WA local government road funding to increase by $21M

Funding is set to increase by $21 million for Western Australia’s local government road networks due to an agreement struck between the WA Local Government Association and the state government.

The WA Government has approved a new five-year State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement which guarantees councils receive 20 per cent of the total state vehicle licence fee collections.

This agreement means the pool of funding shared by local governments will grow from $182.3 million in 2018-19 to an estimated $203.4 million in 2022-23.

Additionally, the state government committed to funding around $260 million of other works on the local government road network between 2018-19 and 2021-22.

Funding will be split into two categories, with 66 per cent of annual funding in direct grants, road project grants, state Black Spot allocations and for strategic and technical support.

The remaining 34 per cent will go towards Main Roads WA managed programs, which includes state initiatives on local roads, bridge works and inspections, and remote Aboriginal access roads.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the agreement is not the only source of state government funding for councils but is a significant part of local government’s ability to plan for and deliver important road services throughout WA.

“The agreement recognises the need for co-operation and co-ordination between the two tiers of government which have an interest in roads. It will ensure that the most efficient, effective and equitable use can be made of the limited funds available for roads and that the best possible outcomes are achieved,” Ms Saffioti said.

“It’s important to note the agreement includes funding to improve access to remote Aboriginal communities. This will help improve social disadvantage brought on by sub-standard road access.

“There is also a strong commitment to providing opportunities for Aboriginal employment as well as facilitating local economic development through local employment,” she said.

Ms Saffioti said the local road asset base in WA is worth more than $25 billion and forms a critical component of the state’s transport network covering 86.5 per cent of all roads in WA.

WALGA President Lynne Craigie said local government welcomes the decision from the state government to enter into the fifth State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement.

“The agreement demonstrates the commitment by both levels of government to managing an effective road network and provides certainty to local governments over the funding arrangements,” Ms Craigie said.