In a submission to Infrastructure Australia, the WA Local Government Association recommended that addressing this backlog was a necessary part of initiatives to unlock infrastructure bottlenecks. 

The Federal Government advisory council is currently receiving submissions for the investment of the $20 billion Building Australia Fund established in order to boost the economy’s productive capacity.

WALGA President, Cr Bill Mitchell said a commitment of $200 million per year for 10 years is necessary to address the current infrastructure backlog and keep infrastructure sustainable for the future.

“There are many infrastructure projects around the State that often get overlooked,” Cr Mitchell said.

“The Grain Freight network in Western Australia’s wheat growing areas requires a combination of rail maintenance investment in rail branch lines, investment in State and Local Government road networks, and the upgrading of intermodal receival site infrastructure.

“WA’s grain industry provides over 25,000 jobs and contributes an average of $5.5 billion per year to the national economy. To sustain future economic growth and sustainability, projects like these need investment.”

Cr Mitchell also commented on the need to provide appropriate social infrastructure to attract and retain workers to regional areas around the State to support the mining industries that underpin the State’s economy.

“Many major projects, especially in the resources sector, are in remote areas where basic infrastructure such as community facilities are lacking,” Cr Mitchell said.

“The ability to leverage the benefits from economic infrastructure investments requires linked investment in social infrastructure- such as schools, hospitals and recreation facilities to keep workers in the areas of new resource development projects.

“Infrastructure planning requires the coordinated activity of all spheres of government in close cooperation with the private sector. The Local Government sector should be strongly and directly represented in the infrastructure decisions guided by Infrastructure Australia.”

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