Investing in our future: budget boost for Midland and Swan area

16/5/02
Nearly $11million will be spent in the Midland region building new schools and renovating existing facilities.
The funding has been allocated in the State Budget for 2002-03 handed down today by State Treasurer Eric Ripper.
Mr Ripper said overall the State Budget reflected the community's priorities, with extra money being spent in education, health and law and order, with an emphasis on spending which encouraged and underpinned the State's growth.
"WA is going for growth," he said.
"We are developing our State and investing in skilling our people."
Capital spending on schools in the area consists of:

• $2million out of a $5million budget to begin building Coolomon Primary School in Ellenbrook. The school will include 15 classrooms, specialist art, craft and music facilities and a covered assembly area;

• $2million out of a $3million budget to begin the replacement Koongamia Primary School resulting from an amalgamation with Bellevue Primary;

• $2million out of a $3million budget to begin the replacement Midvale Primary School;

• $2.9million for additions and improvements to West Midland Primary School;

• $450,000 for refurbishment at Swan View High School (the second instalment of $1 million in total) including an upgrade to the technology and enterprise area; and

• $1.5million over the next two years for renovations at Upper Swan Primary School.

The $2.4billion health budget this year will include an additional $9.4million for major hospital development and upgrading in the East Metropolitan Health Service region.
"And $21million over four years will be spent on Royal Perth works, including a new renal area, ward and emergency upgrades," Mr Ripper said.
"Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial Hospitals will benefit from $31.5million in capital works funding over four years to continue upgrading wards, equipment, theatre and emergency facilities."
The Treasurer said community services in the area had been boosted with an additional $52,000 being provided to the Best Beginnings program, which provided home visits to assist parents with children under two years old.
"An additional $27,500 has also been provided for the Aboriginal Family Support Service which provide short-term assistance and advocacy service for Aboriginal carers of young children," he said.
Mr Ripper said the Government had also continued to invest in the future of the Midland area by allocating $5.47million in 2002-03 for the second stage of the Police Operations facility, which would include design work for the forensic component of the facility.
He said the volunteer fire services in Ellenbrook, which were vital to the safety and well-being of the rapidly expanding local community had been allocated $550,000 for a new fire station and appliances. In addition, $300,000 had been provided to purchase land in Midland for the replacement of the current station.
Ellenbrook public library will receive an increase in their allocation of books and other public resources this year, as part of the $9 million commitment to public libraries State-wide.
The Treasurer said other community priorities had also been addressed in this budget with $1.08million allocated for the upgrading of the Lexia Ground Water Scheme Catchment Management which was a new groundwater bore system to supply drinking water to the metropolitan region.
Treasurer's office: 9222 8788