Western Australia's Kimberley 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 Kimberley projects funded in the 2016-17 State Budget through Royalties for Regions and forward estimates released today include:
- $12.2 million from the Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative for Water for Food projects, including Mowanjum Pastoral Lease Irrigation Trial, Knowsley Agricultural Area water investigation, La Grange - West Canning Basin: Groundwater for Growing Opportunities, and Bonaparte Plains - Ord East Kimberley Expansion
- $8.9 million to develop Northern Beef Futures in Broome
- $8.2 million for the Kununurra Courthouse
- $5.9 million for the West Kimberley Transitional Housing Program
- $22.1 million over four years for the new Kimberley national parks and the Great Kimberley Marine Park.
State-wide investment totalling $3.78 billion across the forward estimates will benefit the Kimberley region in the following categories:
- Health - including Renal Dialysis Service Expansion and Ear Health program
- Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture - including Water for Food, Asian Market Success, Northern Beef Futures and WA Open for Business
- Culture and the arts - including Regional Film Fund and Creative Regions Program
- Aboriginal development initiatives - including Regional Youth Justice program
- Tourism - including the Western Australian Caravan and Camping Action Plan, Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program and Aboriginal Tourism Development Program
- Community support services - including Country Age Pension Fuel Card, Regional Workers Incentives Scheme and Telecommunications
- Education - including Boarding Away from Home Allowance
- Rangelands reform - proposed amendments to the Land Administration Act 1997
- Regional services reform - to create better education, health, social wellbeing and job outcomes for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote WA.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the Royalties for Regions investment would build infrastructure to grow the Kimberley, develop economic opportunities and improve targeted social programs.
"The Government has made responsible decisions to ensure Kimberley communities continue to thrive, develop and contribute to the State's economy. Work will continue this year on the new Broome Road Industrial Park and the rollout of the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy," 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 Kimberley 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 State Government has provided $872 million for regional investment through Royalties for Regions in 2016-17
More than $400 million has been invested through the West Kimberley and East Kimberley Revitalisation Plans to improve the regional economy and support regional communities
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
