Main Roads WA has said that 41 contractors in the Wheatbelt region have been transitioned into full-time employment within the Agency.
It said the workers were the first to transition as part of a major initiative to return road maintenance jobs in-house.
The agency said the move will create an estimated 660 permanent jobs within Main Roads, including 490 in regional Western Australia, following detailed analysis undertaken by a consultant.
It said road maintenance contracts have been outsourced by Main Roads since 2000 and under the current arrangement, there are five network maintenance contractors engaged, delivering more than $400 million of maintenance and improvement works throughout the State each year.
Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti said once fully implemented, the initiative would result in savings of more than $25 million a year, producing major economic benefits and increased employment opportunities in the regions.
“Road workers employed directly by Main Roads will receive better pay and conditions, including increased paid leave and long service leave after seven years, as well as additional training opportunities,” Ms Saffioti said.
“The Wheatbelt region is the first in the State to transition to an in-house road maintenance model, and for the communities in this part of our State, it is a big win for jobs and economic prosperity.”
“As part of the transition to in-house road maintenance, we will be investing nearly $50 million over the next six years on new regional staff housing, depots and offices.”
The next region for in-house delivery will be the Mid-West Gascoyne on 7 November, with most other regions transitioning progressively between October 2023 and February 2024 as their network contracts conclude.
The last region will be the Kimberley, which will be brought in-house when the current contract ends in January 2026.
