Budget allots $236m for Northbridge rail

The federal government has allocated $236 million for the sinking of the Northbridge rail line as part of the $8 billion Building Australia fund, while $255 million has been allocated for a new State Rehabilitation Centre.

Treasurer Wayne Swan today said the money to be used for the rail line will also be split with the redevelopment of the Wellington Street bus station.

In its submission to the Infrastructure Australia, which manages the fund, the state govenrment had sought a total of $263 million for the sinking of the Northbridge rail line and a further $205 million to sink the central bus station.

The state government also included a $135 million option to relocate the Wellington Street bus station.

Meantime, an additional $421 million has been allocated towards the state's roads including the entrance road to Mandurah, stage one of the Great Northern Highway near Port Hedland and the doubling of the Dampier Highway between Karratha and Dampier.

Health wise, $255 million will go towards the rehabilitation centre at the Fiona Stanley Hospital while $180 million has been set aside for a new metropolitan hospital in Midland.

Curtin University will receive $20.5 million which will fund a new Engineering Pavillion.