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$1B TO REBUILD NSW INFRASTRUCTURE FOLLOWING BUSHFIRES
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have announced $1 billion over the next two years to rebuild bushfire-impacted communities across NSW.
The funding will prioritise the repair and rebuilding of vital infrastructure including roads, rail lines, bridges, schools, health facilities and communications facilities.
“The bushfire season is far from over but we know how important it is for communities to start the recovery process where possible,” Ms. Berejiklian said.
The NSW and Federal Governments also announced $33 million will be immediately distributed to councils across the state which have been severely impacted by bushfires. Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock has guaranteed that the state government will distribute funds to councils within one business day following it clearing the state’s bank account.
“We will not delay in distributing these funds to councils most in need,” Ms. Hancock said.
Each council will receive $1 million and a further $18 million will be distributed at
Funding will prioritise the repair and rebuild of vital infrastructure.
the discretion of the new National Bushfire Recovery Agency.
“This funding is essential and will allow councils to start the reconstruction of local infrastructure, including roads, bridges and community facilities,” Ms. Hancock said.
“Councils will also be able to use these funds to employ additional local staff to help coordinate and expedite the building effort.”
Ms. Berejiklian said following initial discussions with the Federal Government, it has been confirmed that the Federal Government contribution will focus on direct payments to individuals, small business and local councils.
“The NSW Government’s focus will be to rebuild and where appropriate, improve the infrastructure,” Ms. Berejiklian said. The $1 billion funding will help to ensure recovery work can commence promptly. This announcement is on top of the NSW Government’s disaster assistance funding for this bushfire season of up to $231 million already committed.
This includes: • $166 million to fight fires on top of the record 2019-20 RFS Budget • $25 million to facilitate the clean-up of both insured and uninsured homes damaged or destroyed by the fires • $23 million for grants of up to $15,000 for primary producers and small businesses to assist with clean-up and the replacement of infrastructure • $6 million for additional mental health services for individuals, community groups and emergency services personnel • $11 million to fund the Economic
Recovery and Community Resilience Grants Program.
CONTRACTOR CLOSE TO COMPLETING $1.02B NORTHLINK WA
NorthLink WA’s third and final section from Ellenbrook to Muchea is progressing towards completion.
CPB Contractors and Main Roads WA are now completing the finishing components of Western Australia’s biggest-ever road initiative.
The final section is set to open in early February 2020.
To accomodate works on local roads at the Neaves Road Connection and the construction of the Principal Shared Path, the opening date has been moved from the end of 2019 to the February.
CPB Contractors is also working to finalise livestock fencing, traffic barriers and lighting to ensure the new highway is as safe as possible upon opening.
The northern and final section includes a dual carriageway between Maralla Road and Muchea, interchanges at Stock Road, Neaves Road and Brand Highway, a deviation at Brand Highway and flyovers at Muchea South Road and the railway at Ellenbrook.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the delivery of the $1.02 billion NorthLink WA initiative is the result of years of cooperative work.
The well-known project is the result of an $820 million contribution from the Federal Government and $204 million from the WA Government.
WA Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said a massive amount of work has gone into NorthLink WA since it started and many Western Australians will benefit from this new addition to the road network.
Road Maintenance
ROAD MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN SEALING CRACKS AND FIXING ROADS ACROSS AUSTRALIA FOR OVER 40 YEARS. ITS FOCUS ON RESEARCHING AND PERFECTING WAYS TO KEEP CRACKS FROM LEADING TO TOTAL FAILED AREAS HAS HELPED SAVE COUNCILS AND ROAD OWNERS THOUSANDS. THE COMPANY IS ALSO SET ON FINDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR WASTE TYRES TO KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL.
SIX LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL CONTRACTS AWARDED TOTALLING NEARLY $1B
The Level Crossing Removal Authority awarded six level crossing removal contracts in January. This brings the total number of level crossing removals under contract to 50, with 30 already removed and 20 in construction or planning. The $744 million contract for work at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach has been awarded to an alliance of Lendlease, Acciona Coleman Rail, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne, with work to start in 2020.
The contract will see sections of the Frankston Line lowered, removing five crossings at Edithvale Road in Edithvale, Station Street in Bonbeach, and Argyle Avenue, Chelsea Road and Swanpool Avenue in Chelsea. New, safe, accessible stations will be built at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach, and will reflect the coastal look and feel of the area. This comes after feedback from community consultation on station design. In the south east, an alliance of Fulton Hogan and Metro Trains Melbourne was awarded the $166 million contract to remove the Clyde Road level crossing in Berwick. This will see the road lowered under the Pakenham Line to reduce congestion for the 22,000 drivers using the crossing daily.
These contract awards have kept the Level Crossing Removal Project on track for its goal of removing 75 level crossings by 2025.
The Level Crossing Removal Project is on track for its goal to remove 75 by 2025.
CONSORTIUM BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF $237M BRIDGE ON KWINANA FREEWAY
The construction of a new bridge over the Kwinana Freeway at one of Perth’s most congested areas is now underway. The $237 million Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge, jointly funded by the federal and Western Australian governments, is being delivered by the Armadale Access Alliance.
The alliance comprises Laing O’Rourke and BG&E in partnership with Main Roads WA. The project will involve a bridge constructed to connect the recently upgraded Armadale Road with North Lake Road and is expected to be complete in 2021. Around 55,000 vehicles use the existing Armadale Road to Beeliar Drive Bridge daily. The new North Lake Road bridge will aim to relieve pressure on traffic while improving access to the freeway and train station carpark. In addition, the project includes an upgrade to Armadale Road from Tapper Road to Kwinana Freeway, with a new bridge passing over the Tapper intersection, and under the intersection of Solomon Road via a trench structure. Local roads will also be reconfigured with two new roundabouts to maintain connectivity. For users of public transport, the project will aim to improve access to and from Cockburn Central Train Station by alleviating heavy congestion around the station car park during peak times. Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said the Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge project complemented nearby road projects. “The Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge project will tackle long wait times at one of the state’s busiest intersections, rated the fifth most congested intersection in 2016,” Ms. Saffioti said.
“The Armadale Road-North Lake Road Bridge will work hand in hand with our other southern suburb road projects and will provide better access to Cockburn Station when it becomes a junction for the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link.”
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS USED ON $354M REGENCY TO PYM STREET PROJECT
South Australia is using 100 per cent recyclable materials to seal parts of its $354 million Regency to Pym Street project. Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said over 110,000 plastic bags, 324 kilograms of recycled canola oil, 2500
The project will also support a trial of plastic into the asphalt mix on a section of road pavement.
printer cartridges and 207 tonnes of recycled asphalt were used to seal the project’s construction office car park.
“The Regency to Pym Project is a $354 million piece of the North-South Corridor puzzle that will create hundreds of jobs
per year and will mean motorists will not have to stop at a single traffic light between the River Torrens and Gawler,”Mr. Knoll said.
“The project will also be supporting a trial of plastic to the asphalt mix on a section of road pavement and will be exploring further opportunities to use recyclable materials on other aspects of the works.”
According to Mr. Knoll, the project saved 9.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide by using recycled materials, which is equal to taking nine cars off the road.
Environment Minister David Speirs said South Australia would continue to lead the nation in sustainable waste management.
“South Australia has been a nation leader in waste management, pioneering container deposit legislation, banning plastic bags and being the first mover as we look to remove single-use plastics.”
He added the state government was leading by example, exploring innovative ways to reduce its footprint.
CONTRACT SIGNED WITH NEWEST ALLIANCE FOR $716M THORNLIE-COCKBURN LINK
The contract with the NEWest Alliance has now been signed to build 32 kilometres of additional rail to Perth’s network. The Public Transport Authority will work with the preferred alliance of CPB Contractors and Downer to deliver the Yanchep Rail Extension and ThornlieCockburn Link projects under a bundled contract arrangement.
The whole project is expected to create 3000 jobs, with the final cost confirmed at $716 million. The Western Australian Government has contributed $366 million and the Federal Government will contribute $350 million.
The revised cost reflects the complexity of relocating third party infrastructure, ensuring the jobs created are competitively paid, minimising network disruption and meeting environmental requirements. Savings from the Railcar project are expected to offset the revised cost. Major construction is
Major construction is expected to be complete in 2022 with trains running from 2023.
expected to be completed in 2022 and train services will operate in 2023.
Main Roads WA is now working to widen and lengthen the Karel Avenue Bridge. This will make room for the additional rail lines. Works on the Kwinana Freeway widening project are underway and these will integrate with the works on the Mandurah Line.
The 17.5-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn
Concept image for Ranford Road Station by METRONET
Link will be the first time two rail lines are connected in Perth. It will include two new stations at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road to better service Perth’s southern suburbs.
The 14.5-kilometre Yanchep Rail Extension will have three new stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep to offer those living or working in Perth’s growing northern suburbs with an alternative travel choice.
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