Truck registration freeze – But what about WA?

WA’s biggest road project, NorthLink, open, finished and ready for business

The biggest road infrastructure project in WA's history, the $1.02 billion NorthLink WA is now fully open, providing a free-flowing link between Morley and Muchea, doubling road capacity and improving journey times and productivity.

Road users travelling from Kewdale to Muchea can now avoid up to 16 sets of traffic lights, two railway crossings and 21 speed limit changes.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the third and final section of the project - a 22-kilometre dual carriageway highway between Ellenbrook and Muchea - will transform how traffic enters and exits Perth from the state's north. "The opening of the final section means road users, particularly freight, can now realise the full benefits of the 37-kilometre highway," the Prime Minister said. "NorthLink WA has also supported around 7000 direct and indirect jobs for Western Australians throughout its construction."

Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan said the government has a huge pipeline of infrastructure planned for the northeastern suburbs of Perth, including several major road upgrades and the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line, that will help ease congestion and mean less time spent on our roads. "These are vital job-creating projects that will ensure WA is well-placed to respond in the economic recovery stage of the pandemic," Mr McGowan said.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said NorthLink WA was a vital, state-of-theart transport link between Morley and Muchea that would support the north of Perth for generations. "So many areas of Perth will benefit, for example it will divert 80 per cent of heavy vehicles away from local roads and improving connection throughout the Swan Valley for residents and the 600,000 tourists visiting the area each year," Mr Tudge said. "The Morrison Government has

A round trip between the major freight hubs of Kewdale and Muchea will save around 20 minutes prioritised the importance of keeping vital infrastructure projects on track through the COVID-19 crisis."

Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said the new Tonkin Highway will be capable of carrying more than double the current number of vehicles. "A round trip between the major freight hubs of Kewdale and Muchea will save around 20 minutes, which is a great boost to productivity," Ms Saffioti said. "Around 3200 trucks a day will be removed from Great Northern Highway south of Stock Road, which will provide a huge relief to residents, growers, tourism businesses and visitors in the Swan Valley. "NorthLink WA has been a major feat of collaboration across successive governments, having initially been funded in the 2013 Federal Budget as the Swan Valley Bypass, and continued under the current State and Federal governments."

Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said the project would also significantly reduce heavy vehicle traffic on Great Northern Highway through the Swan Valley tourism region, enabling a safer road environment for visitors and local businesses. "One of the many benefits of NorthLink WA's latest section is that it will take trucks and heavy vehicles off Great Northern Highway, reducing congestion and making roads safer along the beautiful Swan Valley," Mr Porter said.

Traffic speeds (outside work zones) are 100 kilometres an hour to Ellenbrook and 110 kilometres an hour between Ellenbrook and Muchea, reducing travel times significantly and improving both safety and the driving experience for motorists.

The NorthLink WA project was jointly funded with the Australian Government providing $820.84 million and the Western Australian Government $204.06 million.

For the magazine’s digital readers footage of the NorthLink WA project can be downloaded at: https://drive.google. com/open?id=17xA3ZssfRiroUlkGsQsGe6lV9vMp4Xy

TRUCK REGISTRATION FREEZE – But what about WA?

Adecision made by Australian

Transport Ministers to freeze truck and bus registration charges at their current levels for the year 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 has come as welcome news for the trucking industry, said CEO of the Australian Trucking Association Ben Maguire.

In November 2019, transport ministers had identified a preference to increase registration charges by 2.5 per cent from 1 July 2020.

Mr Maguire said the freeze

We encourage the West Australian Government to follow suit and give trucking operators the much needed financial relief that those in the east will receive

followed strong lobbying efforts from the ATA and its member associations.

The Western Australian Government is considering its 2020-21 heavy motor vehicle licence fees independently of the ministers’ decision.

“We encourage the West Australian Government to follow suit and give trucking operators the much needed financial relief that those in the east will receive,” Mr Maguire said.

“Trucking business across Australia are all facing the same challenges, and all deserve the same support,” he said.