Moore MP Shane Love has welcomed upgrades to Indian Ocean Drive announced earlier this month but urged the government to prioritise the Jurien Bay helipad.
The call comes following a tragic accident on Indian Ocean Drive, south of Cervantes on 15 September that claimed two lives.
Mr Love said with no hospital on the coastal tourist drive between Joondalup and Geraldton, the Jurien Bay helipad was desperately needed.
“This helipad was planned for and funding allocated in the last term of government and Labor need to expedite this project,” he added.
Funding of $24 million has been pledged for works on Indian Ocean Drive and Brand Highway over the next 12 months, with works including:
- widening 26 km of Indian Ocean Drive between Coppino Road and Gingin Brook Road and Moore River Bridge and Seabird
- construction of two overtaking lanes and 19km widening works on Brand Hwy between Marri Heights Road and just north of Dandaragan Road
- 3km of pavement repairs on Brand Hwy at several locations
- 19km of reseal works at various locations between Cataby and north of Eneabba
- concrete deck overlay works on the Hill River Bridge north of Badgingarra, Brand Hwy
- improvements to the intersection of Brand Highway and Cockram Road, near Gingin
- final seal and line-marking works to 17km of Indian Ocean Drive between Breakwater Drive and Coppino Rd
- intersection improvements at KW Rd and the addition of a heavy vehicle slow lane on Indian Ocean Drive between KW Rd and Lancelin Rd
The road safety upgrades are funded by the Road Trauma Trust Account, Safer Roads, Royalties for Regions, State Blackspot and Main Roads maintenance funds.
Mr Love said while the upgrades to the southern section of Indian Ocean Drive were welcome, a safety assessment of the northern section of the tourist drive was needed.
