❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the transition of Main Roads WA maintenance services, inquiring about new roles, costs, effectiveness measurement, and savings. The government's response highlights job creation, regional benefits, and estimated savings, framing the initiative as a success.
AnsweredQoN 179Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the transition of in-house maintenance services at Main Roads Western Australia (Main Roads WA), and I ask: (a) how many new roles have been created in-house, as part of the initiative, in the following Main Roads WA offices: (i) Goldfields-Esperance Region; (ii) Great Southern Region; (iii) Kimberley Region; (iv) Metropolitan Region; (v) Mid-West Gascoyne Region; (vi) Pilbara Region; (vii) South-West Region; and (viii) Wheatbelt Region; (b) in reference to each location in (a), what is the annual cost of these additional roles, per location; (c) how is Main Roads WA measuring the effectiveness of the changes in terms of the benefit to the community; (d) what is the result of (c); (e) how much taxpayer's money has been, or is expected to be, saved as a result of the changes; and (f) in reference to (e), how is this calculated?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport
Response time
7 days
(a)-(f) In 2022, the WA Labor Government took decisive action to bring Main Roads’ road maintenance back in-house, cleaning up the mess of the Liberals and Nationals’ privatisation addiction.
As a result, WA Labor has created 557 new roles across Western Australia – the majority of which are in regional WA.
Bringing road maintenance back in-house has led to:
· better pay and conditions for workers;
· increased job opportunities and economic growth in the regions;
· enhanced Aboriginal employment and engagement outcomes;
· improved education uptake; and
· increased capacity and capability of Main Roads.
Even with all of these improvements, the Government estimates to save of more than $25 million a year, and to increase gross regional product by up to $335 million over the next 10 years.
As a result, WA Labor has created 557 new roles across Western Australia – the majority of which are in regional WA.
Bringing road maintenance back in-house has led to:
· better pay and conditions for workers;
· increased job opportunities and economic growth in the regions;
· enhanced Aboriginal employment and engagement outcomes;
· improved education uptake; and
· increased capacity and capability of Main Roads.
Even with all of these improvements, the Government estimates to save of more than $25 million a year, and to increase gross regional product by up to $335 million over the next 10 years.
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