NEW ROAD ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network, with approval from the Steering Committee have come up with the below guidelines for any shire who is seeking to add or amend a road to the current network.

The following is the assessment criteria for the new roads to be considered for the network:

  • Each route/road should connect to the Main Roads WA or State network - further information can be found on Main Roads WA
  • Parallel routes/roads should be at least 20 kms apart.
  • Roads and/or routes should not duplicate State roads or routes.
  • The road should be listed on the Roads 2040 list.
  • Shires who are applying to change across the whole route/road within their shire should provide Council resolution in writing.

The following process is recommended:

  1. Determine which road is to be the subject of an application (strongly recommend a conversation with the WSFN PMT at this stage).
  2. Assess the road against the provided criteria.
  3. Provide written feedback addressing each criteria and an explanation as to why the new road has been selected.
  4. WSFN PMT will initially consider any new road against routes (existing or new).
  5. An application which complies with the above process will then be presented to the Technical and Steering Committees for consideration.
  6. It should be noted that any successful new road would not be in line for funding until after the next MCA Review is undertaken.

Each application will be considered on its own merit and dependent on funding availability.

PRESS RELEASE - WSFN FUNDING

The Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network (WSFN) is a jointly funded program between Commonwealth, State and 42 Wheatbelt Local Governments working together to strategically improve the regional road freight safety and efficiency across the key transport routes that support the region’s major industries.

 We are proud to announce that the Hon Catherine King MP has signed and approved the latest round of funding which is now accessible by Shires who have works programmed for 2023/24.

 WSFN Chair, Cr Wayne Gibson said:

 ꞌꞌ The WSFN program will see the upgrade of 4400km of high priority routes across the wheatbelt. Various industries and jobs depend on an efficient supply chain to remain competitive on the world market. A safe and interconnected network across the Wheatbelt is vital.

 The WSFN program will not only improve and better connect regions and ports to assist the agricultural sector but will also improve the safety of all road users in the region – agricultural, mining and tourism among them.

 The Local Government contribution is delivering the upgrades, a realised benefit of significantly upskilling their workforce has been demonstrated.

 The funding provided by Commonwealth and State Governments towards this program is vital to its success, and on behalf of the WSFN and all 42 Local Governments who have collaborated on this program, I express my sincere thanks to them both ꞌꞌ.

PROJECT PROPOSAL (PPR) UPDATE 

WSFN has now received a signed Project Proposal Report by Hon Catherine King MP.

As such, the remainder current WSFN funding of up to $187.5 million is now accessible by the Shires who had works programmed for 2023/2024.

WSFN will be in touch with those Shires with future works for review and completion of associated paperwork before the end of September 2024.

Future funding for programs beyond the current $187.5 million will now be requested from the State and Federal governments to ensure that the needs of the Wheatbelt region is accommodated.

For further information and/or assistance, please contact our office.

WHEATBELT SECONDARY FREIGHT NETWORK

The Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network (WSFN) is a regional strategy to improve road freight safety and efficiency across the key transport routes that support the region’s major industries.

A jointly funded Program between the 42 Wheatbelt local governments and the State and Commonwealth Governments, the collaboration will see 4400km of high priority routes upgraded in a rolling program.