- Budget delivers real cost of living relief and housing in the Gascoyne region
- Cook Labor Government to invest $9.5 billion in infrastructure throughout regional Western Australia over the next four years
- More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions Program
- Cook Labor Government committed to delivering jobs, health, education, creating safe and inclusive communities, and protecting and restoring WA's environment
The Cook Labor Government is delivering for the Gascoyne in the 2026-27 State Budget through investments in health, housing, and jobs for the region, while providing significant cost-of-living relief for families.
As part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the Cook Labor Government will be investing in a range of measures to support the Gascoyne so it can continue playing its role in WA's nation-leading economy.
To support this vision, the following initiatives will help unlock and deliver more land supply, build thousands of homes, and help first home buyers get into the market in the Gascoyne:
- $1.6 billion for the construction and refurbishment of more than 1,800 social and affordable dwellings, 500 homes for first home buyers, land acquisition, and maintenance;
- participation in the Commonwealth's 100,000 Homes for First Home Buyers program, supporting the delivery of 11,000 dwellings over eight years reserved exclusively for first home buyers;
- $250 millionKeystart Presale Guarantee and $250 million First Home Buyer Commercial Financing Facilityto help developers meet presale thresholds and support more apartment and affordable homes project for first home buyers, to get off the ground sooner around the State;
- $297 million tax package to support first home buyers and boost housing supply, including first homeowner duty concessions, increased first homeowner grant cap, and an extension of the off-the-plan transfer duty concession;
- $127 million top-up to the Remote Communities Fund to deliver additional housing investment, undertake municipal works, and support essential infrastructure and services in remote Aboriginal communities;
- $50 million top-up to the Regional Housing Support Fund, increasing the fund's value to $75 million. The fund provides grants to support local housing and residential subdivision projects in regional WA;
- $48 million to boost modular housingand apartment construction capacity via investment in advanced manufacturing facilities in Kwinana and Neerabup. The facilities are expected to provide prefabricated housing and infrastructure to regional WA; and
- $5.6million to deliver six new houses in priority regional areas, with preference for new builds on Horizon Powerowned lots.
Real cost-of-living relief will be delivered to Western Australians living in the Gascoyne through a range of initiatives that provide financial support for households, with the Cook Labor Government committing $198 million for a $100 Fuel Support Payment available to those with a valid driver's licence.
A further $89.5 million will be invested to deliver a third round of the Western Australian Student Assistance Payment, which will provide $150 for each primary and kindergarten student and $250 for each secondary school student - including for the families of around 1,700 students in the Gascoyne.
Other cost-of-living relief measures funded as part of this Budget include:
- $36.4 million to continue free public transport for school students, including in Carnarvon;
- $35 million for a 10 per cent uplift to the Energy Assistance Payment, Dependent Child Rebate, and Air Conditioning Allowance;
- $14.5 million to establish a new Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card, offering concessions to carers providing a stable home and support to children and young people in outofhome care arrangements;
- $13.5 million to extend the WA Rent Relief Program; and
- continued investment in the Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme to keep airfares capped and affordable for eligible regional residents.
The Cook Labor Government's vision to diversify WA's nation-leading economy so that it remains the strongest in the nation will be secured in the Gascoyne through the following investments as part of the 2026-27 State Budget:
- more than $150 million in loans to manufacturers to improve energy efficiency and invest in advanced manufacturing equipment as part of the Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program;
- $124 million to continue lower fee and fee-free TAFE in 2027, including at the Carnarvon campus;
- $113.5 million for road maintenance across WA;
- $33.1 million contribution to the nationally co-ordinated Fuel Excise Relief Program, and a further $4.5 million for the deferral of heavy vehicle fee increases, supporting industry in the Gascoyne;
- $30 million to top-up the Investment Attraction Fund for a second round of grants through the New Energies Industries Funding Stream;
- $18 million to deliver Aboriginal tourism initiatives under the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030; and
- $1.4 million to deliver a second round of the Small Business Growth Grants Program.
The 2026-27 State Budget will ensure all regional Western Australians can access the healthcare they need, when they need it, through the following investments:
- $294 million additional investment in regional health infrastructure;
- $214 million for an uplift to WA Health's State-wide maintenance programs;
- $143 million for additional investment in medical equipment and imaging replacement program throughout WA;
- $68.6 million for the WA Country Health Service to maintain regional palliative care, renal care, cancer and eye services, and continued support programs;
- $49.8 million to continue the State's investment in the Child Development Services System Reform Program;
- $43.8 million to continue a funding uplift for existing community mental health and alcohol and other drug services;
- $29.7 million to continue and expand suicide prevention initiatives;
- $27.1 million to continue the free flu vaccine, FluMist, and RSV immunisation programs; and
- $4.1 million to expand the Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot project.
Quality infrastructure and services will also be supported through the Budget with the following investments to bolster schools throughout the Gascoyne:
- $219 million boost to school maintenance, benefiting schools in the Gascoyne;
- more than $100 million for targeted maintenance and minor works projects across WA, which includes work on roofs, hardcourts, and toilets, as well as additional investment in the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund;
- $310million uplift in funding to support students with disability at public schools;
- $15.7 million to expand access to training and support for staff working with students with disability;
- $7.7 million in response to high demand for swimming lessons, supporting the supply of swimming teachers, particularly in regional areas; and
- $815,000 to expand the Your Move Schools program to encourage students to walk, wheel, scoot, ride, and use public transport to travel to and from school.
The Cook Labor Government will continue building safe and inclusive communities, including $3.7 million to support continued operation of the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, Gwoonwardu Mia.
Other investments which will make Western Australians feel secure at home and at work in this Budget include:
- $421 million for child protection services, in addition to $52.4 million extra support for foster carers and grandcarers;
- $361 million for Foundational Supports - Thriving Kids services over the next five years, to provide support for children aged 8 and under with developmental delays or autism;
- $91.1 million funding boost for new and continuing homelessness services;
- $61.4 million to continue the Target 120 early intervention program, including in Carnarvon;
- $60.7 million for road safety awareness and education programs across WA;
- $44.6 million uplift in operational funding for family and domestic violence refuges and safe houses across WA, including in the Gascoyne;
- $37.7 million for the State-wide rollout of the Aboriginal Representative Organisations function as part of child protection decision-making;
- $31.2 million towards the fire and emergency fleet replacement throughout WA;
- $29.5 million uplift in resourcing for the Home Stretch WA service supporting young people as they age out of the child protection system, including in the Gascoyne;
- $24.2 million for WA Police to continue Operation Regional Shield in regional WA; and
- $20.3 million funding uplift for at-risk youth services around the State.
Protecting and restoring WA's environment so future generations can continue enjoying its economic and lifestyle benefits will be secured with the following investments:
- $52.9million to establish a Regional Water Source Fund for water source planning and investigation in regional Western Australia;
- $24.7 million to continue biosecurity and animal disease preparedness activities;
- $16million for the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia to implement and administer a clean energy and emissions research program;
- a further $8.5 million towards the Fisheries Support Package, including funding for an enhanced science program and upgrades to the FishCatchWA app; and
- $2.5million to support the Hamelin Pool boardwalk replacement project.
For more information, visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Wherever you live in Western Australia, this Budget delivers for Western Australians and keeps WA strong.
"The Gascoyne has been central to WA becoming the strongest economy in the nation and will be critical to our future economic success.
"That's why this Budget will help seize the big job-creating projects in regional WA, with investments in the economic infrastructure needed to expand our Seven Cities as hubs to provide quality services to the towns and remote communities within their regions."
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Labor Government is investing in the Gascoyne region to support strong local economies, quality frontline services, and more jobs opportunities.
"From health and housing to roads and cost-of-living measures, our government is working to deliver projects and outcomes that make a real difference in our regional communities
"Whether people live in one of our Seven Cities, a small town, or a remote community, this Government is committed to delivering for regional WA."
Comments attributed to Gascoyne Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The Cook Labor Government's 2026-27 Budget will see billions of dollars invested in our regions, driving economic growth, diversifying regional economies, and creating jobs for our future generations.
"Our government understands the importance of the Gascoyne region, both as a tourism drawcard and the food bowl of our State.
"We are funding the improvement and upgrade of facilities in the region, so it continues to be a great place for people to work, live, and visit.
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring the Gascoyne continues to build more thriving and inclusive communities."
Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"The Cook Labor Government continues to deliver for the Gascoyne by investing in health, housing, and jobs to support strong regional economy, while supporting key services and training to support local growth.
"I'm proud we're delivering practical cost of living relief for Gascoyne families, while boosting housing supply and investing in regional infrastructure to support local communities and ensure the region continues to play its role in WA's nation-leading economy."
