The Nationals WA: Warr holds Labor to account for failure to invest properly in local roads

Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has condemned the State Government for its failure to deliver fundamental infrastructure to WA, highlighting a lack of investment in roads as an example of the neglect in Geraldton.

Concerns have been raised over the safety on North West Coastal Highway, with creation of the Oakajee Access Road creating unsafe driving conditions.

“The intersection has led to overtaking lanes being unsafe going downhill, leading to dangerous overtaking conditions,” Ms Warr said.

“While the Oakajee site is still years from activation, the slip lane does not match how the road is being used.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen, and we need a safer, more practical solution.”

Ms Warr has written to the Transport Minister to highlight the concerns with the access road.

She said the intersection had led to the removal of a key truck stop in the Mid West.

“Truck drivers need a place to rest and recover, and Geraldton has the resources to provide this but the only south-bound truck stop between Northampton and Dongara has been taken away,” Ms Warr said.

“It’s an integral spot for our trucks to pull over, but this State Government is not doing anything to help our truck drivers.”

Meanwhile, roads within the Geraldton electorate used as key haulage routes to the port have deteriorated, creating unsafe driving conditions for both truck drivers and commuters.

Ms Warr said it was a blatant disregard for safety.

“Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road is a key road for transporting minerals and grain to our port, and the advancements in technology mean more weight is being transported on the road than ever before,” she said.

“This government has failed to invest to ensure these roads are capable of handling the greater level of freight.

“Safety concerns have risen as a result, and the State Government needs to be accountable to ensure roads like these are repaired.”

The Nationals WA at the State election committed $45m towards repairing the road, and promised to secure Commonwealth support to fund the remaining amount.

She said with the State’s death toll on the roads remaining higher than average this decade, more needed to be done.

“181 lives were lost on our roads in 2025, but these numbers don’t do justice the loss for family, friends, and communities these people were a part of,” Ms Warr said.

“We need to ensure we are doing all we can to reduce this road toll in years to come, which includes further investment into our roads.”

Ms Warr pointed to investing in the regions where wealth is generated to contribute to road safety, saying the Minister had failed to do so.

“Royalties for regions was designed to give back to the regions where the State’s wealth comes from, yet the Cook Labor Government insists on using it to balance the budget,” she said.

“Regional communities and businesses that operate within them are asking for this investment, and the Minister needs to make consideration of this.”