LIBERAL Senator Slade Brockman and Guildford-based MLC Anthony Spagnolo have criticised the Cook Labor government after state Budget Estimates hearings confirmed there has been no meaningful progress on the long-promised Lloyd Street Bridge project since construction was halted in 2022.

During Budget Estimates hearings in late June, questioning from Liberal MLCs Tjorn Sibma and Anthony Spagnolo revealed the project remains at the same point it was four years ago.

Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure director general Peter Woronzow confirmed the department has completed a new bridge design, but agreement has still not been reached with all stakeholders.

Mr Spagnolo said the Budget Estimates evidence confirmed the project had been allowed to drift.

“The evidence given by the director general in Budget Estimates confirms what local residents have suspected for some time. Four years after the project was halted, there has been no progress.

“The people of Midland were promised action in 2022. Instead, they’ve seen years of delay, the original project funding redirected elsewhere, and still no clear timeline for the commencement of construction.

“This bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure for one of Perth’s fastest-growing strategic centres. Local families, businesses and commuters deserve certainty and a clear timeline.”

Liberal Senator Slade Brockman said the delays also reflected a failure by local federal Labor member Tania Lawrence to advocate for her electorate.

“The Lloyd Street Bridge has been promised for years, yet the community is still waiting while Tania Lawrence and Steve Catania have failed to deliver the advocacy this project needs.”

Senator Brockman said the delays also reflected Western Australia continuing to miss out on its fair share of commonwealth infrastructure investment.

“Western Australians contribute billions in federal taxes and deserve their fair share of infrastructure funding in return.

“Growing communities like Midland should not be left behind because Labor members are unwilling to stand up for Western Australia.

“Tania Lawrence and Steve Catania need to stop taking Midland for granted and start delivering the infrastructure this community was promised years ago.”

Swan Chamber of Commerce president Mike Matich, a former Liberal candidate for Midland, said the delays were continuing to hold back the local economy.

“Midland is a growing strategic centre, yet businesses and commuters continue to face worsening congestion because this project remains stalled.

“The community has waited long enough. It’s time to stop talking about this project and start building it.”

Midland MLA Steve Catania said the Cook Labor government remained committed to delivering the Lloyd Street Bridge.

“This is why we have been engaging closely with Traditional Owners for some time to work through the concerns raised in their Section 10 application.

“Rather than seeking formal determination of the Section 10, against the wishes of the Traditional Owners and other community representatives, the state government worked with the Traditional Owners to better understand and respond to their concerns.

“A revised bridge design has been recently provided to the Traditional Owners and has been positively received, with Main Roads working with them to finalise this process so the project can proceed.