The McGowan Government's strong investment in the South-West continues, with the State Budget funding vital job-creating projects and services to assist with the region's recovery.
As part of the unprecedented $644 million WA Household Electricity Credit, households in the South-West region will receive a $600 credit on their electricity bill by the end of the year.
This first-of-its kind announcement recognises that financial support and relief for Western Australians is important to help continue our recovery from the pandemic.
The region will also benefit from the McGowan Government's major announcement to recruit 800 more police officers, on top of the 300 new police officers already being delivered.
This is the largest increase on record, and is expected to result in WA having the highest number of police officers per person of all States.
The Budget includes a total of $4.2 billion in Royalties for Regions funding across regional WA, and a $7.5 billion investment in infrastructure in the regions.
The McGowan Government continues to support vital services across regional WA, such as $239.8 million for regional school bus services, $1 billion to subsidise water costs for country users, and $200 million to support remote Aboriginal communities.
The Budget fully funds the suite of South-West projects announced as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, which is delivering support for businesses and households, and driving jobs and economic growth in the region.
The 2020-21 State Budget includes:
- $78.1 million for Stage 3 of Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront project, on top of the $34.4 million already invested in Stages 1 and 2;
- More than $28 million for upgrades to South-West schools including Australind Senior High School, Margaret River Senior High School, Bunbury Senior High School and Harvey Senior High School;
- $38 million of additional funding towards the Bunbury Hospital redevelopment, on top of the $22.8 million already allocated;
- $8 million to build the new Dalyellup Multipurpose Community and Youth Centre;
- $5 million to rebuild Hands Oval in Bunbury with contemporary facilities, including male and female change rooms and club rooms;
- $6 million to the Donnybrook and Districts Sporting and Recreation Precinct to co-locate sporting and recreation grounds from across Donnybrook into a modern facility;
- Fast track the $852 million Bunbury Outer Ring Road with construction anticipated to begin three months early in January 2021 and estimated to create 4,500 jobs;
- $15 million through the Regional Road Safety Program to upgrade 240 kilometres of
- South-West roads with shoulder sealing and installation of audible lines, creating around 60 local jobs
- $2.5 million for upgrades and maintenance to local police stations including Collie and Donnybrook
- $3.08 million to complete the final stage of the Margaret River Main Street Redevelopment Project, on top of the $5.5 million already invested into the project
To view the full list of South-West WA Recovery Plan projects funded in the State Budget, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/South%20West%20Recovery%20Plan_0.pdf
The McGowan Government has a record of major investment in the South-West region over the past four years. Projects currently underway or completed include:
- $15.5 million for the Bunbury Port Inner Harbour access road and bridge as part of the staged expansion of the port;
- Unveiled the designs of the brand new $54.7 million Australind railcar sets;
- $4.6 million for a 10 bed Step Up/Step Down facility in Bunbury, which opened in March 2020;
- Major upgrades to schools across the South-West;
- $25.4 million investment to increase prison capacity at Bunbury Regional Prison by 160 additional beds;
- $60 million for the Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund, including:
- $10 million for adventure bike trails around Collie;
- $13.4 million for the Koolinup Emergency Services Centre in Collie including an Incident Control Centre, Emergency Driver Training School and regional fleet maintenance;
- $1.5 million 'mural trail' project - Wellington Dam's huge 367m x 34m wall face will provide the canvas for the mural, with a series of smaller murals painted by WA and South-West artists as part of a 'mural trail';
- $4.5 million for tourism-readiness projects in Collie; and
- $2.5 million for Frontline Fire & Rescue Equipment to establish an emergency vehicle manufacturing facility in Collie.
- $18 million for the Collie Futures Fund, including:
- $1 million for remediation works to bring the Collie Roundhouse to lease-ready state; and
- $2.8 million to support establishment of the WesTrac Technology Training Centre.
- $2 million Collie Futures Small Grants Program;
- $5.2 million to deliver the tourism precinct for Lake Kepwari - Collie's own Cardinal Contractors has completed upgrades to part of the access road to Lake Kepwari;
- $85 million to construct Stages 1 and 2 for Bussell Highway dual carriageway;
- $12.2 million to upgrade Collie Hospital;
- $2 million for the Bridge Street Affordable Housing aged accommodation project in Donnybrook;
- $1.5 million for the Brunswick River Cottages aged accommodation;
- $3 million for the Margaret River HEART facility;
- $58 million for the Margaret River Perimeter Road;
- $30 million for the Margaret River High School redevelopment;
- $2.5 million for the Armstrong Village aged accommodation project in Dunsborough; and
- $1.4 million to drive local jobs in the South-West through the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"South-West households are big winners in the State Budget.
"Financial support and relief for Western Australians is important to help continue our recovery from the pandemic. That's why we've taken the unprecedented step of giving households across WA a $600 credit on their electricity bill this year.
"We know that the pandemic has been extremely challenging for many in our community, and this assistance will make life a little easier for local families.
"I'm also pleased to announce that the local community will benefit from our major boost to police officers. This is the largest increase on record, placing more officers out on the beat and keeping the community safe.
"The State Budget fully delivers on the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, which includes major upgrades to infrastructure and services in the South West, driving economic recovery and creating a pipeline of local jobs.
"Even though COVID-19 caused the largest global economic shock in nearly 100 years, WA's economic and financial position is better than first expected due to our world-leading response and border controls.
"By keeping WA safe and strong, Western Australia can recover from COVID-19, stronger than ever."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The State Budget continues our record of investment in regional WA.
"We're transforming the face and economy of the South-West through projects like Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront and the suite of job-creating initiatives supported through the Collie Futures Fund.
"The McGowan Government's ongoing guarantee to deliver Royalties for Regions ensures Western Australians have access to quality services, no matter where they live.
"For the past four years, we have been focused on creating local jobs, delivering our election commitments in the region, and ensuring we continue to improve local infrastructure and services like hospitals and schools."
