The McGowan Government has unveiled a multimillion dollar package for the Peel region as part of the WA Recovery Plan, to drive economic and social recovery and create a pipeline of local jobs.
The Peel Recovery Plan is focused on getting locals back to work and includes a significant investment in sectors including construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, education and training, and agriculture.
It will deliver a pipeline of short and long term jobs supporting and strengthening our existing industries, as well as laying the foundation for jobs of the future.
As part of the McGowan Government's $229 million TAFE package, the plan includes upgrades to TAFE infrastructure in the region, including:
- $9.17 million to South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus for a new Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre to deliver training for a range of courses including commercial cookery, tourism and events management;
- $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with a variety of free courses available at South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus;
- $32 million to expand the Lower fees, local skills program and significantly reduce TAFE fees across 39 high priority courses; and
- $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive that provides employers with a one-off payment of $6,000 for hiring an apprentice and $3,000 for hiring a trainee, whose training contract was terminated on, or after, March 1, 2020 due to the economic downturn.
It also includes $10.38 million for the Pinjarra Senior High School for a new permanent performing arts centre and sports hall, as part of the Major School Upgrade package.
The Peel Recovery Plan includes investment in infrastructure and industry to create opportunities for local businesses and jobs for local workers.
The McGowan Government's revamped Buy Local policy will ensure local businesses are in the box seat to carry out this work. The plan includes:
- $8.65 million to invest in upgraded infrastructure, including roads and drainage in East Keralup to attract private industry and create local jobs;
- $2 million for upgrades at Mandurah Police Station;
- $116 million across the State for the Regional Land Booster package that will make residential, commercial and industrial lots more affordable including residential lots at Mandurah Junction and Ranford, and industrial lots in Pinjarra;
- installing solar panels at up to 60 bus and train stations across WA, including at Mandurah train station;
- $210,000 for upgrades at Waroona Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services; and
- $8 million to the Offsets Fund for Recovery program that creates green jobs by supporting conservation groups to carry out on-ground works such as fencing, seeding and planting across regional WA, including the Peel region.
The plan also includes a significant investment in infrastructure and programs to drive tourism and create jobs. It includes:
- $1.19 million for upgrades on the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail including renewing camp sites, bridges and sections of the track;
- $750,000 to replace the ageing timber boardwalk in Goegrup Lake Nature Reserve in the Mandurah region;
- $350,000 for upgrades to buildings, new facilities and services across national parks in the Peel region, including Serpentine National Park; and
- $25 million for the Healthy Estuaries WA program for improvement works in estuaries across regional WA, including in the Peel-Harvey system.
Strengthening Western Australia's health and community services is a vital component of the WA Recovery Plan. It includes $4 million towards the expansion of family and domestic violence refuges, including the construction of an additional six units at the Peel therapeutic refuge.
The Peel region will also benefit from a range of State-wide programs included in the WA Recovery Plan.
The full list of projects can be viewed at https://inthistogether.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"I thank each and every member of the Peel community for their efforts and sacrifices during the pandemic.
"We must remain vigilant, but our work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 means we are in a strong position to continue the process of recovery.
"The Peel Recovery Plan will drive economic and social recovery in the region to ensure it can recover stronger than ever.
"It will create a pipeline of short and long term jobs for locals and deliver huge improvements to local infrastructure and services."
As stated by Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
"This plan is an important step in the Peel's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The McGowan Government is continuing its record of strong investment in the region, and this plan will deliver important upgrades to Mandurah TAFE, tourism infrastructure, improvement works to the Peel-Harvey estuary, roads and other job-creating projects."
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
"This is a significant investment into the Peel region from the McGowan Government.
"The plan will create new training opportunities in the region, deliver significant improvements to local infrastructure and create long-term jobs for locals.
"The Peel Recovery Plan will put the Peel region in a strong position to recover from the pandemic, and I know our community is very grateful and looking forward to positive outcomes."
