The State Government has shown commitment to delivering its plan for the South-West region, with funding in the State Budget to help create jobs and support the economy, while delivering on community infrastructure and services.
The 2019-20 State Budget includes $4.2 billion in Royalties for Regions funding across regional WA and more than $5.6 billion will be invested in regional infrastructure over the next four years.
WA's first budget surplus in five years was delivered two years ahead of schedule and allowed the government to deliver the lowest increase to household fees and charges in 13 years.
Premier Mark McGowan said the government was continuing its strong investment in the South-West to create jobs and provide local families with the services they need.
"The budget includes significant funding for the South-West, that will see a redevelopment of the Bunbury Hospital, and $42.5 million in additional funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan," he said.
"Since coming to Government in 2017, we have worked hard to bring the budget back under control while delivering important improvements to vital services like health and education across regional WA.
"We will continue to implement our plans for the South-West to support job creation, grow the local economy and support families in the region."
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the government was committed to driving economic diversification and local job opportunities in the regions, and the budget helps to deliver the important projects and services the South-West region needs.
"Upgrades at the Port of Bunbury will help to drive increased exports and meet future trade demand, supporting jobs growth right across the region," she said.
"Funding for the Collie Adventure Trails initiative, DFES multipurpose facility in Collie and the Collie Futures Fund will help us to smooth the transition for the town and drive the best outcomes for the local community."
The Budget includes funding for important, job-creating infrastructure and programs in the South-West, including:
- $11 million for the ongoing redevelopment of Bunbury Hospital;
- $852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road;
- $8.9 million to upgrade capacity at Port of Bunbury Berth 8;
- $671,000 for the Withers Urban Renewal Project, including toilet and changing facilities at Des Ugle Park, and a new road from Minninup Road to Jacaranda Crescent;
- $60.1 million for the Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund, including
- $10 million for the Collie Adventure Trails initiative and $8 million for a new DFES multipurpose bushfire facility in Collie;
- $12 million State-wide injection to Tourism Western Australia to expand promotion of WA overseas;
- $131.5 million of additional State-wide expenditure to support agriculture in WA, grow export markets and create long-term jobs including $39.6 million for the Boosting Biosecurity Defences, Asian Market Success and Grains Research and Development support programs (in addition to $45 million for Grains Research and Development in the 2018-19 Budget);
- $182.4 million of State-wide funding for a new Employer Incentive Scheme and training delivery, including $45 million for regional WA. The scheme will help WA employers with the costs of employing apprentices and trainees; and
- $24.1 million in ongoing State-wide funding for the 'WA Open for Business' program to promote export opportunities for regional businesses.
The McGowan Government is committed to delivering community services to people across regional WA, including in the South-West region. The Budget includes:
- $42.5 million in additional State-wide funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan, including $400,000 to expand the Bunbury Needle Syringe Exchange Program;
- $6.9 million to pilot 'ServiceWA' as a face-to-face and online service delivery to improve access to government transactional services, with the pilot site to be created in Bunbury;
- $1.6 million for the Revitalising Geographe Waterways Program;
- $4.6 million for Ngari Capes Marine Park;
- $500,000 for restoration works at the Our Lady of Lourdes church precinct in Dardanup;
- $5.5 million a year for the Enhanced Prescribed Burning program;
- $2.3 million package to combat elder abuse, including continued funding for the WA Elder Abuse Helpline;
- $11.3 million to support and expand sustainable service delivery of PCYCs across the State to reduce juvenile offending and improve community safety;
- $8.1 million for the Suicide Prevention Strategy;
- $34.6 million for the roll-out of personal issue mobile smart tablets for police officers across the State;
- $15.4 million towards the roll-out of personal issue multi-threat body armour to frontline police officers across the State;
- $4.8 million for enhanced driver training and education for regional and remote communities, including $682,000 to establish a pilot of the program in Bunbury;
- Investing an additional $713,000 to maintain regional bus services;
- $19.9 million for the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment program; and
- The introduction of the new Regional Taxi Transition Fund.
The McGowan Government is delivering its plans for Bunbury and Collie and progressing its election commitments. Initiatives that are already underway in the South-West include:
- $32 million towards the Rail Future Fund to upgrade the Perth-Australind rail service;
- $9.3 million for an Alcohol and Other Drug Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Service in the South-West;
- $10.5 million to establish and manage the Preston River to Ocean and Leschenault Regional Parks to protect the areas' biodiversity, improve recreation facilities and drive tourism;
- $10 million to establish rail access to Kemerton Industrial Park;
- $20 million over five years for the Collie Futures Fund;
- $12.6 million for a new step up/step down mental health facility in Bunbury;
- $8 million for a new police station in Capel;
- $10.5 million investment in Kemerton and Shotts industrial parks to create more opportunity for businesses;
- $3 million to enhance Halifax Business Park;
- $31.9 million towards the Transforming Bunbury Waterfront project;
- $15 million towards priority road upgrades in the Collie-Preston region;
- $16.5 million of new works commencing on schools, including new facilities at Eaton Community College, upgrades to Eaton Primary School, redevelopments at Newton Moore Senior High School STEM Centre, and upgrades at South Bunbury Primary School including new facilities to support early childhood learning;
- $28.2 million of upgrades to Margaret River Senior High School, $4.9 million towards upgrades at Bunbury Senior High School and $7.1 million towards new facilities at Collie Senior High School;
- $2.84 million to deliver the tourism precinct for Lake Kepwari;
- $41.8 million to continue the operation of the South West Emergency Rescue Helicopter;
- $65 million across regional WA to continue to support Community Resource Centres; and
- $170.5 million across regional WA to continue the Country Age Pension Fuel Card and $5.1 million for the Volunteer Fuel Card.
Mr McGowan will be in Bunbury tomorrow to provide a State Budget Briefing looking at the implications of the budget for Bunbury, Collie and the South-West.
For more 2019-20 State Budget information visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
