- State Budget includes a $808.2 million investment in job-creating infrastructure in the Pilbara
- $22.5 million for the Regional Economic Development Grants Scheme to drive economic development in regional Western Australia
- $9.3 million for conservation projects in the Pilbara
- $80 million to enhance rural bushfire capacity across the State through the new Rural Fire Division
- $70 million for improvements to regional roads across the State identified as high risk for run off crashes
- Investment builds on important projects already underway in the Pilbara region
- McGowan Labor Government to invest more than $4 billion in Royalties for Regions across regional WA
The McGowan Labor Government is creating jobs and investing in important infrastructure and services in the Pilbara, while restoring responsible financial management across the State.
The State Budget includes $4 billion in Royalties for Regions funding across the State, delivering important services to people in regional Western Australia.
The McGowan Labor Government will spend $3.4 billion on infrastructure across regional WA.
Creating jobs and strengthening the State's economy remains the number one priority of the McGowan Labor Government. The Budget includes:
- $22.5 million for the Regional Economic Development Grants Scheme to drive economic development in regional Western Australia;
- $9.3 million for conservation projects in the Pilbara to offset impacts from the clearing of vegetation and fauna; and
- $1.5 million over three years for a capability building program for Aboriginal businesses, to support the Aboriginal procurement policy.
The McGowan Labor Government will invest $80 million to enhance rural bushfire capacity across the State through the new Rural Fire Division. For the first time ever, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services will have a division dedicated to rural firefighting and bushfire management.
The Budget includes funding for important community programs and facilities, including:
- $21.5 million to continue delivery of Regional Youth Justice Services in the Pilbara and Kimberley;
- $20.5 million for the Target 120 program for early intervention into young offenders;
- $70 million for improvements to regional roads across the State identified as high risk for run off crashes;
- $1.2 million to install five Rural Intersection Active Warning systems on regional roads; and
- $3 million towards the expansion of school and childcare facilities in the Shire of Ashburton.
Key McGowan Labor Government projects already underway or funded in the Pilbara include:
- $49.4 million to complete work on the Karratha Health Campus;
- $46.4 million to redevelop the Newman Health Service;
- $5 million towards Tom Price Hospital;
- $112 million in funding towards the Port Hedland marina and waterfront development;
- $19.8 million towards the Pilbara Aboriginal Town Based Reserves project;
- $14.8 million towards the Step Up/Step Down mental health facility in Karratha;
- $12.8 million to continue the Northwest Drug and Alcohol Support Program;
- $50 million for the construction of the next stage of the Karratha to Tom Price Road;
- $54.5 million towards the upgrade of the Marble Bar Road through Coongan Gorge;
- $16 million to continue the Aboriginal Rangers Program over the next four years, to provide jobs looking after State parks and protected areas;
- $5.5 million for the Transforming Agriculture in the Pilbara initiative; and
- $4.7 million towards enhancing educational outcomes in the Pilbara.
The McGowan Labor Government is focused on delivering the things that matter to people across regional WA. We are progressing important election commitments in regional WA, including:
- $18.5 million for the Regional Enforcement Unit to increase traffic enforcement on country roads;
- More than $2 billion will be spent on the State's regional roads between 2018-19 and 2021-22;
- $39.7 million to boost tourism funding to showcase regional destinations;
- Putting education assistants and Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers back into regional classrooms;
- Funding to put Independent Learning Coordinators in 10 regional schools will assist students undertaking courses through the School of Isolated and Distance Education;
- Eight Regional Learning Specialists allocated to the School of Isolated and Distance Education to provide specialist classes for Year 11 and 12 students;
- $4.5 million for new and emerging regional businesses as part of the New Industries Fund;
- $1.6 million for the Find Cancer Early program in regional areas;
- $6.8 million for the renal dialysis program;
- $182.3 million for the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme to support regional Western Australians when they need to travel for medical treatment;
- $136 million for the Country Age Pension Fuel Card and $4 million for the volunteer fuel card;
- $37 million for Community Resource Centres across regional Western Australia; and
- $24.8 million for the Natural Resources Management Program.
For more information on the 2018-19 State Budget, visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"My Government is putting the State to work, creating jobs for people in the Pilbara and turning the State's finances around.
"The State Budget strikes the right balance between fixing the mess of the Liberal National Government, while focusing on the things that matter to people in the Pilbara - jobs, health, education and community services.
"Preserving the Pilbara's unique and pristine environment is critical to developing eco-tourism opportunities and driving diversification in the region; our $9.3 million investment in conservation projects will be key to this."
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The State Budget includes $4 billion in Royalties for Regions funding and it is being spent in ways that will transform the Pilbara.
"The McGowan Labor Government is focused on ensuring small businesses are given every opportunity to grow, to boost local economies and create jobs.
"This year we're getting the ball rolling on our major, job-creating infrastructure projects in the Pilbara: local residents will start to see benefits flowing from our investment in the Karratha-Tom Price Road and Port Hedland waterfront projects."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6200
