The Liberal-National Government has injected $644million into developing regional Western Australia under the Royalties for Regions program.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the program, funded by the equivalent of 25 per cent of WA’s mining and on-shore petroleum royalty revenue, comprised three key funds - the Country Local Government Fund, the Regional Community Services Fund and the Regional Infrastructure and Headworks Fund. 

“The Royalties for Regions program is designed to help regional communities grow and prosper by promoting local decision-making and attracting the resources and investment needed to support development in the country,” Mr Grylls said.

“During the first six months of the Liberal-National Government, $334million was invested through Royalties for Regions for 2008-09 and subsequent years.

“These projects and initiatives have provided a strong base for regional WA and, in 2009-10, include:

Country Local Government Fund

·          Support to local governments and regional organisations of councils through the Country Local Government Fund ($100million).

Regional Community Service Fund

·          Expanded support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service ($9.165million)

·          Increased funding for  the Community Resource Centre Network ($11million)

·          Boarding Away from Home Allowance ($1.8million)

·          Expanded support for the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme ($8.686million)

·          A new Country Age Pension Fuel Card ($12.5million)

Regional Infrastructure and Headworks Fund

·          Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project ($86million)

·          Upgrading the Nickol Bay Hospital, Karratha ($3.6million)

·          Exploration Incentive Scheme ($16.08million)

·          Regional Grants Scheme ($63million)

·          Housing for Workers - including 400 Government regional officer homes  ($180million)

·          Additional funding for the Regional Airports Development Scheme ($5.51million)

·          South Hedland Town Centre Revitalisation ($11million)

·          Northern Towns Development Fund ($10.5million).

The Minister said the 2009-10 State Budget had allocated $100million to the Country Local Government Fund, $57.821million to the Regional Community Services Fund and $445.69million to the Regional Infrastructure and Headworks Fund.

A major new component of the Regional Infrastructure and Headworks Fund is the $300million program of works to help develop the Pilbara Revitalisation Plan.

“This will provide a considerable stimulus to the region to improve the standard of living for residents in those localities which play a vital and strategic role in the State’s economic future,” Mr Grylls said.

“The first step of the Revitalisation Plan will be $120million provided to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development to support a range of strategic initiatives throughout the Pilbara.

“These initiatives are outlined in existing studies that focus on the social and economic needs of the region (the Karratha 20/20 Vision; Newman Tomorrow; Hedland’s Future Today; The Pilbara Plan; and the Shire of Ashburton Plan for the Future) and include a number of projects including $35million towards the development of an underground power network in the Pilbara.”

The Minister said the State Government would seek Federal Government and Industry funding to supplement the revitalisation plan. 

Mr Grylls said the Revitalisation Plan included $2.5million for health equipment and $2.5million for a water feasibility study to look at using water resources in the Pilbara to expand primary and secondary industry in the region.

“For example, the future development of irrigated agriculture precincts could create a regional economy that includes horticulture, forestry, fibres, biofuels, hay, increased livestock production and meat processed in local abattoirs,” he said.

The Royalties for Regions program would also contribute $60.896million from 2010-11 to 2012-13 to ensure construction of the Albany Hospital and funding of $15.458million in the same period to build the Kalgoorlie Hospital.

In recognition of high fuel costs and limited transport options in regional areas,  an amount of $12.5million has been allocated in 2009-10 as part of an $80 million program to 2008-09 to 2012-13 for a Country Age Pension Fuel Card to provide age pensioners in the country with $500 of fuel and taxi travel.

It is estimated that up to 35,000 aged pensioners will benefit from the Fuel Card.

“Royalties for Regions has delivered a program that allows communities to plan for sustainable social and economic opportunities into the future by putting back the money that regional WA generates.” Mr Grylls said.

WA Budget statements are available at http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/