The government has committed to a $23.8 billion capital works program over the next four years - an increase on the $18.5 billion spent over the past four years - with a record $8.3 billion to be spent in 2009-10.
Among the investments for next financial year's program are $316 million for the construction of 1,000 new social housing dwellings and $300 million for an additional 14 schools to be built or upgraded.
Other priorities for next financial year include $572 million for health-related infrastructure, including $117 million for forward works for a new children's hospital at QEII Medical Centre, a $263 million investment in two high-efficiency gas turbines at Kwinana Power Station and the extension of the northern suburbs railway to Brighton.
Other infrastructure investments include $654 million for road works, including the Mandurah Entrance Road, linkages to the Bunbury Port, Indian Ocean Drive stage 2, the extension of Reid Highway and the Hopetoun to Bremer Bay road.
In health, the government has committed to the redevelopment of Joondalup Health Campus and new hospitals for Albany and Busselton.
Port infrastructure will receive $377 million for harbour deepening at Fremantle Port and construction of Port Hedland's multi-user Panamax berth.
$619 million has been allocated to the Royalties for Regions program in 2009-10, with key initiatives including $220 million committed to Ord Stage 2.
The government has allocated $1.2 billion for expanding and improving the state's electricity infrastructure, with $1.1 billion being invested in water services, including the commencement of the $955 million Southern Seawater Desalination Plant at Binningup.
A $35 million service and supply base initially to meet the needs of the Gorgon gas project will be built at theAustralian Marine Complex.
The government's capital works audit, which re-assessed each capital project with a pre-tender estimate of $20 million, shaved $3.2 billion off the program.
Projects including the new football stadium, museum, the Perth foreshore development and a number of utilities capital works projects all falling by the wayside.
