ROAD SAFETY — SOUTH WEST REGION
14. Hon COLIN TINCKNELL to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Transport:
WA's
south west region has experienced more deaths in the past five years than any
other region in Western Australia or any other region in Australia, for
that matter. According to the Road Safety Commission, there were 93 deaths on
regional WA roads last year. As at the end of April, there have been 39 deaths
on south west roads this year.
(1) Why is the government spending hundreds of
millions of dollars on unnecessary smart freeways to improve commute
times for Perth residents, while literally dozens of people are dying every
year due to unsafe road conditions in the regional areas?
(2) Does this
government have any plans to improve regional rail networks in order to
alleviate congestion and traffic on roads throughout the south west?
(3) What specifically is the
government doing to improve the safety of roads in the south west?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The state
government is delivering the biggest ever investment in regional road
infrastructure. Currently, nearly $4.5 billion is allocated towards regional
roads projects over the next four years. The McGowan government developed and successfully negotiated a regional road safety
program with the commonwealth government. This unprecedented program of
works will see lifesaving treatments rolled out across more than 7 000
kilometres of regional roads, including nearly 500 kilometres of roads in the
south west region.
(2) Yes. The
McGowan government committed $22 million at the state election towards key
agricultural freight rail projects and today
was successful in negotiating an additional $160 million towards agricultural
supply chain improvements. This investment will move more regional freight onto
rail, improving road safety and efficiency.
(3) Refer to (1) and (2).
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT: Order! Hon Rick Mazza has the call.