The McGowan Labor Government is delivering on its plan to keep Murray-Wellington, Mandurah and Dawesville 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 and $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 Murray-Wellington, Mandurah and Dawesville, 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:
- Delivering the new $16.87 million Hospitality Training Centre and hair and beauty training facilities at Mandurah TAFE;
- Continuing the Lower fees, local skills program, which has seen an increase of 24 per cent in enrolments in the Peel region 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;
- Delivering the $152 million major redevelopment of Peel Health Campus and bringing it back into public hands;
- $2.2 million to develop a new Peel Women's Health Program, to connect women with health and support services and information at both the crisis point and early intervention point;
- $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;
- $9.2 million to extend Strong Spirit Strong Mind; and
- $8.6 million to expand the Peel region's community alcohol and other drug integrated services.
The McGowan Government will continue its strong investment in job creating projects to drive economic development and tourism, including:
- $2.7 million investment to complete the final 18 kilometres of mountain bike trails within the Dwellingup area, qualifying Dwellingup for 'international trail town' status;
- A further $2 million will be invested into Peel regional trails and $105,000 will be invested in the Harvey Trails and Adventure Precinct;
- $10 million to establish a Food Technology Facility at Peel Business Park;
- $1.3 million Waroona Town Centre redevelopment;
- $2 million Yalgorup trails and ecotourism development;
- $5 million Peel Harvey Estuary Protection Plan (Bindjareb Djilba);
- $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 $2.2 million in 23 projects, helping to create over 673 local jobs;
- $12.9 million boost to regional arts programs;
- $15 million for the Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund;
- $3 million towards the Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership; 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;
- $1.5 million investment in Pinjarra Senior High School, $1.5 million for Halls Head College and $1.5 million to Coodanup College to deliver new STEM classrooms;
- A further $1 million will be invested in repurposed science classrooms at both John Tonkin College campuses, and $500,000 for Harvey Senior High School to repurpose a classroom into a STEM classroom; and
- $85,000 for a refurbished science classroom at Waroona District High 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;
- $110 million to build a second Mandurah Estuary Bridge;
- $2.5 million towards construction of the Munday Avenue extension, providing a link between Greenlands Road and Munday Avenue in Pinjarra;
- $5 million to deliver the first stage of left acceleration lanes along Forrest Highway to facilitate safer access to the communities of Binningup, Harvey, Preston Beach and Myalup;
- $395,000 to widen and seal shoulders, install animal warning signs, delineation and pavement markings on Corio Road in Ravenswood; and
- $235,000 to install a roundabout at Bortolo Drive and Lowden Road in Mandurah.
The State Budget includes $28.1 million for the Mandurah Common Ground facility to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with accommodation and support services.
The 2021-22 State Budget also includes significant investment to help keep Western Australians active, healthy and connected with their communities, including:
- $750,000 towards building a new multi-use Community Centre in Ravenswood, including a clubroom, kitchen, storerooms, meeting room and change rooms with showers and toilets;
- $3 million to expand the Leschenault Leisure Centre in Australind to include two additional courts, associated spectator seating, storage, administration and an upgrade to amenities;
- $610,000 to the Harvey Senior Citizens Centre to build a brand new social area, additional office space and accessible toilets; and
- $3 million towards Dawesville Community Centre.
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 Peel strong - creating local jobs, building a pipeline of infrastructure works and supporting vital services like health and education.
"We're funding our Plan for Murray-Wellington, Mandurah and Dawesville 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 Peel, 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 Peel."
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."
