Under the ongoing revision, the previous Labor government’s proposed Subiaco multi-purpose outdoor stadium has been taken off the cards for the next two years; and the Perth foreshore redevelopment has been scaled down and is expected to attract greater private sector investment.The proposed $500 million “world-class” museum at the old East Perth power station has been replaced with plans for a new museum in Northbridge.“With rapidly diminishing state revenue, it’s a matter of getting the priorities right – and essential services such as schools, hospitals and housing is what’s important to the community for today and tomorrow,” WA Premier Colin Barnett said.“Labor’s projects were conceived during the heady boom days of the past and in their current form are simply not a priority in the declining economic environment we find ourselves in today.”The Liberal-National government’s capital works program includes a new children’s hospital to replace Princess Margaret.According to the government, 14 new schools worth around $300 million will be constructed over six years, and the northern rail line to Butler and Brighton will be extended. Other recent commitments include:$55 million to redevelop Kalgoorlie’s regional hospital, and $135 million for the Albany regional hospital;$54.5 million to construct a livestock centre at Muchea;$100 million to regional local governments under royalties for regions;$229.8 million to expand Joondalup hospital; and$150 million to build a prison at Derby. “We have $7.7 billion in capital works underway,” Barnett said.He said around $3.8 billion in commonwealth funding for major infrastructure projects was expected under the Infrastructure Australia program.State projects pegged for IA funding include Northbridge and Perth Airport transport links, further development at Ord River and constructing port facilities at Oakajee.Additionally, the state government has fast-tracked the construction of more than 1000 new houses in Perth and regional WA worth around $316 million.WA Treasurer Troy Buswell said the construction of 1000 new houses had been funded from future budget provisions, saying it was necessary to prop up the slipping economy now, not later.“We want to ensure that we keep the state moving through a robust capital works program that creates jobs by identifying projects that are either approved or budgeted for that we can accelerate,” Buswell said.He said the exact timing and final costs of the capital works program were yet to be finalised.
