Crook pushes for Kalgoorlie transport hub
Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 25-February-2010
The Nationals’ candidate for the Federal seat of O'Connor, Tony Crook has welcomed further debate on proposals for a transport hub in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area and called for Federal investment for its development.
Tony Crook has been a long time advocate for creating a major transport hub in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and has welcomed this week’s announcement from the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission supporting the need for better transport links between the Goldfields, Mid West and Pilbara.
“The Federal Government has an opportunity to make a real difference for regional WA by investing in a strategic transport hub,” Tony Crook said.
“A transport hub in Kalgoorlie would significantly improve efficiency in East / West freight logistics by creating links to other regional areas, such as Esperance, Albany, the Mid West and Pilbara.
“It makes sense to move the railway line out of the centre of town, develop a transport hub and keep traffic away from urban areas,” he said.
“This would reduce the need for freight to travel in and out of Perth and would create significant opportunities for the Kalgoorlie area, through greater investment in the region, increased economic development and most importantly more jobs.”
Mr Crook said he would fight for WA’s fair share of infrastructure funding if elected to represent the region in Canberra.
“For too long regional WA has been under-represented, we have missed out on infrastructure funding that could contribute to key projects, such as the transport hub, here in regional WA.”
“We generate much of Australia’s wealth, but we see very little returned to regional WA through infrastructure or services.
“The Nationals have given regional WA a voice in the State Parliament and Royalties for Regions has allowed regional and remote communities to share in the riches that they produce – now we need a strong voice in the Federal Parliament,” Mr Crook said.
