Ring road plan gets $122m Federal cash

While uncertainty still lingers around the exact alignment of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, a $122 million funding boost for the project has been welcomed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week announced the long-awaited project was among a $1.6 billion splurge on infrastructure projects across the State.

With confirmation of the bypass road’s exact alignment imminent and highly anticipated, Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan and Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti welcomed the extra funding.

Mr Brennan said while Bunbury City Council was still waiting on a response from the State Government about its concerns on the northern intersection, he praised Forrest MHR Nola Marino’s support in locking in funding.

“She’s been working hard to make sure that it does go ahead from the Federal Government’s point of view,” Mr Brennan said.

“It’s great partnering between the Federal Government and State Government to make sure that the BORR does get constructed and I’m looking forward to the time when it is completed.”

Ms Saffioti said the funding was welcomed and it would reduce cost pressures on taxpayers.

“A lot of hard work has been done at a State Government level to complete the business case process and brought to the attention of the Commonwealth for funding,” she said.

“It’s a road we have consistently put forward as a priority since taking office two years ago.

“The Federal Government’s commitment shows that our proactive and collaborative approach to transport is securing more funding than ever before.”

A Main Roads spokesman said consultation with landowners and other stakeholders was continuing for the northern and central alignments, while the two possible southern corridors were still being considered.

“Once a decision is made, the selected corridor will be subject to further project development and consultation before referral to State and Commonwealth Environmental Regulators around the middle of the year,” he said.