With the 2025/26 State budget announced last week, in what the government has said to be a focus on the cost-of-living crisis to deliver on election commitments, the Southeast suburbs of Perth have been largely forgotten.
With train lines throughout Armadale and Serpentine Jarrahdale still out of operation until the end of the year, the reduced public transport fees are likely to be ineffective for commuters in these areas without the public transport available.
The Metronet upgrades for the Byford station has been allocated more than $170.2 million for the 2025-26 financial year to complete the works.
In addition, within the SJ Shire, money has also been allocated to construct roundabouts at the intersections of Kargotich Road with Abernethy Road, Orton Road and Gossage Road.
A budget allocation of $17.1 million has been contributed to the additional road works which are to be expected during the 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29 financial years.
The shire is expected to manage the delivery of the roundabout projects with their own timing and budget, but the State Government money will be capped at $5.7 million each year of the project.
Transport minister Rita Saffioti said ensuring transport has sufficient government investment was a priority.
“We took a transport plan to the people of Western Australia, and we’re wasting no time in delivering,” she said.
“The investment in this State Budget delivers on our commitments and our plan to make public transport more affordable, bust congestion hot spots on our road network and transition local manufacturing of buses to fully electric.
“We understand that investing in our transport network is also a major creator of local jobs, and supports business, which is why we will continue to invest in infrastructure across our State.”
To launch the election commitment of a new Driver and Vehicle Services Centre in the Armadale and Byford areas, $4 million has been allocated to the government owned centre in the budget.
Also in Serpentine, a new walking and cycling path taking residents from Serpentine town centre to the Serpentine National Park has been allocated $1.5 million in the State budget.
This funding will support the shire’s aspirations to become an established Trails Town.
As part of an effort to boost the Armadale area, $13.5 million has been allocated in the budget to create a satellite court of the Children’s Court and include a Therapeutic Court at the Armadale Courthouse.
This budget allocation reflected an election commitment made earlier this year as part of the juvenile justice package commitment.
However, as the State budget has predicted a surplus of $2.5 billion, the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) said money could have been better allocated to other key issues.
WALGA president Karen Chappel said she was “disappointed” some of the policies the organisation had advocated for were missed in the State budget.
“WALGA acknowledges the State Government’s commitment of $250 million to its Regional Road Safety Program, with this critical funding to go directly to Local Government roads,” she said.
“This funding will deliver proven safety treatments such as road widening, sealed shoulders, and audible edge and centre lines on Local Government roads.
“Today’s State Budget contains important measures responding to WALGA’s advocacy, and we will continue to work with the State Government to prioritise investment in areas identified as missed opportunities.”
The State budget is handed down annually before the end of financial year in June.
