Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to announce "game changing" $5.4B WA infrastructure package ahead of State Budget reveal

Western Australia is set to receive a record $5.4 billion infrastructure package, which will be announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Mark McGowan today ahead of next month's State Budget reveal.

The Federal Government's record spend, almost $1 billion more than last year's WA State Budget funding, will include $3.2 billion in Federal funding to WA with a significant $1.67 billion spend towards road projects and $1.05 billion of funding put towards Metronet focusing on the state's rail infrastructure, with a further $189 million towards hospital spending and $140 million for an upcoming water project in WA's south. The record funding aims to help solve the state's congestion issues.

“These congestion-busting projects are significant and transformative. They will create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth, while allowing commuters to get home sooner and safe,” The Prime Minister commented ahead of the initial infrastructure reveal today. 

The spending package unveil is headlined with $500 million towards the highly anticipated $1 billion Morley to Ellenbrook rail line, proposed to be developed at a 21km spur line from the existing Midland Line with the aim of connecting communities in Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Bennett Springs, Whiteman and finishing at Ellenbrook.

The Morley to Ellenbrook rail line project is set to help improve Perth's north-east suburb public transport connections, aiding existing communities and creating new communities through new stations over the next two years. 

Estimated Morley to Ellenbrook rail line path (source: Metronet)

The funding also includes $241 million for the Byford extension of the existing Armadale train line to assist the rapidly growing south-eastern population, and an additional $83 million for the relocation of the Midland train station closer to the St John of God Midland Hospital, which began planning last last year.

A further $2 million of Metronet's funding will go towards a business case for a railway station at Lakelands. This year's increase in funding comes up top of the $790 million previously allocated to Metronet in last year's State Budget, aiding commuters and public transport processes across Perth. 

“We successfully secured this funding from the Commonwealth to the benefit of all West Australians,” Premier Mr McGowan commented, furthering that the funding and related projects would “create thousands of jobs and provide a major injection into our local economy”.

The funding has been welcomed by Perth, to aid in the fast-growing population of the city. Federal Attorney-General Christen Porter has praised the $350 million in funds towards road projects stating it is "fantastic for our local community," while Federal Human Services Minister Michael Keenan has said the funding will aid in easing traffic congestions and opening up large areas of land for future development.

This was re-iterated by Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who negotiated with the State Government on the package that the funding will "deliver jobs and improve amenities, while also unlocking future urban and regional development opportunities across Western Australia," and that the infrastructure package will aid in the connection of the fast-growing north and south of Perth and work to improve key freight routes.

The 2018-19 State Budget for Western Australia is set to be announced Thursday, 10 May 2018.

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Source: Guardian Express