- State Budget to deliver big investment in Collie-Preston, with a focus on creating jobs and supporting services such as health, education and police
- $20 million investment over five years in Collie Futures Fund to secure long-term jobs in Collie
- $15 million to upgrade dangerous roads in Collie-Preston
- $18 million to build and operate a specialist drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in the South-West
- Job-creating upgrades to Lake Kepwari, and Kemerton and Shotts industrial parks
- Millions of dollars to upgrade local schools, roads and community facilities
- Part of a $4 billion Royalties for Regions investment across regional WA
The McGowan Labor Government is implementing its Plan for Collie-Preston, with the State Budget to deliver a significant investment in job-creating projects, education, health and community services.
The 2017-18 State Budget will include a $20 million investment over five years into the Collie Futures Fund to drive economic activity and create long-term employment security for locals.
The McGowan Government is delivering projects that will assist in diversifying the economy and creating jobs in Collie-Preston, including:
- $10.5 million to develop Kemerton and Shotts industrial parks to create opportunities for new business developments;
- An additional $10 million to establish rail access to Kemerton Industrial Park;
- $32 million investment in a Rail Futures Fund to deliver a revitalised Australind rail service;
- $3 million to develop Lake Kepwari as a recreational tourist destination;
- $300,000 to promote the Ferguson Valley and Wellington Forest areas as tourist destinations; and
- $32 million to boost tourism funding to showcase regional destinations.
A total of $636 million has been allocated for important capital works in the South-West.
Fixing dangerous country roads is one of the McGowan Labor Government's top priorities in regional Western Australia. The Budget will include $15 million for road projects in Collie-Preston, including:
- Upgrades to Raymond, Collie-Preston, Wellington Forest and Brookdale roads; and
- Widening the South West Highway at Picton East with slip lanes to improve safety.
The long-delayed Treendale Bridge will be completed.
The McGowan Labor Government is committed to delivering the highest standard of education to children in Collie-Preston. The State Budget will include:
- $7.5 million to build new classrooms at Collie Senior High School;
- $5 million to deliver new science labs at Eaton Community College;
- $3 million for upgrades at Eaton Primary School;
- $1.5 million for a new early learning centre at Glen Huon Primary School;
- Funding to commence planning for major upgrades to Collie TAFE;
- Funding to roll out the Science in Schools program in regional primary schools; and
- Funding to put education assistants back into classrooms and provide more support for teachers.
A strong investment in important community infrastructure in Collie-Preston includes:
- $8 million to build Capel Police Station;
- $2 million to upgrade Eaton Bowling Club to create a community hub;
- $2 million towards the Donnybrook town centre revitalisation;
- $500,000 to develop Eaton-Australind historic walk;
- $200,000 for upgrades to the Wellington Dam walk trails;
- $200,000 for Balingup Town Hall upgrades;
- $2.3 million for the Capel Town Centre revitalisation;
- $250,000 for the Collie River water stop to improve amenity to improve water depth in Soldiers' Park;
- $500,000 for planning towards a Minninup Pool Tourist Park;
- $2 million towards a new 25 metre indoor pool and clubrooms at Collie Mineworkers Memorial Pool; and
- $250,000 to enhance facilities at Stockton Lake.
The McGowan Labor Government is ensuring that Western Australians have access to quality health care, no matter where they live. The State's first Medihotel is underway, which will ensure hospital stays are more comfortable for people traveling to Perth from Collie-Preston for medical treatment.
Funding in the Budget will enable the delivery of the election commitments in putting patients first, including:
- $18 million to build and operate a specialist drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in the South-West;
- $2 million upgrade to Riverview Residence in Collie as an aged retirement facility; and
- $1.6 million to expand the Find Cancer Early programs into more regional areas.
The State Budget will include $4 billion in Royalties for Regions expenditure across the State, with a focus on creating jobs and projects that really matter to people in regional WA.
This is the first stage in the implementation of the McGowan Labor Government's Plan for Collie-Preston. Planning and scoping of additional projects, including a $60 million investment in renewable energy in Collie, will be announced as part of subsequent budgets.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"The Plan for Collie-Preston is well underway. The McGowan Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering our election commitments to the people of Collie-Preston and the South-West.
"Our first State Budget includes a big investment in Collie-Preston, with a focus on projects that will create jobs and opportunities for locals as well as improve important services such as health and education.
"The $20 million Collie Futures Fund will provide a funding source to develop economic activity in Collie and secure long-term jobs.
"The McGowan Labor Government will continue to provide ongoing support to enable Collie-Preston to continue to grow into the future."
Comments attributed to Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
"The McGowan Government is growing regional economies and creating jobs across regional WA.
"Too many Western Australians are losing their lives on dangerous country roads. The $15 million investment to upgrade roads in Collie-Preston is part of our plan to improve safety on roads across regional WA.
"The $3 million investment into Lake Kepwari will create a tourist destination, with opportunities to participate in water sports such as water skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing.
"The upgrades will create new tourism-based job opportunities for locals and will create plenty of jobs in the process.
"Upgrading Kemerton and Shotts industrial parks will provide serviced industrial land to create more opportunities for local investment.
"In the South-West alone, the McGowan Government will spend $636 million on critical infrastructure over the next four years.
"As our population grows, it's vital we continue to invest in local schools and hospitals and ensure services meet the needs of the community.
"We have big plans for Collie-Preston and the State Budget will ensure these plans become a reality as we continue to deliver on our election commitments in coming years."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
