WA Govt invests $1.38bn towards local road projects under new agreement

A new five-year State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement (SRFLGA) has been signed by the Western Australian Government with the WA Local Government Association (WALGA). 

This agreement will guarantee councils 20 per cent of the revenue collected from vehicle licence fee collections in the State to be allocated to local roads. 

“This is a great example of State and local government working together to deliver road safety improvements across the State. 

“My Government is proud to deliver this record funding agreement to ensure we are meeting the challenges of maintaining and improving the State’s vast road network,” Premier Roger Cook said. 

The agreement was first negotiated in 1995 and it reinforces the partnership between the State and local governments, providing critical funding towards the improvement and maintenance of the local government road network. 

Under this new agreement, Main Roads and WALGA have agreed to commit to addressing road safety objectives as well as increasing Aboriginal employment and improving the use of recycled materials in road construction. 

“Our Government is committed to working collaboratively with local governments to ensure our road network is maintained and continues to be improved. 

“This agreement will ensure we continue to maintain and improve Western Australia’s road network with a record amount of funding for local roads. 

“The new Agreement has a strengthened focus on road safety objectives to align with the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, and to deliver outcomes aligned with the State’s priorities of increasing Aboriginal employment and use of recycled materials in road construction. 

“The agreement also brings a renewed focus to access roads for remote Aboriginal communities with $2.5 million allocated this financial year and further investments in the years ahead,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

67 per cent of annual funding in direct grants, road project grants, State Black Spot allocations and remote Aboriginal access roads will go to local government-managed programs. 

On the other hand, the remaining 33 per cent of funding will go to Main Road managed programs including State initiatives on local roads, bridgeworks and bridge inspections, and traffic management, signs and pavement markings. 

“WALGA and local government welcome the commitment by the State Government to enter in to the sixth State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement. 

“The agreement is a vital source of funding providing certainty for local government and the communities they represent, for the term of the Agreement. 

“The new State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement strengthens the partnership between the two tiers of Government and the shared effort to improve and maintain the State’s local road network,” WALGA President Karen Chappel said. 

The new agreement will deliver a record $1.38 billion in funding for local road projects over a five-year period, with about $253 million to be delivered this financial year. 

Funding breakdown by region for 2023/24 

Note: Additional funding is also allocated to a number of non-region-specific programs and initiatives

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; WA Local Government Association; Government News; Roads & Infrastructure Australia