Western Australia's Goldfields-Esperance region is set to benefit from the State Government's investment in the areas of health, community support services, education, Aboriginal development, agriculture, tourism and the arts.
Treasurer Mike Nahan said the State Budget would continue to build a stronger economy in 2016-17 that attracted investment and created jobs and opportunities for people living and working in regional WA.
Specific Goldfields-Esperance projects funded in the 2016-17 State Budget through Royalties for Regions and forward estimates released today include:
- $133.9 million over four years for the Goldfields-Esperance Revitalisation program for projects such as Boulder City Station Rail Development ($3.3 million) and the Goldfields Arts Centre ($300,000)
- $16.1 million to expand and redevelop Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School
- $36 million for Great Eastern Highway passing lanes
- $4.4 million for the Regional Emergency Telehealth project
- $532,000 towards the Forward to Fellowship program.
State-wide investment totalling $3.78 billion across the forward estimates will benefit the Goldfields-Esperance region in the following categories:
- Health - including Patient Assisted Travel Scheme and Telehealth
- Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture - including WA Open for Business and WA's Biosecurity Defence, Asian Market Success, and Boosting Grains Research and Development Support
- Culture and the arts - including Regional Film Fund and Creative Regions Program
- Aboriginal development initiatives - including Ear Health program
- Tourism - including Road Coach Replacement, Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program and Regional Events Program
- Community support services - including the Regional Grants Scheme, Enhanced Prescribed Burning program and Telecommunications
- Education - including Boarding Away from Home Allowance
- Rangelands reform - proposed amendments to the Land Administration Act 1997
- 10 new mobile phone towers will be built in the Esperance region in the next two years under the Mobile Black Spot Program and Regional Telecommunications Project.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the Royalties for Regions investment would build infrastructure to grow the Goldfields-Esperance region, develop economic opportunities and improve targeted social programs.
"The Government has made responsible decisions to ensure Goldfields-Esperance communities continue to thrive, develop and contribute to the State's economy," Mr Redman said.
"We must look to secure our State's future and provide opportunities for industry growth that supports local jobs and creates long-term benefits for regional communities.
"Not only does Royalties for Regions provide better infrastructure and services for regional communities, it also builds regional economies, which is good for the entire State."
In addition, the Goldfields-Esperance region also has the opportunity to access funding from the $642 million allocated over the next four years to implement major economic, social and community development projects that arise from Regional Investment Blueprints.
Fact File
The Stage Government has provided $872 million for regional investment through Royalties for Regions in 2016-17
$64 million has been invested through the Goldfields-Esperance Revitalisation Initiative since its inception in 2013-14
Since 2008, the State Government has invested $6.9 billion into more than 3,700 Royalties for Regions-funded projects and programs, including transfers to the Future Fund and other Special Purpose Accounts
Treasurer's office - 6552 5700
Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6700
