The state government has flagged a record investment in infrastructure projects spread over the next four years.
The state government has flagged a record $39 billion investment in infrastructure projects including hospitals, schools, Metronet, roads and decarbonisation initiatives spread over the next four years.
The investment was detailed in the state budget released today and highlighted an increase in the implementation of planned projects, in particular those under the Metronet banner and the commencement of construction of the new Women and Babies Hospital at Murdoch.
The new hospital project next to Fiona Stanley Hospital will attract investment of $544 million over the next four years, allowing construction to begin in 2024 on what’s been described as a modern, leading edge maternity hospital.
The multi-year project is expected to cost $1.8 billion overall, according to earlier government releases. A completion date for the project is yet to be announced.
As announced this morning, the government has also committed $2.8 billion to four green energy projects including a significant $2.3 billion investment in major battery infrastructure at Collie and Kwinana.
Perth’s third desalination plant announced last year has also been allocated funding, to be built at Alkimos and powered with renewable energy. The budget allocates $65.3 million to the beginning of works on the project.
Transport will receive $13.6 billion worth of investment on transport infrastructure, including $5.9 billion toward the much publicised Metronet program in what's been labelled “a year of delivery” for the rail system.
The Yanchep rail extension, the first platforms at the Bayswater station and a Lakelands station on the Mandurah line are expected to be completed by the end of this year. The Morley-Ellenbrook line is expected by the end of 2024, as are additional platforms and a bridge at Bayswater.
Around $6.5 billion will be invested in the state’s road network, with $5.3 billion of that to be spent regionally. Local manufacturing will get a boost through funding for locally built C-series trains and a fleet of new electric buses announced pre-budget.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti acknowledged the impact of cost pressures on infrastructure projects but said the budget was putting in place mechanisms to help support industry to deliver projects.
“Despite these impacts, we've worked closely with the Federal Government to ensure we get these critical projects delivered,” she said.
“Whilst we are seeing those costs increase, we continue to deliver our projects at a fraction of the cost of similar projects on the east coast.”
A series of new workforce measures were announced to support the construction sector in the budget, including funding to increase the base employer grant for third- and fourth-year apprentices and $11 million to subsidise visas for up to 1,100 skilled migrants entering the sector.
