- State Budget delivers cost of living relief for regional Western Australians
- Major investments into regional health, housing, jobs and training
- Multi-billion-dollar package to transform WA's energy system for a cleaner, stronger future
- New funding for justice, youth and police initiatives to build safer, stronger communities
- More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions program
The McGowan Government is delivering for the Goldfields-Esperance, providing cost of living support for Goldfields-Esperance residents while investing significantly in health, housing, and Western Australia's transition to cleaner, stronger, reliable, and affordable energy.
The 2023-24 Budget features a massive $11.2 billion investment in regional infrastructure as well as billions more in regional service delivery.
The State Budget includes $4 billion in Royalties for Regions expenditure over the next four years towards initiatives that strengthen regional communities and ensure services remain close to where people live.
Regional Western Australians will benefit from the McGowan Government's $715 million commitment to deliver further cost of living relief, including providing every WA household with a $400 electricity credit and additional targeted support totalling $826 for households who need it most.
As part of its commitment to keeping power and water affordable for all Western Australians, the McGowan Government will spend $2.7 billion over the next four years to subsidise the costs of providing water and electricity to regional residents.
To continue to ease cost of living pressures in the regions, the McGowan Government will deliver a $20.7 million boost to meet increased demand for the highly successful Regional Airfare Zone Cap, providing affordable airfares for regional residents.
The McGowan Government is delivering a record $2.7 billion additional investment into WA's health system, with the 2023-24 State Budget featuring a significant investment into regional health and mental health, including:
- more than $2.2 billion per annum on regional health and mental health services;
- $28.5 million for initiatives to attract and retain key health and mental health professionals, primarily to work in regional WA, with priority given to hard-to-staff sites;
- $24.4 million to extend the Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service, providing 24/7 mental health support and allowing country doctors to make referrals whenever needed;
- $8.2 million to upgrade WA Country Health Service staff housing, including safety and security upgrades in the Goldfields;
- $6.3 million to extend regional cancer services; and
- an additional $6.7 million towards Regional Renal Support Teams.
The 2023-24 State Budget strengthens the McGowan Government's record investment into housing, including:
- boosting the commitment to refurbish and deliver Government Regional Officer Housing by $61.6 million;
- $49 million to partner with community housing providers to provide 100 social homes across regional WA in a supported landlord model for rough sleepers;
- $450 million into the Social Housing Investment Fund to deliver more social housing across the State; and
- $12 million over four years to deliver more development ready land throughout regional WA, through the Regional Development Assistance Program.
The 2023-24 State Budget is a major investment into WA's future, tackling climate change through a $3 billion package, ensuring the State has cleaner, stronger, reliable, and affordable energy into the future as well as investing in protecting the environment. Goldfields-Esperance initiatives include:
- $2.7 billion investment to transition WA's energy system for a low-carbon future;
- upgrades to Western Power's east region network as part of a $126 million investment to kickstart the energy grid's transition to net zero and facilitate the green energy boom;
- $7 million to expand the Southern Rangelands Revitalisation project, supporting pastoralists in the Goldfields to manage climate change impacts;
- $22.2 million to assist industry transition to the mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification (eID) system to bolster WA's animal biosecurity defences;
- $20.2 million to extend vital drought resilience initiatives helping future-proof Western Australian farms;
- $2.2 million to deliver an Electric Vehicle Smart Charger and Vehicle-to-Grid trial through Horizon Power; and
- $10.4 million to boost WA's emergency animal disease preparedness following overseas outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease.
The McGowan Government's 2023-24 State Budget continues to deliver on the WA Jobs Plan, diversifying regional economies, creating new jobs for the future and developing a pipeline of skills in the regions. Key Goldfields-Esperance initiatives include:
- $40 million Sustainable Geoscience Investments package to accelerate critical minerals discoveries, ensuring WA is well-placed to grasp economic opportunities as the world works towards a net zero future;
- $6.5 million to implement the Western Australian Aquaculture Development Plan;
- $2 million from the New Industries Fund to support regional entrepreneurs in the innovation sector;
- $6.8 million for upgrades at Agricultural Colleges around the State;
- $2.5 million to increase the travel accommodation allowance for regional TAFE students; and
- $2.9 million to provide a weekly allowance for regional students studying a Diploma of Nursing.
The McGowan Government continues its record investment into regional roads and transport projects, including:
- a further $407 million on regional road projects and initiatives being invested in this Budget, bringing the total investment over the next four years to $5.3 billion;
- a $175 million boost to the jointly Commonwealth-State funded Regional Road Safety Program, to continue to deliver life-saving works on regional roads;
- $7.4 million for road upgrades at Esperance Port;
- $6.5 million for upgrades to cranes at Esperance Port;
- $17.4 million for major technology upgrades at the Southern Ports Authority.
The 2023-24 State Budget will help to build safe, strong and fair regional communities, with initiatives in the Goldfields-Esperance including:
- $11.7 million to extend Operation Regional Shield, continuing to deliver police into regional communities experiencing youth crime issues;
- $11.7 million to continue the Target 120 rollout across the regions, including in Kalgoorlie;
- $6.2 million for the Kalgoorlie family and domestic violence (FDV) one-stop hub;
- $1.1 million to continue the Respectful Relationships Teaching Support Program and the provision of culturally appropriate services for victims of FDV in regional areas;
- $10.4 million to enhance the Banned Drinkers Register, including across Goldfields towns;
- $5.8 million to extend the successful Driving Access and Equity Program to deliver driver training to disadvantaged young people;
- $4.9 million to continue the Regional Athlete Support Program to help regionally-based talented athletes meet their full potential;
- An additional $42.6 million for upgrades to water and wastewater systems in remote communities; and
- $700,000 to continue the Rural, Regional and Remote Network program to support regional women.
The McGowan Government will also invest $77 million to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in WA, including support for new Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services.
This year's Budget builds on the diverse range of projects and programs already underway in Goldfields-Esperance, including:
- $10 million for a new workshop and upgrades to Central Regional TAFE's Kalgoorlie campus, under construction;
- $28 million to deliver a new Laverton Hospital;
- $1 million for a STEM classroom upgrade at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School;
- $150 million over the next four years towards sealing Outback Way; and
- $5 million towards the upgrade of the Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium, currently under construction.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"This Budget continues our record of delivering for the Goldfields and Esperance - helping to ease cost of living pressures and investing in the region's future.
"My Government is investing a record amount into regional infrastructure, and delivering a significant boost for health and housing in the regions.
"We are committed to keeping the community safe in the Goldfields, with our Budget including important investments into regional policing and programs targeting at-risk young people.
"Our regions have enormous potential to benefit from the transition to a prosperous low-carbon future, and our investments will deliver cleaner, stronger, reliable and affordable energy for the regions for generations to come.
"WA's responsible financial management provides the opportunity to make significant investments in what matters to Western Australians, while keeping the Budget in a strong position for future generations.
"Our WA Jobs Plan is working, creating long-term jobs across the State, while diversifying WA's economy, driving new job opportunities in high tech manufacturing, clean energy, agriculture, tourism and defence industries."
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"Goldfields-Esperance is a major economic driver not only for the State, but for the whole country.
"That's why we're investing heavily in the region through the 2023-24 budget, and funding initiatives that will drive further benefits to the community and the local economy.
"We're also delivering initiatives to ease cost of living pressures, improving community safety and making access to vital healthcare easier for our Goldfields and Esperance communities.
"Our significant regional investment continues in the 2023-24 State Budget, with $11.2 billion committed to the regions to deliver important projects and improve lives across the State."
Comments attributed to Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"The McGowan Government is getting on with delivering on the issues that matter to people in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the wider Goldfields.
"This State Budget features major investments for the regions, and importantly, provides cost of living relief for Goldfields families and households.
"We're diversifying our regions to strengthen regional economies and upskilling local people through significant investments in training - setting up our State for the future."
Premier's office - 6552 5200
Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6900
