Opposition Leader Paul Omodei has called on the Labor Government to fast-track the completion of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes.
Mr Omodei, who will meet Shire of Dandaragan representatives in Jurien Bay today, said the road was of significant strategic value to the central coast region of Western Australia, creating a major tourist link between Perth and Geraldton.
He said with the high-taxing Labor Government set for a record surplus this year, there was no doubt the Government could afford to bring forward the $60 million project.
"Indian Ocean Drive will be a major tourist asset which would bring about significant investment to the region," Mr Omodei said.
"The project would also improve road safety for people travelling between Perth and Geraldton.
"At the moment, tourist buses and passenger vehicles are forced to use the Brand Highway to travel to Geraldton - a route used by heavy haulage trucks, including double road trains."
Prior to the 2001 election, Labor promised to complete the 60km stretch of road by March 2003 - as committed by the Court Government.
In 2002, Labor broke this promise and pushed the completion back to the end of 2005.
Labor pushed the project back even further during the 2005 election campaign, announcing that construction would start in 2007 and be completed in two stages over four years.
"There is no excuse for Labor to continue to put this important regional project on the backburner," Mr Omodei said.
Mr Omodei said the Liberal Party would ask Premier Alan Carpenter to fast-track the final stage of Indian Ocean Drive at the regional sitting of Parliament in Geraldton this week.
