Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region will soon experience better freight movement as works commence to upgrade the Mogumber-Yarawindah road, which also launches the $87.5 million Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network road upgrade program.
“These upgrades will better connect businesses to domestic and international markets via Western Australia’s key ports, improving freight productivity and offering greater opportunities for business growth in the Wheatbelt region.
“They are part of the Australia Government’s $4.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance initiative - a 10-year investment into the nation’s key freight roads,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
According to Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti, the State Government has invested record funding to fix regional roads and has identified a schedule of priority road projects in the Wheatbelt region.
“These upgrades will complement our work on the draft Revitalising Agricultural Region Freight Strategy.
“The McGowan Government has also worked closely with regional local governments to develop the program of Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network’s investment priorities,” Minister Saffioti said.
The Wheatbelt Secondary Road Network will comprise of approximately 4,400 kilometres of roads and the road upgrade program has identified about 53 strategic freight routes that need fixing.
“Most of the roads that large freight are permitted to use in the region are narrow, unsealed and unsuited for large volumes of heavy vehicle traffic, so the start of works on the Mogumber-Yarawindah road couldn’t be timelier.
“The projects will support local industries and the regional and remote communities located along the network, ensuring they have reliable access to essential services including healthcare and education,” Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said.
The upgrades to the Mogumber-Yarawindah road will include widening 3.16 kilometres of road as well as extending drainage culverts to make it safer for freight vehicle operators.
“Today’s launch is the culmination of years of hard work and commitment from a number of volunteers and groups. On behalf of the Wheatbelt Shires, residents and businesses I express our thanks and appreciation,” Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network group chairman Rick Storer said.
The Wheatbelt group includes the Wheatbelt North Regional Road Group, Wheatbelt South Regional Road Group, Regional Development Australia (DRA) Wheatbelt Inc, WA Local Government Association, Main Roads WA - Wheatbelt Region and the Wheatbelt Development Commission.
The Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network program is jointly funded by the Australian Government - through the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative - as well as the Western Australian Government and local governments.
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Source: Government of Western Australia; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Prime Mover Magazine