WALGA worried about local roads

The WA Local Government Association is calling on the state and federal governments to increase their investment in local roads after a new report revealed a $150 million maintenance shortfall.

WALGA believes that shortfall could impact on the safety of local roads.

According to WALGA President Troy Pickard the Report on Local Government Road Assets and Expenditure 2008-09 highlighted a widening gap between funds committed and those required to maintain the 128,000kms of local road network.

"Although Local Governments spent nearly $370 million on maintaining the road network in 2008-09, it was still short of the $520 million required," Mayor Pickard said.

"This annual shortfall of $150.9 million has increased from $93.1 million in 2004-05, despite an increased investment from Local Government.

"The report shows, quite simply, that the money that is being spent isn't enough and we are falling further and further behind - and this has the potential to impact upon all road users.

"We need to address the degradation of the network in order for any safety improvement initiatives to have a maximum impact."

"And we will be calling upon both State and Federal Governments to contribute ongoing and secure funding for the network to ensure it is given the attention that it so obviously requires," he said.

See statement from WALGA below:

Safety on local roads could be at risk with a report released today revealing a shortfall of more than $150 million in maintenance of the State's local road network.

Released at the WA Transport and Roads Forum held in Bunbury today, the Report on Local Government Road Assets and Expenditure, 2008/09 provides information on the funds required to maintain and improve the road network as well as resources committed by Councils, State and Federal Governments.

WA Local Government Association President, Mayor Troy Pickard said the report highlighted a widening gap between funds committed and those required to maintain the 128,000kms of local road network.

"Although Local Governments spent nearly $370m on maintaining the road network in 2008/09, it was still short of the $520m required," Mayor Pickard said.

"This annual shortfall of $150.9m has increased from $93.1m in 2004/05, despite an increased investment from Local Government.

"The report shows, quite simply, that the money that is being spent isn't enough and we are falling further and further behind - and this has the potential to impact upon all road users."

Mayor Pickard said the Local Government sector continued to invest in local road networks, providing 52% of its total road expenditure from its own resources; and that without additional investment, the infrastructure renewal backlog would continue to grow.

"Safer roads and roadsides are proven to have a positive impact in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads," Mayor Pickard said.

"We need to address the degradation of the network in order for any safety improvement initiatives to have a maximum impact."

"And we will be calling upon both State and Federal Governments to contribute ongoing and secure funding for the network to ensure it is given the attention that it so obviously requires."

Local Government manages 128,147 kilometres of local roads which equates to 72% of the WA road network - this includes 941 bridges and 11,000km of footpaths and dual use paths in the road reserve.

As at 30 June 2009, the Local Government road network was estimated to have a replacement value of $18.98 billion.