THE Cities of Gosnells and Armadale have slated funding for new and improved infrastructure as their biggest wishes ahead of Thursday’s State Government budget announcement.
Gosnells mayor Glenn Dewhurst said the two items high on their list of funding priorities were the redevelopment of the Maddington Town Centre and the extension of deep sewer into areas of Kenwick that would allow them to develop that land.
“The City is optimistic that funding will be provided for deep sewer in Kenwick, and for upgrades to Albany Highway and the water mains in Maddington,” he said.
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Armadale mayor Henry Zelones said they were eager for a contribution towards the Armadale city centre activation and expansion, the extension of Tonkin Highway and the Armadale Regional Recreation Reserve, as well as bigger investment in community support services.
“In previous years the City of Armadale has been highly effective on advocating for key transformational projects, with almost $505 million secured to implement projects to support the community and facility future growth of the local economy,” he said.
Both mayors agreed it was important for the State Government to inject some funding into the southeast corridor.
“Government investment in the City of Gosnells is required to facilitate the redevelopment of some of the City’s older suburbs such as Kenwick and Maddington to generate local employment opportunities, improve public transport and achieve the Government’s urban infill targets,” mayor Dewhurst said.
“Additionally, with continuing growth and new residential developments in the southern part of the City, there is greater pressure to provide new and improved infrastructure for its increasing population when compared to local Councils that are already fully developed.”
Mayor Zelones agreed, saying collaboration with all tiers of government was required to ensure their vision for the area was achieved.
“Key investment in infrastructure such as Tonkin Highway and Rowley Road will ensure communities and key employment areas in the south-east and South West Metropolitan Region are connected which is essential for expansion in investment in commercial, residential and industrial estates for Armadale and the broader south-east corridor to occur,” he said.
The State and Federal Government working with Local Government need to take an active leadership role in a better coordinated delivery of infrastructure and services to the south-east Metropolitan Corridor to ensure population growth and employment growth can be achieved in a sustainable manner.”
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