A new Main Roads office will be established in the heart of Manjimup next year, as part of the State Government's commitment to return road maintenance back in-house to Main Roads.
The Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti visited the site of the new office today, which will see the town's old Department of Education building on Rose Street re-purposed.
The new office - which will accommodate around 20 employees - is being established in preparation for increased road network management responsibilities in the South-West region.
The South-West and Great Southern will transition to in-house road maintenance with Main Roads when existing network contracts expire in late 2023.
Providing a local interface point for customers, the new office will house a new Project Manager, Network Inspection and Operations personnel, Maintenance, Safety and Environmental officers, and Business Support.
The city-centre location is part of a $48.8 million investment being made over the next six years on new regional staff housing, depots, and offices funded from operational savings realised through the transitional change.
Announced in April this year, the State Government's initiative to return road maintenance jobs in-house will create 660 permanent jobs within Main Roads, including 490 in regional Western Australia.
The transition process has already seen 41 workers successfully join Main Roads in the Wheatbelt, while 50 workers have transitioned in the Mid-West and Gascoyne.
Once fully implemented across the State, the initiative will result in savings of more than $25 million a year, producing major economic benefits and increased employment opportunities for regional WA, including increasing gross regional product by up to $335 million over the next 10 years.
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.
The Manjimup office is expected to be operational in March 2023.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This is a really exciting time for the State Government and for Main Roads, with road maintenance being progressively brought in-house across the State.
"Establishing this new office will provide a long-term regional employment opportunity for the South-West, and a new local interface for Main Roads customers.
"This is a big win for jobs and economic prosperity, and it highlights our commitment to regional Western Australia as part of the transition to in-house road maintenance.
"I look forward to welcoming Main Roads' new staff to the office next year."
As stated by Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:
"This a great announcement for our region and will support the creation and retention of local jobs for our community.
"This new office in Manjimup will be among one of the first to be delivered by our government as part of the $48.8 million we are investing over the next six years on new regional staff housing, depots, and offices to support the transition to in-house maintenance."
