New Chair of the Road Safety Council

Pinjarra Post Office

Road Safety Minister Paul Papalia has welcomed Katie HodsonThomas JP as the newly appointed Chair of the Road Safety Council. After 25 years since it was formed, the Road Safety Council continues to play an important role in reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Western Australian roads. The council is made up of members from key State Government agencies, as well as the WA Local Government Association and RAC. Together, they recommend priority road safety projects and programs to improve the safety of roads across the State and support community outcomes.

Ms Hodson-Thomas is the Director of Corporate and Public Affairs at the Perth-based arm of global consulting firm FTI Consulting, and has extensive experience in public policy development, government relations and stakeholder engagement. As a member of the WA Parliament between 1996 and 2008, Ms HodsonThomas served as a Parliamentary Secretary to the Health Minister, held shadow portfolio responsibilities for transport, tourism, small business, environment and road safety, and was Deputy Chair of the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee.

In addition to her road safety experience in her Parliamentary capacity, Ms Hodson-Thomas took a proactive approach to road safety in her former role as Chief Executive Officer of the Caravan Industry Association WA. She was formerly independent Chair of the WA Fishing Industry Council and is currently a member of the Gaming and Wagering Commission.

Ms Hodson-Thomas' appointment comes as current Chair Iain Cameron has completed the maximum tenure of five years on the council.

Mr Cameron served as Chair of the council from July 2017 and during this time has made a valuable and lasting contribution to road safety in WA. As Chair of the council, Mr Cameron has been a passionate advocate for a safe system approach to road safety and these principles are reflected in the Driving Change Road Safety Strategy that guides WA’s road safety journey over the next decade since it was released. Road Safety Minister Paul Papalia said, “I would like to congratulate Ms Hodson-Thomas on her appointment as Chair of the Road Safety Council.

“The McGowan Government has set an ambitious target to reduce the number of people fatally, severely or seriously injured by 50 to 70 per cent by 2030 and the leadership of the Road Safety Council is key to achieving this.

“Ms Hodson-Thomas's experience in representing the interests of the WA community at a federal and local level gives me every confidence in her ability to lead the council and improve road safety outcomes for the benefit of everyone who uses our roads.

“I would like to thank Iain Cameron for his significant contribution to road safety in WA during his five years on the council.

“Mr Cameron can feel proud that under his leadership, the council has supported a range of programs and projects that save lives on our roads.” P remier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti have together inspected the location of the $250 million Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation - which is set to create thousands of local jobs and divert trucks from the centre of town.

The State Government has allocated $50 million to the project, with the Federal Government committing $200 million.

The project is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs and will deliver a safe, alternate route for heavy vehicles.

Currently 700 trucks pass through Pinjarra every day. The project will divert these heavy vehicles away from the town centre, improving safety and reducing congestion.

The $250 million project will include: • a new road between South Western

Highway (north) and Greenlands Road roundabout; • improvements to the existing Pinjarra-

Williams Road near the Pinjarra Heavy

Haulage Deviation interchange; • grade separation of rail and road crossings; and • new bridges over the Murray River and

Oakley Brook.

Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation to improve safety and create jobs

Currently 700 trucks pass through Pinjarra every day. The project will divert these heavy vehicles away from the town centre, improving safety and reducing congestion

Main Roads is aware of the cultural significance attached to the area around the proposed construction, and will continue to consult with the Aboriginal community, ensuring all heritage approvals are in place before starting work.

Subject to approvals, work on the project is expected to commence in late 2024.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “The Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation has been spoken about for many years, and I'm pleased we've secured $250 million to deliver Stages 1 and 2.

“Almost 700 trucks pass through the Pinjarra town site each day. This new route will remove those trucks from the main street, making it much safer for local road users and travellers.”