Plan for the Great Southern unveiled

Work on $175m Albany Ring Road to begin in September

Construction of the $175 million Albany Ring Road will begin in September, unlocking hundreds of local jobs, after Western Australian company Decmil Southern Pty Ltd was named preferred proponent to deliver the project.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said, "The Australian Government has contributed $140 million to this project, which will improve safety for everyone travelling through the region, including tourists and freight drivers." "Scheduled to be completed in 2023, this project will improve connections between major freight infrastructure including airports and commercial and industrial areas, creating more economic opportunities for this crucial region. "The completed Albany Ring Road will link the existing major roads and highways radiating from Albany. "It will bypass urban areas and provide unimpeded road access to the Port of Albany, underpinning its future economic viability. "The first phase of the connection to get underway will be the new interchange at Albany Highway and Menang Drive, as well as construction of the section of the Ring Road south to Lancaster Road. "Detailed designs for the second phase of the project, from Lancaster Road to Princess Royal Drive, will also take place over the next 12 months, enabling construction to begin subject to environmental approvals being received.

Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "The Albany Ring Road project is expected to support more than 1,000 jobs during the life of the project, with a Local Industry Participation Plan tailored to give local businesses opportunities to get involved in the project, generating employment and building their skill base.

Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson said the project will deliver significant safety benefits. "This project will include gradeseparated (bridged) interchanges at the intersections of Albany Highway and Menang Drive; Albany Ring Road and South Coast Highway; Albany Ring Road, Hanrahan Road and Frenchman Bay Road; and Frenchman Bay Road and the freight railway line," Mr Wilson said. "By reducing the number of heavy vehicles on Albany Highway, South Coast Highway and Chester Pass Road, the project will relieve congestion for the freight industry and enhance safety outcomes for local and tourist traffic."

The Australian Government is providing $140 million towards this $175 million project, with the Western Australian Government contributing $35 million.

Share the road tips for Travelling caravaners

These are the latest video tips and advice that every caravan or RV driver should watch before hitting the road this winter.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the videos, funded under the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, again highlighted the importance of safe interaction between heavy vehicles and caravan or RV drivers.

“There are a large number of caravans and RV users returning to regional roads across many parts of Australia,” Mr Buchholz said.

“Caravaners and truckies spend a lot of time on our highways, so it’s timely to remind all road users to look after each other and stay safe.”

The Whiteline Television videos are fronted by well-known truckie and safety advocate Rod Hannifey and entertainer Amelia Ryan. They cover topics such as sharing truck stops and roadhouses or overtaking on a highway.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the latest videos continue the work the NHVR had undertaken with the caravan industry over the past year.

“I’m calling on any truck driver who knows someone with a caravan to ‘Tell a mate’ to watch these videos. To view the Share the Road videos visit sharetheroad.net.au • Caravaners and truckies sharing the road – https://bit.ly/3j6va6s • Caravaners and truckies sharing facilities – https://bit.ly/38XmvyF

Plan for the Great Southern unveiled

The state government has unveiled a $57.7 million package for the Great Southern region as part of the WA Recovery Plan. As part of the McGowan Government's $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs package, the plan includes upgrades to TAFE infrastructure in the region, including: • $17 million to South Regional TAFE's Albany campus for a new trade workshop, delivering training in the automotive, engineering and construction industries; • $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with a variety of free courses available at South Regional TAFE's Albany,

Denmark, Katanning and Mount Barker campuses; • $32 million across WA to expand the Lower fees, local skills program and significantly reduce TAFE fees across 39 high priority courses; and • $4.8 million across WA for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive that provides employers with a one-off payment of $6,000 for hiring an apprentice and $3,000 for hiring a trainee, whose training contract was terminated on, or after, March 1, 2020 due to the economic downturn.

The McGowan Government's revamped Buy Local policy will ensure local businesses are in the box seat to carry out this work. It includes: • $14 million through the Regional Road Safety Program to upgrade 155 kilometres of Great Southern roads with shoulder sealing and installation of audible lines, creating around 80 local jobs; • fast-tracking construction of the Albany Ring Road - construction to commence in September, two months early;

The Great Southern region will also benefit from a range of State-wide programs included in the WA Recovery Plan. For more information, visit inthistogether.wa.gov.au