • $116 million for the METRONET: High Capacity Signalling 
  • $90 million for the METRONET: Yanchep Rail Extension 

The total infrastructure investment from the Australian Government for Western Australia since 2013 has amounted to over $20.2 billion, split across 152 road and rail infrastructure projects where 50 projects have already been completed. 

Government-funded transport infrastructure projects that are currently underway in the State are anticipated to support up to 28,500 jobs. 

“Our Government has a strong track record in delivering infrastructure that improves connections, reduces congestion and helps keep Australians moving, particularly across our fast growing urban centres. 

“This includes investing in city-shaping projects like METRONET, with the funding in this Budget bringing the Federal Government’s total investment to more than $3.7 billion across 16 METRONET projects, which are expected to support over 18,000 jobs. 

“What this means for Perth commuters is less time spent in traffic and more time with loved ones, and the ability to move around more easily for work, which has a positive economic and productivity impact while helping to secure long-term prosperity and liveability,” Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said. 

Below is the list of new and existing projects that will receive funding through the $2.1 billion investment for Western Australia. 

New Projects 

Project Name Total Australian Government Contribution Regional Status Location
Thomas Road - Dual Carriageway South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway and interchange at Tonkin Highway $145 million Urban Byford
Regional Road Safety Upgrades $140 million Regional Regional WA
METRONET: Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal $100 million Urban Midland
Tonkin Highway - North Ellenbrook Interchange $50 million Urban Ellenbrook
Moorine Road to Mt Holland Road Upgrades $48 million Regional Yilgan
Newman to Katherine Corridor Upgrade (WA) - Great Northern Highway Upgrade - Newman to Port Hedland Overtaking Lanes $40 million Regional Newman
Mid West Secondary Freight Network $22.4 million Regional Midwest Region
Forrest Highway (Vittoria Road) - New Intersection and Road Connection $16 million Regional Bunbury
York Light Industrial Area Access Improvements $8 million Regional York
Great Southern Secondary Freight Network $6.4 million Regional Great Southern Region
Nicholson Road / Garden Street Grade Separation - Planning, Preconstruction and Land Acquisition $5 million Urban City of Gosnells
Leach Highway / Stock Road Grade Separation (Planning and Project Development) $5 million Urban Willagee

 

Additional Funding for Existing Projects 

Project Name Total Australian Government Contribution Additional funding at 2022-23 Budget Regional Status Location
Bunbury Outer Ring Road (stages 2 and 3) $1.001 billion $320 million Regional Bunbury
Tonkin Highway Stage 3 Extension $604 million $200 million Both (Regional, Urban) Mundijong / Cardup
METRONET: Thornlie-Cockburn Link $485 million $135 million Urban South East Perth
Outback Way - Western Australia Future Priorities $476.5 million $400 million Regional Central WA
METRONET: Yanchep Rail Extension $440 million $90 million Urban Perth Northern Corridor
METRONET: High Capacity Signalling $250 million $116.2 million Urban Perth
Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation (stages 1 and 2) $200 million $178 million Both Pinjarra
Fremantle Traffic Bridge (Swan River Crossing) $140 million $25 million Urban Fremantle
Perth CBD Transport Plan - Swan River Bridge $50 million $25 million Urban Central Perth

 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts 

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Monica Gameng
As Felix's Marketing Assistant since 2015, Monica is responsible for researching and sharing new and progressing projects within the construction and mining sectors in Australia. It's no surprise that Monica has her finger on the pulse of Australian major projects given she has produced more than 1,000 posts. She truly is an industry expert.
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