The McGowan Labor Government is delivering on its plan to keep North West Central strong, with the State Budget investing billions to create quality local jobs, fund a pipeline of infrastructure works and deliver key services like health and education.
The 2021-22 State Budget delivers a strong surplus which enables the McGowan Government to deliver major investments for all Western Australians - including infrastructure, hospital and mental health services, social housing and climate action initiatives.
The Budget includes a record $9.1 billion investment in regional infrastructure and $4.2 billion through Royalties for Regions, including $627 million in regional election commitments and other new regional initiatives.
It includes ongoing support for vital services across regional WA, including $463 million for regional school bus services, $2 billion to subsidise regional electricity and water costs to keep charges in line with what metropolitan users pay.
Regional WA will benefit from a share of the $374 million State-wide investment in Aboriginal well-being.
Delivering the Plan for North West Central, the McGowan Government has allocated further support for jobs, TAFE, health, schools, regional roads, tourism and community facilities.
The 2021-22 State Budget will continue efforts to revitalise WA's TAFE and training sector, with a $198 million investment per annum in regional WA over the next four years, including:
- Continuing the Lower fees, local skills program, which has seen an increase of 101 per cent in enrolments in the Gascoyne in 2021;
- $25 million to WA TAFEs for new state-of-the-art equipment;
- $29.8 million to provide 8,000 additional VET places in schools across WA, on top of an additional 1350 VET places introduced in 2021;
- $19.2 million VET career taster program for Year 9 students; and
- $37 million towards the Employer Incentive Scheme in regional WA.
The McGowan Government will continue to focus on delivering high quality healthcare for all Western Australians, regardless of where they live, including:
- $1.9 billion investment in health and mental health to improve services throughout WA, including more doctors and nurses in the regions;
- Begin delivery of the $48.5 million Meekatharra Hospital upgrade, which will include acute care, emergency services, mental health, community aged care and other primary care services;
- $19.7 million for the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS), increasing the accommodation subsidy to $100 per night, and increasing escort eligibility for people from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including women travelling to give birth;
- An additional paid paramedic in Meekatharra;
- North West Central will share in $17.6 million towards social and emotional well-being services for Aboriginal people in the regions;
- $10.9 million to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to upgrade aircraft engines; and
- $9.2 million to extend Strong Spirit Strong Mind.
The McGowan Government will continue its strong investment in job creating projects to drive economic development and tourism, including:
- $19.8 million across the State to make air travel for regional residents more affordable;
- $10 million for road and camping infrastructure at local natural wonder Mount Augustus;
- $3.5 million towards the Gwoonwardu Mia Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre;
- $11.8 million will be spent to refurbish Denham Power Station as part of the Climate Action Fund;
- $13 million to implement joint management arrangements over the Badimia Conservation Reserves and the adjoining Thundelarra Conservation Park;
- $100 million Investment Attraction and New Industries Fund;
- $120 million for more than 150 frontline officers to speed up project approvals;
- $12.1 million to implement the regional component of the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2021-25;
- $45 million to expand the Aboriginal Rangers Program;
- Continuing the successful $40 million Regional Economic Development grants program, which since 2018 has invested $2.4 million in 20 projects, helping to create over 80 local jobs;
- $12.9 million boost to regional arts programs;
- $15 million for the Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund; and
- $15.1 million to strengthen WA's biosecurity capabilities.
The State Budget also includes important investment in quality education for young people in the regions, including:
- $1.5 billion will be spent each year to provide regional students with a quality education, in addition to $427.5 million over the next four years for refurbishments, upgrades and new builds for regional primary and secondary schools;
- $1 million for Carnarvon Community College, $600,000 for Tom Price Senior High School and $1 million for Kalbarri District High School for STEM classrooms; and
- Investment into science resources, grants and new classrooms for schools across the region, including Exmouth District High School, Carnarvon Community College, North Tom Price Primary School, Kalbarri District High School, Cue Primary School, Yalgoo Primary School, Useless Loop Primary School, Ngaanyatjarra Lands School and Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School.
After delivering record investment in regional roads over the past four years, the McGowan Government will oversee another significant investment into regional roads, including:
- $4.5 billion for major road projects and programs throughout regional WA;
- $500,000 to widen the Quobba-Gnaraloo Road;
- $14 million towards the Minilya Exmouth Road upgrade; and
- Over $70 million for the Regional Road Safety Program to invest in repairing, rebuilding and road safety treatments on more than 550 kilometres of roads in the Mid West-Gascoyne.
The McGowan Government is investing $8.7 million towards works on the historic One Mile Jetty in Carnarvon, above the $4.5 million committed at the 2021 State Election.
North West Central will share in a $9.7 million allocation to employ 20 staff, to assist in the mammoth recovery effort from Tropical Cyclone Seroja, in addition to the $104.5 million of joint Commonwealth-State recovery funding already made available.
$1 million has been allocated for soil restoration after flooding in Carnarvon earlier this year.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"My Government's responsible financial management is enabling us to invest in the regions and keep North West Central strong - creating local jobs, building a pipeline of infrastructure works and supporting vital services like health and education.
"We're funding our Plan for North West Central to keep the regional economy growing, while delivering on our election commitments for the local community.
"Our WA Jobs Plan preferences Western Australians for local jobs first, as we work to diversify the regional economy in North West Central, attract investment and build a skilled workforce for the future.
"The 2021-22 State Budget is working to deliver a strong and vibrant region, with quality local services that give people every reason to live, work and raise a family in North West Central."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Our Government is continuing to build strong and resilient regional communities, working to diversify our regional economies and create local jobs.
"We are delivering on our election commitments, and helping our regions to embrace future opportunities and 21st century industries."
