Buswell announces new state road deals

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has announced a new five-year funding arrangement that will see state funding to local government grow by 22 per cent over the next five years.

The new State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement was signed this week by Transport Minister Troy Buswell and Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) president Troy Pickard.

In 2011-12, local government in WA will share in $145million in road funds from the state, and the figure is expected to rise to $177 million by 2015-16.

The funding will be spent maintaining and improving the local road network, which covers a distance of about 130,000km.

Funding under the agreement is derived from WA's annual vehicle licence fee collections, from which local government shares in 27 per cent of revenue.

Mr Buswell said this was the fourth such agreement between the state and local governments.

"An important benefit of an agreement such as this is that councils will have the confidence of planning road maintenance and improvements into the future, knowing there is a guaranteed source of funds to complete the task," Mr Buswell said.

"Roads are an important strategic link in the State's transport network, delivering social as well as economic benefits for WA and the nation," the Minister said.

"There is a recognised need for co-operation and co-ordination between agencies with an interest in maintaining our roads, and this agreement ensures the most efficient and effective use is made of the limited funds available for roads."

Mr Buswell also announced today an agreement that would will see six Mid-West shires involved in state road maintenance work for the next five years.

He said the State had reached an agreement with the shires of Coorow, Mingenew, Morawa, Mullewa, Perenjori and Three Springs which would see them share in an average of $1.5million worth of works each year on State roads in the region.

"The agreement, between Main Roads WA and the shires, will assist in sustaining communities in these rural areas broadening the business base of the councils and maximising the use of locally-based resources, skills and knowledge," Mr Buswell said.

"The benefits for Main Roads include having a locally-based workforce with a high level of local knowledge and 'ownership' of the road network.

"The shires will deliver minor road improvements, some routine maintenance and litter collection across more than 640km of State-owned roads."