$1.5 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE STIMULUS TO DRIVE RECOVERY IN CANNING

Major Upgrade to Thomas Road Funded

A new $1.5 billion Australian Government infrastructure package will provide an injection into the economy and bring jobs back online to help stem the impact of COVID-19.

Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie said getting shovels in the ground on local construction projects was important for maintaining jobs and economic growth in the Peel region.

“Every single job that we support makes a huge difference in local communities – now and as we navigate out of the pandemic,” Mr Hastie said.

“Of the projects benefitting WA, the most significant for our region is a major upgrade to Thomas Road, between Nicholson Rd and the Kwinana Freeway.”

“An additional kilometre of Thomas Road will be duplicated near the Kwinana Freeway, along with the construction of a new roundabout. The remaining single carriageway of this section of road will also be upgraded.”

“These new upgrades will cost $8 million; the cost being shared 50:50 by the state and federal governments.”

“All this is in addition to the upgrade we committed to last year at the Nicholson Road intersection, which is also half funded by the federal government.”

“Around 19,000 vehicles travel along Thomas Road every day, including a lot of heavy freight. Anyone who has travelled along this stretch of road knows how dangerous it can be – accidents happen far too frequently.

So this upgrade is a very welcome development for our community.

“Infrastructure projects like this crucial for helping us bounce back after the COVID-19 crisis has ended."

“Construction is expected to begin late 2020 and be completed by late 2021. It will support around 125 direct and indirect jobs during construction.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new package would fund shovel-ready infrastructure projects that can support local jobs immediately.

“This funding will deliver critical infrastructure projects right across the country to help keep construction businesses running and people in jobs,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“$1 billion of this package will fund projects that can get underway now and over the next six months, to give an immediate boost to the economy and local jobs – right at the time we need it.

“We will work together with the states and territories to deliver these job-creating priority projects, building on our unprecedented cooperation to date through the National Cabinet of States and Territories.”

“The package also includes a $500 million Targeted Road Safety Works initiative for states and territories to deliver smaller but critical projects to improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks.

“The Government has already announced $500 million for local governments to support projects such as road safety improvements, maintaining community infrastructure and increasing accessibility.

“This is part of our $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline, which is laying the foundations of a financial bridge to recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.”

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the $1.5 billion package, combined with the additional funding to local governments, is expected to support up to 12,000 direct and indirect jobs by creating new local opportunities and securing existing positions.

“This package will support thousands of jobs across our national construction sector, which we know is facing many challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis,” Mr Tudge said.

“This includes local governments as well, who will receive funding to deliver targeted projects in their area.

“We will continue to work across governments and in partnership with industry to ensure the safety of all Australians while they deliver our pipeline of critical infrastructure projects.”

MORRISON GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FOR LAKELANDS

An extra $25 million committed today by the Morrison Government will help make a train station at Lakelands a reality for locals.

This brings the Morrison Government total commitment to this project to $37 million, including business case funding.

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the funding built on other recent commitments for the people of Canning, including $16 million for commuter car parking at Mandurah Station, $10 million for Thomas Road and Nicholson Road in Oakford and $404 million for the Tonkin Highway Stage 3 project.

“It is all about busting congestion on our roads, and getting people home sooner and safer,” Mr Tudge said.

“We want people to be spending less time in traffic and be doing what’s important to them – spending time with family and friends.”

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie said “The clear message I’ve received from the people of Lakelands over the last three years is to get this station built. I’ve fought in Canberra to make that happen and the federal government has been with our community every step of the way.

“Today’s announcement brings the Morrison Government’s commitment to the Lakelands Train Station to $37 million. Meanwhile, WA Labor is ignoring our community and calling Lakelands a station that ‘no one needs’.

“The choice at this election is clear – only a Morrison Liberal Government is committed to building a train station in Lakelands.

“Our funding is in place - all we need is the WA government to get on board and commit the final funding to this critically needed project.”

The Morrison Government’s strong record of infrastructure investment in WA is ensuring that West Australians are getting home sooner and safer, and spending less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with their families doing the things that matter.

The projects build on an additional $1.6 billion of our Liberal Nationals Government's investment into critical road and rail infrastructure across Perth and regional Western Australia in the recent budget.

More than $13.6 billion has been invested by the Liberal-National Government in West Australian road and rail infrastructure since coming into Government in September 2013, including $4.8 billion over the past two Budgets.

The Morrison Government has delivered $16 million to expand the Mandurah train station car park as part of its $1.6 billion investment into critical infrastructure in Perth and regional WA.

Mr Hastie said the project was further evidence of the Coalition’s commitment to the Peel Region.

“For the past three years I’ve worked deliver the infrastructure and essential services needed to improve lives in Mandurah and the Peel region. That’s included record investment in the Peel Health Campus, funding a locally driven plan for jobs though the Peel Business Park, and supporting local organisations, schools and service providers.

“The Mandurah station car park is a bottleneck in our local public transport system. This investment by the Morrison Government will help relieve pressure and make the morning commute into Perth easier for hundreds of people in our community.

“This isn’t an election commitment – this money is delivered and in the budget.”

Mr Hastie said the Morrison Government was working constructively with the State Government and expected them to do so in return.

“Population growth in Mandurah’s northern suburbs will continue to put pressure on the station car park, even with the expansion. We need a real plan for public transport in Mandurah and that must include Lakelands train station.

“We worked constructively with the State Government to deliver on the car park expansion. I’m asking that they do the same for the Lakelands station. Up until now David Templeman has done nothing to help make the station a reality. Come to the table with some funding for Lakelands, stop ignoring the people of north Mandurah.”

 The Morrison Government has increased its investment in the Tonkin Highway upgrade to $929 million, including $404 million to extend the Highway south past Mundijong Road and connect it to the South Western Highway.

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie joined the Prime Minister on Thursday to make the announcement, saying the money was further evidence of the Coalition’s commitment to SJ and the Peel region.

“This announcement builds on the commitment made 12 months ago by the Coalition, when we delivered $581 million to upgrade and extend the Tonkin Highway,” Mr Hastie said. “Back then WA Labor agreed to a 50/50 funding arrangement, but for 12 months they did nothing.”

“I know how important this project is to the growth and safety of our region, so I went back to Canberra and took the case up again. This additional funding brings the Morrison Government’s contribution to the project to a ratio of 80/20.”

“This money is in the budget. It’s not tied to the outcome of the election – it is there and ready to go. I call on WA Labor once again to use this money and start building.

“I’ve spoken to countless people around Byford and SJ about this issue over the past three years – almost everyone wants the Tonkin Highway extended. I am determined to make it happen.”

The funding will also be used to upgrade the section of Tonkin Highway between the Great Eastern Highway and Collier Road, and to construct grade separations at the Kelvin, Welshpool and Hale Road intersections.

The funding comes as part of the Morrison Government’s additional $1.6 billion investment announced this week for critical infrastructure across Perth and regional Western Australia.

It builds upon the existing $9.81 billion worth of commitments to West Australian road and rail infrastructure.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this year’s Budget would lock in further federal support for crucial infrastructure projects across regional WA.

“The upcoming Budget will continue the Liberal Nationals Government’s firm commitment to ensuring Western Australia gets its fair share of infrastructure funding now and into the future,” the Prime Minister said.

“We are prioritising investment in the major projects needed to better support regional areas, ease congestion in and around Perth and reduce the terrible impact of road trauma by delivering safer roads.”

Mr Hastie also noted that WA Labor have since committed to funding the Tonkin Highway extension, should they win government at the upcoming election. He explained that this was a meaningless announcement which duplicated already allocated funds.

“Federal Labor said they will fund the Tonkin Highway should they win the election. It’s a very deceptive announcement – this money is already in the Commonwealth budget. They're too late to the party.  Labor should have been working with us 12 months ago when the Coalition delivered its first investment, not waiting for an election to come.”

The Morrison Government has listened to the people of Serpentine Jarrahdale and invested $10 million to fix one of WA’s most dangerous intersections.

The intersection of Thomas Road and Nicholson Road was the site of more than 57 accidents between 2011 and 2016. It has been flagged by RAC as one of top ten most dangerous intersections in WA for several years.

Last year locals approached Andrew Hastie about the intersection and said they were concerned the state and local governments weren’t doing enough to address the issue, so he took the case up in Canberra.

“Last year I met with the Deputy Prime Minister in his role as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development to talk about Thomas Road. He was shocked at the number of accidents happening at the Thomas-Nicholson Road intersection and promised to look into funding options.”

“This funding will be used to upgrade the intersection, making it safer and saving lives.”

“It’s committed in the budget and doesn’t depend on the election – this upgrade will happen.”

“The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale’s population has more than doubled since 2006, from 12,000 to 26,000. It's expected to reach over 32,000 people this year. In Byford more than 4,000 new homes were built between 2006 and 2016. We have high-density housing where dairy farms once stood and we have high-frequency traffic on country roads. This intersection was badly impacted by that increased traffic.”

“This is just the start. There are other intersections along Thomas Road that need upgrading and I will be working hard to make it happen.”

There are unique circumstances about the site which make it an expensive intersection to upgrade. The Federal Government will now with Main Roads WA to facilitate the upgrade.

The funding comes as part of the Morrison Government’s additional $1.6 billion investment announced this week for critical infrastructure across Perth and regional Western Australia.

The main streets of Pinjarra will soon be safer thanks to a $22 million investment by the Morrison Government to build the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation.

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie campaigned for the Deviation for many months in Canberra, including meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.  Mr Hastie hailed the funding as a major win for Pinjarra and the Peel region.

“Over 690 trucks drive down the main street of Pinjarra every day,” Mr Hastie said. “As our region continues to grow that number will rise. If we had done nothing Pinjarra’s roads would be at capacity, causing serious congestion and increasing the likelihood of a bad accident.

“The deviation will get heavy vehicles out of the CBD, making Pinjarra safer for locals. It will also increase the productivity of local industry. Trucks will no longer have to slow down and wait for lights as they pass through town.”

The funding comes as part of the Morrison Government’s additional $1.6 billion investment announced this week for critical infrastructure across Perth and regional Western Australia.

It builds upon the existing $9.81 billion worth of commitments to West Australian road and rail infrastructure.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this year’s Budget would lock in further federal support for crucial infrastructure projects across regional WA.

“The upcoming Budget will continue the Liberal and Nationals Government’s firm commitment to ensuring Western Australia gets its fair share of infrastructure funding now and into the future,” the Prime Minister said.

“We are prioritising investment in the major projects needed to better support regional areas, ease congestion in and around Perth and reduce the terrible impact of road trauma by delivering safer roads.”

The Morrison Government will be getting the people of Mandurah home sooner and safer with an additional $10 million to build the Lakelands train station.

Mr. Hastie has championed the construction of a train station in Lakelands since the promise of one was first brought to his attention by residents in 2016. It will be the second station in the City of Mandurah and fill a 23km gap in the Mandurah rail line.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the important thing was that people would be spending less time on the road and more time with their loved ones.

“That is why we are investing in public transport infrastructure and that will make a real difference to people living in fast-growing suburbs,” the Prime Minister said.

”This will help families and businesses get back valuable time.”

Mr Hastie said the $10 million toward Lakelands train station came in addition to the $2 million delivered last year by the Liberals for the station’s business case. It will be used in the early works of the station’s construction.

“Lakelands residents first raised the prospect of building a train station with me while I was door knocking the neighborhood in 2016. They explained that the promise of a train station had been included in the suburb’s development proposal. Many bought their first home or chose to retire in Lakelands because of that promise, some as long ago as 2006.”

“A train station in Lakelands means that residents from the north of Mandurah won’t have to travel south by car before catching a train north to the city. That will mean fewer cars clogging up our roads and less pressure on the Mandurah train station car park.”

“It will also mean easier access to more jobs and services for the people of Lakelands.”

 “We are committing $10 million today because this project needs leadership. WA Labor have ignored the people of Lakelands and refused to commit to the station. The Morrison Government is putting money on the table to get things started.

“This train station is a priority for the Morrison Government because it is a priority for the people of Lakelands.”

Ten years of hard work by two sporting clubs in Roleystone has paid off, thanks to assistance from the Morrison Government.

Minister for Sport Senator Bridget McKenzie will join Member for Canning Andrew Hastie in Roleystone today to announce a $500,000 grant for the construction of a new pavilion for the Roleystone Karragullen Cricket Club and Roleystone Netball Club.

Andrew Hastie has worked hard to secure funding for the Pavilion, raising the project in Parliament, writing to the Minister and personally meeting with her to argue the merits of the project.

“The passion and the initiative cricket and netball clubs makes this project a very worthy recipient of significant federal funding. Both clubs play an important role in the Roleystone community

Over the past 10 years the cricket club alone has raised $250,000 toward a better building.

Today the Prime Minister joined me in Mandurah to announce $824 million of federal funding to build three vital infrastructure projects for Canning. This is a major investment into our region.

Historic Funding Announced For The Peel Region

This is the culmination of many years of effort. We will extend and upgrade the Tonkin Highway, build Lakelands Train Station and give Byford locals access to rail.  

These projects will transform the Peel Region in the best possible way. Thank you for signing my petitions, voicing your concerns, and telling your stories. Time and again, you have strengthened the case I've made in Canberra.

Over half a billion dollars will improve and extend the Tonkin Highway southward into the heart of the Peel region. This will put Peel on the map, bringing more jobs and streamlining access to Canning. I’m happy to announce the hard work has paid off.

The Tonkin Highway and Thomas Road intersection has become a severe bottleneck and safety hazard, causing heavy congestion to spill out onto many adjoining local roads. This chokes industrial growth and puts lives at risk. The new extension will connect Tonkin to the South Western Highway, south of Mundijong Road. It will enable free flowing traffic, and improve the safety of many local roads in SJ. 

If you’re a FIFO worker an area like Pinjarra, North Dandalup or Greenfields, shorter commutes will mean more time at home with loved ones. The Tonkin Highway Extension will give you a direct route to the airport.

The Tonkin Highway Extension Will Reduce Congestion And Improve Safety On Roads Throughout SJ

John Mitchell, owner and operator of Mitchell’s Livestock Transport, moves over 500,000 cattle across 1,500 pick-up and delivery locations across Australia. Instead of using a patchwork of main streets and country roads that are unsuitable for heavy haulage, John will soon have access to a newly created North-South corridor.

This is also great news for businessmen like Ron Bell, too. Ron built his business, Bells Engines, from scratch into a big operation with a global market. Although he’d like to expand while remaining local, a growing number of hurdles have forced him to consider leaving the Peel region.  

The new Tonkin Highway extension is exactly what Ron and John need: better road access that will support their businesses.

Improved Infrastructure Will Develop The Local Economy, Growing Jobs And Industry In The Peel Region

A further $241 million will extend the Armadale line to Byford. This is big news. Byford is the fastest growing local government area in Australia. If you live locally, the train will provide easy access to employment in Perth and beyond.

Serpentine-Jarrahdale has undergone serious change over the past 10 years. I acknowledge the anxiety some feel about how the train line may impact our region. I’ll be following the project closely, to ensure the local community isn’t left behind.

This Investment is a Game-Changer For Our Region

This morning the Prime Minister confirmed funding that will get the ball rolling on the Lakelands Train Station. Lakelands residents have been waiting over a decade for this to happen. In that time, the Lakelands population has tripled. $2 million has been allocated to develop the business case, and further funding has been set aside for the station's construction.

We've fought hard for this infrastructure funding. This is a game changer for our region - thank you for your support.

Residents of Canning have received a major boost to road safety, with the Coalition Government set to invest over $1,270,000 to upgrade problem roads under the 2018-19 Black Spot Program.

The money will be spent to upgrade roads in Roleystone, Serpentine and Pinjarra.

Road upgrades

Karnup Road, Serpentine, between Walker and Hopeland Road. Upgrades will include the widening and sealing of shoulders; the installation of edge lines, signs and delineation; and the removal of roadside hazards and obstructions.

Kingsbury Drive, Serpentine, between the South Western Highway and Mayara Road. Development will include the sealing of shoulders to 1m, the removal of hazards, and the installation of audible edge lines, guideposts and signs.

Croyden Road, Roleystone, between Brookton Highway and the Gardiner Road and Redtail Lane intersection. This will include the widening and sealing of shoulders, the installation of edge lines, signs and delineation, and the removal of roadside hazards and obstructions.

Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra. Installation of a roundabout on the intersection of Murray Street and Pinjarra Road.   

Andrew Hastie said improving transport infrastructure was one of his key priorities.

“In many parts of Canning road maintenance and development has not kept up with the rise in population.

"I know many people are concerned about the quality of local roads frequently used by heavy transport. These upgrades will help handle the increased traffic and improve road safety.

“None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input, and I’d encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our roads was a key focus of his role as infrastructure minister.

“Accidents on our roads cost Australian’s approximately $30 billion per year – let alone the pain borne by families and friends who have lost loved ones,” Mr McCormack said.

“On average, Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent, making it one of the most effective road safety measures the Australian Government has at its disposal.

“The Coalition Government has extended the Black Spot Program and is providing $60 million per year from 2021-22 onwards, building on the current $684.5 million investment from 2013-14 to 2020-21.

For more information, or to make a nomination, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/