Upgraded health services and substantial new housing are the big deliveries for the Kimberley region in the Lawrence Government's 1992-93 Budget.
North-West Minister and Kimberley MLA Ernie Bridge said both initiatives would not only provide important services for the community, but would create vital employment opportunities.
He said $6.2 million had been allocated for construction of 64 new Homeswest units in the region, including:
· Broome - six pensioner, 24 family and five single units;
· Kununurra - two pensioner, six family and four single units;
· Derby - six pensioner, six family and four single units; and
· Wyndham - one family unit.
In health services, $377,000 had been allocated for upgrading Wyndham Hospital, $105,000 for improvements to Kununurra Hospital, and $120,000 for improvements to Numbala Nunga Nursing Home in Derby. Following completion of Stage 3 of Derby Regional Hospital, a further $415,000 had been allocated for redevelopment and upgrading of the hospital's kitchen.
A new child care centre would also be built in Broome, community mental health services introduced in Broome and Derby, and three more child health nurses appointed in the Kimberley region.
Mr Bridge said the services provided by Aboriginal environmental health workers would be extended in the Kimberley, and further training provided for Aboriginal health workers based in Broome.
In the field of education and training, the `First Steps' early literacy programs would be introduced in Kimberley primary schools to help students having difficulty with language and mathematics, and courses in hospitality, business and management would be offered through Nulungu and Hedland Colleges.
Voluntary pre-primary schooling for five-year-olds would be introduced at selected schools.
Mr Bridge said Aboriginal affairs, community services, agriculture and the environment also received considerable attention in last week's Budget.
He said $200,000 was allocated for establishment of an Aboriginal Health Promotion Unit in Broome, and $226,000 for an Aboriginal Education and Training Centre at Bungarun, Derby, to initially train education and health workers.
Funding was also made available for completion of the management plan for the Purnululu Bungle Bungle National Park and the establishment of new environmental protection measures and tourist facilities.
A further $196,000 would go to Aboriginal youth projects in Broome, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra, and $175,000 to continue the Country Young Offenders Preventative Program in Broome, Derby, Halls Creek and Kununurra.
Money to improve community/Government facilities includes $350,000 to build a sobering-up shelter at Fitzroy Crossing, and further funding for the Halls Creek sobering-up shelter.
In agriculture, eradication and control programs for Noogoora burr, feral donkeys, brucellosis and tuberculosis would continue, while $1.3 million would be spent on research and development of the Kimberley pastoral industry.
Other Budget initiatives include the restructuring of fees and charges for Kimberley ports, support for international air services in the North-West, and $40,000 for the Broome planning taskforce and further development of the pearling industry.
