The McGowan Government is delivering its plan for the Mid-West region, with funding in the State Budget to create local jobs and support the local economy, while delivering important community infrastructure and services.
The 2019-20 State Budget includes $4.2 billion in Royalties for Regions funding across regional Western Australia.
More than $5.6 billion will be invested in regional infrastructure over the next four years.
WA's first budget surplus in five years, delivered two years ahead of schedule, has allowed the McGowan Government to deliver the lowest increase to household fees and charges in 13 years.
The Budget includes funding for important, job-creating infrastructure and programs in the Mid-West including:
- $7 million to build a state-of-the-art marine finfish nursery facility in Geraldton;
- $10 million to establish visitor and operations infrastructure at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park as part of 'Plan for Our Parks';
- $3.6 million to upgrade firefighting infrastructure at the Port of Geraldton;
- $388,000 for land management activities and capacity development for the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve;
- $12.3 million for Greenough Prison, including fortifying fencing between male and female prisoners in response to 2018 riot;
- $12 million State-wide injection to Tourism Western Australia to expand promotion of WA overseas;
- $131.5 million of additional State-wide expenditure to support agriculture in WA, grow export markets and create long-term jobs including $39.6 million for the Boosting Biosecurity Defences, Asian Market Success and Grains Research and Development support programs (in addition to $45 million for Grains Research and Development in the 2018-19 Budget);
- $182.4 million of State-wide funding for a new Employer Incentive Scheme and training delivery, including $45 million for regional WA. The scheme will help WA employers with the costs of employing apprentices and trainees; and
- $24.1 million in ongoing State-wide funding for the 'WA Open for Business' program to promote export opportunities for regional businesses.
The McGowan Government is committed to delivering community services to people across regional WA, including in the Mid-West region. The Budget includes:
- $42.5 million in additional State-wide funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan, including $20.1 million for the North West Drug and Alcohol Support Program to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs in the Mid-West, Pilbara and Kimberley;
- $2.3 million package to combat elder abuse, including continued funding for the WA Elder Abuse Helpline;
- $11.3 million to support and expand sustainable service delivery of PCYCs across the State to reduce juvenile offending and improve community safety;
- $34.6 million for the roll-out of personal issue mobile smart tablets for police officers across the State;
- $15.4 million towards the roll-out of personal issue multi-threat body armour to frontline police officers across the State;
- $4.8 million for enhanced driver training and education for regional and remote communities;
- Investing an additional $713,000 to maintain regional bus services;
- $19.9 million for the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment program;
- $8.1 million for the Suicide Prevention Strategy;
- The introduction of the new Regional Taxi Transition Fund; and
- $700,000 for the construction of a new helicopter landing site at the Jurien Bay Health Centre.
The McGowan Government is delivering its Plan for the Mid-West and progressing its election commitments. Initiatives that are already underway in the region include:
- $73.3 million for the redevelopment of the Geraldton Health Campus;
- $10.2 million for the step up/step down mental health facility;
- $35 million to upgrade roads related to the Square Kilometre Array project;
- $6.5 million to upgrade the Geraldton Airport runway;
- $18.7 million State-wide for the Aboriginal Rangers Program to provide jobs looking after State parks and protected areas;
- $1.59 million towards the Murchison Regional Vermin Cell and Murchison Hub Cell;
- $8.6 million towards replacing ageing Volunteer Fire Stations in regional locations, including Northampton;
- $1 million for Dongara Aged Care;
- $65 million across regional WA to continue to support Community Resource Centres; and
- $170.5 million across regional WA to continue the Country Age Pension Fuel Card and $5.1 million for the Volunteer Fuel Card.
For more 2019-20 State Budget information, visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The McGowan Government is continuing its strong investment in the Mid-West, to create jobs and provide local families with the services they need.
"The Budget includes significant funding for the Mid-West to grow tourism and jobs opportunities around the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park.
"It also includes $42.5 million in additional funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan.
"Since coming to Government in 2017, we have worked hard to bring the Budget back under control while delivering important improvements to vital services like health and education across regional WA.
"We will continue to implement our plans for the Mid-West region to support job creation, grow the local economy and support families in the region."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Our Government is committed to driving economic diversification and local job opportunities in the regions, and this Budget helps to deliver the important projects and services the Mid-West region needs.
"There are fantastic opportunities for economic growth in tourism and aquaculture in the Mid-West, and this Budget provides new investment in projects like the new finfish nursery in Geraldton and new visitor infrastructure at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park.
"Our $4.2 billion Royalties for Regions investment is delivering important projects, programs and infrastructure to strengthen our regional communities and economies."
