A $110.9 million package for the Kimberley region has been unveiled as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
The Kimberley Recovery Plan is focused on getting locals back to work and includes a significant investment in sectors including construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, education and training, and agriculture.
As part of the $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs package, the plan includes upgrades to TAFE infrastructure in the Kimberley:
- $10 million to North Regional TAFE’s Broome campus for a new Hospitality and Student Services Centre
- $6 million to North Regional TAFE’s Kununurra campus for a new Health and Hospitality Trade Training Centre.
$3 million has been allocated to rebuild the early childhood education centre at Wyndham District High School.
The revamped Buy Local policy will ensure local businesses are prioritised to carry out construction work. This includes:
- $3 million to construct the Broome Town Beach jetty
- $20 million for the construction of a 70-bed Aboriginal short-stay accommodation facility in Kununurra
- $3.2 million for a water playground at the Kununurra Leisure Centre
- $2.96 million to relocate Horizon Power’s call centre in Melbourne to Broome, creating 10 local jobs.
The following initiatives will focus on driving investment in renewable energy and new technologies in the Kimberley:
- $10.3 million for Broome and $1.7 million for Yungngora to install Battery Energy Storage Systems to allow more customers to install rooftop solar systems and reduce their power bills
- $9.92 million for Horizon Power to deploy standalone power systems that use solar and battery technology to generate and store electricity
- $5.21 million to invest in renewable energy projects across Derby, including:
- installing solar PV systems on council buildings
- replacing street lights with energy efficient LEDs
- large-scale solar panel and battery at Derby Health Campus.
Strengthening health and community services is a vital component on the WA Recovery Plan, and for the Kimberley region the following will be invested:
- $9.77 million for Aboriginal regional suicide prevention plans, prioritising Aboriginal-led and locally endorsed initiatives
- $18.8 million towards operating costs at regional renal hostels, including a new service in Broome and services in Fitzroy Crossing, Derby and Kununurra
- $7.98 million toward planning and developing the Broome Health and Wellbeing Campus, a Nyamba Buru Yawuru project
- $1.85 million for upgrades to alcohol and other drug facilities in regional WA, including Wyndham, Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing
- establishing a regional deployment pool of metropolitan clinical staff to support healthcare delivery.
For more information:
- visit WA Recovery Plan initiatives
- see the Plan for Kimberley unveiled as part of WA Recovery Plan and $3 million for final stage of Town Beach redevelopment media statements.
