Western Australia’s peak civil construction industry group says planned major road projects must be brought forward to ensure WA retains the skilled workforce needed for an expected surge of infrastructure construction activity later this decade.
Civil Contractors Federation WA CEO Andy Graham said the recent State Budget included many road projects scheduled to get underway around 2028 (see list below). Construction works on these projects will coincide with a forecast rise in public and private sector construction activity including Westport and Western Trade Coast enabling works (road and rail), Perth Airport runway and redevelopment, Clean Energy Link projects, Defence upgrades at Garden Island and Henderson, and development of Strategic Industrial Areas.
Mr Graham said bringing some road projects forward would help smooth the infrastructure pipeline and ensure WA retained workforce capability.
“We’re optimistic about the long-term pipeline of work but the next couple of years are a concern,” Mr Graham said.
“With the METRONET program wrapping up, more and more civil contractors and subcontractors are geared up and ready for work, but they can see very few new tendering opportunities in the next 18-24 months.
“The State Budget forecasts show Main Roads will spend about a billion dollars per annum statewide on road construction in 2027/28 and 2028/29, which is back to the levels of about ten years ago and a massive drop in real terms.
“It makes sense to bring some road projects forward. Otherwise, we’ll pay the price in skills shortages a few years from now. Civil engineers, supervisors and others will go east where the work is.
“We can’t expect to retain workforce capability if WA is pushing the pause button on new projects while other states are pushing ahead with big infrastructure programs.”
Mr Graham said CCF WA also urged the Federal Government to support any State Government initiative to bring forward road projects.
“Federal funding support will be essential,” he said. “And with WA currently set to receive only 5% of all Federal infrastructure funding from 2027 to 2029, there is undoubtedly plenty of scope for the Federal Government to step up with a fairer deal.”
Road projects that could be brought forward include:
Kwinana Freeway Widening ($700 million). Federal funding (50%) confirmed. New State Budget includes $460M to widen between Roe Highway and Mortimer Road, commencing 2027.
Tonkin Highway and Kelvin Road Grade Separation ($122 million). Funding and delivery timeline on this project not clear as State Budget aggregates Tonkin Highway improvement. Works originally scheduled to commence in 2024.
Great Northern Highway Bindoon Bypass ($275 million). Fully funded since 2019; delivery deferred as part of 2021 pipeline smoothing process. State Budget shows major works funded from 2027/28. May need additional Federal funding.
Canning Bridge Bus Interchange ($200 million). Federal funding confirmed in 2023. State Budget includes $140 million for construction, likely commencing early 2028. May need additional Federal funding.
Reid Highway and Erindale Road Grade Separation ($450 million). Federal funding (50%) recently confirmed. No significant State Budget funding for construction works until 2028/29.
Nicholson Road and Garden Street Grade Separation ($80 million). Was scheduled to commence early 2026 but new State Budget has no significant funding until 2028/29. Likely to need additional Federal funding.
West Swan and Reid Highway Interchange ($175 million). Federal funding (50%) confirmed in 2020. No significant State Budget funding for construction works until 2028/29. Likely to need additional Federal funding.
Roe Hwy/Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges ($368.5 million): Design of interchanges at Roe/GEH Bypass and Abernethy/GEH Bypass is completed, but more Federal funding is needed for construction.
Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation ($250 million). Federal Government withdrew funding support in November 2023. No significant works funding in this Budget cycle.
