Government funding fast-track for local roads

Works to Yoongarillup Road East, Wonnerup South Road, and the Capel-Tutunup Road are due to finish within two years, bolstered by Federal Government funding.

Aided by Forrest MHR Nola Marino, the City of Busselton successfully applied to the Federal Government to accelerate receipt of $3.7 million through Roads to Recovery 2019-2024 — committed to late last year.

Initially, $740,000 was to be delivered over five years but the funding will now be delivered in two.

Mayor Grant Henley welcomed the Government’s flexible approach, noting the roads no longer conformed to current standards.

“The condition of country roads extending across the municipality remains top priority for City council,” he said.

“The City of Busselton has over 70km of narrow sealed roads which are the legacy of road-building programs in the 1960s.” The City has invested $5 million in the program, which includes an annual contribution from the Federal Government through Roads to Recovery funding.

Mrs Marino said it was fantastic to see this money being used by the City of Busselton.

“The funding provides the City with the ability to invest in upgrading local roads, thereby helping to improve safety and efficiency levels for all users of the network, and economic growth in their communities,” she said.

The City of Busselton has already widened and upgraded Puzey Road, Tom Cullity Road, Miamup Road and Yelverton Roadm while work is also being carried out to improve Yoongarillup Road.

Once these roads have been completed, the City will focus on upgrading Don Road, Boallia Road, Hairpin Road, Wildberry Road and Kaloorup Road.

That work has an expected completion period of between two and seven years.