‘SA is getting a border sign, WA is paying for it’: Labor to spend $900,000 welcoming visitors to State

WA taxpayers will spend almost $1 million for the erection and maintenance of a new welcome sign on the State’s border with South Australia — who won’t pay a cent for the new installation. Squirrelled away in last month’s Mid Year Review, the $900,000 from Main Roads will replace the damaged sign after Premier Roger Cook last year flagged wanting some which “really welcomed visitors to our State.” But despite being a marker of the border between two States, WA will foot the entirety of the bill because the artwork will be on our State’s land with an expected installation by the end of this year. It comes after the Government spent more than $70,000 last year repairing the sign, with corrosion leading to WA’s initials falling off the entry statement. “The WA/SA border sign between Eucla in Western Australia and Border Village in South Australia provides an entry statement to WA and is popular with travellers as a photo opportunity,” a WA Government spokesman said. “The original sign is made of steel frame and metal panels. It was funded through a Federal Government tourism grant in the 1990s and has fallen into disrepair over time. “A working group comprising the Shire of Dundas, Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, Tourism WA and Main Roads met in September 2024 to review and recommend whether to repair or replace the WA/SA border sign. “The replacement option was considered the most cost effective solution, with the overall budget including the cost for ongoing maintenance over the sign’s expected 30 year lifespan.” Shadow treasurer Steve Martin said South Australia should be contributing to the cost to replace the entry statement: “SA are getting a border sign, and we’re paying for it. This doesn’t pass the pub test.” During the State Government’s border lockdowns during the COVID pandemic, the structure was a critical checkpoint for both tourists and truck drivers attempting to enter the State. In a social media post last year after the WA initials fell off the sign, Mr Cook described repair works as “temporary”. “The corrosion on the whole structure requires a long-term solution, and to be honest, it’s time we add to this famous signage and put in place something that really welcomes visitors to our State,” he said. “Planning has now begun, stay tuned and watch this space. And let us know your ideas for this entry statement to our great State.”