LOCAL road infrastructure and improvements made up the main expenditure in the State Government’s 2017-18 budget for the central and northern suburbs.
The Government came good on a key $60 million election promise to extend Stephenson Avenue between Scarborough Beach Road and the Mitchell Freeway.
The project aims to reduce congestion near Westfield Innaloo Shopping Centre and the Osborne Park industrial and commercial area.
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READ NOWThe funding is conditional to funding from the City of Stirling and the Federal Government to make up the $130 million proposal. The project will roll out over four years.
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Main Roads WA will undertake $3 million works in 2018-19 to improve road access to Lightning Park, which was impacted by the NorthLink WA project.
Osborne Park Hospital will receive a much needed $26 million upgrade allocated in the 2020-2021 forward estimates, with $1.4 million allocated in the current budget for additional parking facilities.
The election promise for the Northlink improvements was originally $3.1 million.
A total of $3 million will be spent over 2017-18 and 2018-19 for upgrades to the intersection of Scarborough Beach Road, Main Street, Brady Street and Green Street, to improve safety for road users and pedestrians.
A $1 million grant will be delivered to the City of Bayswater in 2018-19 towards upgrading the intersection of Walter Road West and Wellington Road in Morley, which will aim to reduce congestion around the Galleria Shopping Centre and Coventry Village.
A grant of $750,000 will be provided to the City of Stirling in 2017-18 towards upgrading the intersection of Erindale Road and Boya Way in Balcatta.
A grant of $100,000 will be provided to the Town of Bassendean in 2017-18 towards road improvements in Bassendean.
Following an election promise, Robinson Reserve in Osborne Park will receive a $1.5 million upgrade.
Morley Recreation Centre will receive a redevelopment worth $2 million, an election promise.
Expenditure on the Scarborough Beach Redevelopment Project will be cut by $8.8 million in 2017-2018.
This reflects a $9.3 million reduction from the cancellation of the previously planned road extensions to the north and south of the Esplanade beachfront area, partially offset by an additional $500,000 for a one-off disruption payment to eligible businesses affected by the foreshore works.
Schools also in for funding windfall
Of the 28 schools across WA to be allocated funding for upgrades, the budget will deliver a $50 million upgrade to Balcatta Senior High School over the next four years with only $3 million delivered to the project in the current budget.
Mt Lawley Senior High School upgrade received $4 million funding this budget, with more included in the forward estimates for the 2019-20 budget.
A total of $67.8 million will be invested from 2017-18 to 2019-20 for the construction of the Inner City College to address student enrollment pressures in the inner city suburbs.
An amount of $53 million, previously allocated for the construction of the planned City Beach College, has been reallocated to the delivery of the Inner City College.
Yokine Primary School and Ballajura will receive a small allocation for minor upgrades to primary schools.
Arts and culture funding
An amount of $7.5 million has been allocated in 2017-18 towards the cost of the redevelopment of the Art Gallery of WA’s (AGWA) rooftop as a cultural and commercial venue.
The AGWA Foundation will secure sufficient private contributions to ensure completion of the project.
An amount of $31 million will be appropriated to the Perth Stadium Account in 2017-18 to fund cost pressures under the design, build, finance and maintenance contract for delivery of the stadium and its surrounding sports precinct.
A further $2.5 million will be provided in 2017-18 to the TomorrowFund to support the ongoing acquisition of contemporary art for the State Art Collection.
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