House debates

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Statements by Members

Swan Electorate: Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Swan Electorate: Australia Day

1:53 pm

Photo of Steve IronsSteve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

On 22 May 2020, the Morrison government announced the $500 million Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. In the 2021 budget, the Morrison government announced a $1 billion extension of the program, following strong community and local government support. This program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councils were able to access the extension funding from 1 January 2021. The City of South Perth, in my electorate of Swan, used some of their grant towards the Thelma Street bicycle infrastructure project. Works will include construction of a new red asphalt bicycle path connecting the existing path and the Thelma and Throssel streets intersection. The works will also include minor car park improvements and a structural wall, which is required to accommodate the bicycle path. This project is a priority as it is a strategic bicycle route for the City of South Perth because it creates a direct link from Kwinana Freeway to Curtin University. This is another fine example of how the Morrison government is supporting local communities throughout Australia.

I'd also like to congratulate the City of South Perth on their Australia Day event. I shared the stage with the WA Governor, Kim Beazley, the former member for Swan, as we welcomed 165 new citizens to Australia.