With the 2019-20 state budget to be handed down later today, $32.1 million will be committed over the next two years to construct a multi-storey car park at the Mandurah Train Station.
West Australian treasurer Ben Wyatt will present his budget papers on Thursday afternoon, with various stakeholders across the Peel region hoping for a financial windfall to be delivered over the next 12 months.
WA Planning Minister Rita Saffioti told the Mandurah Mail planning and project definition will commence in 2019-20 at the cost of $2.6 million, with $29.4 million to be expended in 2020-21.
"We're proud to have full funding for the Mandurah multi-storey carpark in this year's budget," she said.
"This was the result of hard work in firstly getting federal labor to commit to matching our funding and further pressure resulting in both parties committing.
"This gives us the certainty to proceed with detailed planning for the multi-storey car park, which will then give us a clearer idea of when construction can start.
"It is very important to provide more bays for a car park that is under strain."
Murray-Wellington MP Robyn Clarke said her main wish for the budget was that it "continues to fund job-creating initiatives within the electorate."
"The Peel Business Park, Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area and the recently announced Bushfire Centre of Excellence all have the ability to transform the region, create a wide range of local jobs, and add diversity into the area," she said.
Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup called on the government to invest further in the Peel Health Campus and other Mandurah projects.
"Priority one for the state government must be an investment in the Peel Health Campus and in particular our emergency department," he said.
"The community is sick and tired of the state government tinkering at the edges while waiting times blow out.
"A failure to invest significantly in Peel Health Campus can be seen as nothing other than a total disregard by Labor for our community and our health needs."
Mr Kirkup also identified increasing traffic congestion and pedestrian crossings along Old Coast Road as an issue.
The Dawesville MP said local school budgets and more funding for Mandurah Police would also be on his wishlist.
For more coverage of the 2019-20 state budget, visit www.mandurahmail.com.au or read next week's newspaper.
Gareth McKnight
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
