The State Government will inject $300million from the Royalties for Regions fund to modernise and transform Pilbara communities over the next four years.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced the establishment of the Pilbara Revitalisation Plan with an immediate allocation of $120million to kick-start the program and a further $60million in each of the next three years.
The Pilbara Revitalisation Plan would allow work to start on projects identified in community development schemes such as Karratha 2020 Vision; Newman Tomorrow; Hedland’s Future Today; the Shire of Ashburton Strategic Plan; and the Pilbara Area Consultative Committee (ACC) Pilbara Plan.
“The revitalisation plan will be funded through tied grants to the four Pilbara local government authorities, allowing them to partner with government agencies and industry to invest in priority community initiatives,” Mr Grylls said.
“The funding will replace ageing infrastructure and includes the undergrounding of power lines in coastal towns, protecting electricity supply during the cyclone season.
“Cyclone-proofing power supplies in Pilbara communities is an important centrepiece of the plan.”
The Minister said the revitalisation plan also focused on town centre redevelopments in Tom Price and Newman, a learning and leisure precinct in Karratha, recreational facilities in Port Hedland and a multipurpose recreation centre in Onslow.
“The revitalisation initiative kick-starts the transformation of our Pilbara towns and we will seek assistance from the Commonwealth for matching funding to boost the total package,” he said.
“The funding allows Pilbara communities to shape their own future through local decision making.”
Mr Grylls said the State Government would also examine future infrastructure and energy needs in the Pilbara and work to securing water sources for town and industrial use.
“We are funding a feasibility study to explore the potential to harvest water from mining dewatering operations to open up secondary economies in the Pilbara hinterland for irrigated agriculture, including fodder crops and tree farming,” he said.
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