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City of Melville Critical Of State Budget 2010/11
The City of Melville has described the State budget for 2010/11 as “severely disappointing” due to under-funding of major road works in the City.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Shayne Silcox said there were major oversights in the State budget for 2010/11.
“The Roe Highway extension has been left short in the budget by about $200 million.
This amount is what’s needed to commence construction. In fact, a mere $20 million has been allocated in the budget, which will only pay for the design work,” he said.
“Under existing traffic conditions, the heavy traffic volumes along South Street and Leach Highway generate major safety, noise, truck movements and congestion problems for local residents and businesses. To address these problems, funding for construction of the Roe Highway extension needs to commence - as soon as possible.
“In addition, the Murdoch Activity Centre tunnel (under South Street) has received zero funding. The cost for the tunnel is estimated at $25 million and must be funded before 2014, by which time an extra 6,000 people will use this intersection to reach Fiona Stanley Hospital each day. The tunnel is vital for avoiding congestion at the Kwinana Freeway and South Street intersection in Murdoch.
“Both of these issues are major road works projects which are critically important to the residents of the City of Melville and require a serious State Government funding commitment.”
However, Dr Silcox conceded there was some positive news in the budget.
“Of note is the State Underground Power Program which will double from $19.3 million in 2010/11 to $39.3million in 2011/12. The City of Melville strongly supports a program of underground power for all its residents and this allocation will increase accessibility.
“In addition, there has been a 7.5 per cent increase in Public Transport Authority (PTA) funding, despite the fact that fares have only increased by 2.8 percent. This increase will give the City of Melville greater lobbying power when applying for improvements to transport issues in the City.”