- 2025-26 State Budget delivers on Cook Labor Government's vision for regional WA
- More than $10 billion invested in the regions
- Significant investments in health, community safety, education and housing
- More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions Program
- Ensuring people living in regional Western Australia have access to the infrastructure and services they need
The Cook Labor Government is delivering its vision for the Gascoyne, with the 2025-26 State Budget providing significant investments in health services and infrastructure, community safety, housing, transport infrastructure and community services.
Billions of dollars will be delivered to the regions, supporting the Cook Government's commitment to Western Australians, that no matter if they live in our suburbs, regional centres, towns, or remote communities, they will have local job opportunities, and access to major services and infrastructure.
The Budget will help keep costs down for Gascoyne families with billions of dollars in rebates and concessions, and household fees and charges being kept affordable with below inflation increases for a sixth consecutive year.
More than $4 billion in Royalties for Regions funding will also go towards projects which enhance regional communities, ensuring they remain exceptional places to live, work and raise a family.
Western Australians in the Gascoyne will benefit from the Cook Government's $121 million investment in regional health and mental health infrastructure and services. This includes:
- $12.2 million over for a Virtual Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Hub for rural and remote areas of WA; and
- $8.2 million to establish GP ASK to connect WA GPs to dedicated and experienced specialists without the need for patients to travel to a hospital.
The 2025-26 State Budget delivers cost-of-living support with rebates and concessions for people across the Gascoyne, including:
- $3.5billion over the next fouryears to keep regional water and power prices in line with metropolitan prices;
- $337 million towards the WA Residential Battery Scheme, providing Horizon customers with up to $7,500 towards the cost of a household battery, plus households with incomes of less than $210,000 per annum can access no-interest loans of up to $10,000;
- $88.7 million in cost-of-living relief to families for school expenses, including $250 for every secondary student and $150 for every primary and kindergarten student, through the second round of the Western Australian Student Assistance Payment;
- $25.7 million to deliver a further $100 increase to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, bringing the total card value to $775 per year;
- $28 million to expand the School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfasts five days a week at more than 650 schools, including in the Gascoyne;
- $8 million for the Country Week Assistance Program, reducing travel and accommodation costs for families; and
- $18.5 million to increase the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) fuel subsidy from 26c per kilometre to 40c per kilometre.
More than $219.7 million has been committed to boost regional education infrastructure, upgrades and builds as well as early education and outside of school care support for families across WA. Key initiatives include:
- $30.3 million for the School of Isolated and Distance Education to support more students learning in regional Western Australia;
- $29 million to trial nation-leading free full-time, school-based kindy;
- $15 million to boost before and after school care in schools;
- $10 million to establish a program to boost capacity in public school canteens through grants for canteen staff, equipment and minor facility upgrades; and
- more than $4million as part of the government's small commitments to support minor works and noninfrastructure projects at more than 70 public and nongovernment schools.
Around $277 million will be invested to deliver Vocational Education and Training, career and employment advice, and TAFE support services across regional WesternAustralia. This includes:
- $11.6million for another round of the TAFE Modern Equipment program to enhance facilities and infrastructure assets in the regions; and
- $8.6million to deliver feefree TAFE-housing construction courses, upskilling the local workforce to build regional houses.
The Cook Government's budget will deliver investments in regional housing measures. Key commitments include:
- $25 million over four years for the Regional Housing Support Fund which will provide grants of up to $5 million to support new housing and land supply across regional WA, supporting regional subdivision and providing additional support to key worker and community housing projects;
- $103.8 million in funding to deliver more Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) homes for essential government workers in the regions; and
- $13.7 million for regional staff accommodation costs to attract and retain staff in regional areas.
Securing the Gascoyne's water future is a priority for the Cook Government, with the government continuing to deliver:
- $2.5 million towards planning for a new water source to secure Exmouth's future drinking water supply.
Regional roads and transport infrastructure will continue to be upgraded, with investment in key projects including:
- $250 million to expand the Regional Road Safety program to include local government roads, delivering road safety treatments including sealing of road shoulders and the installation of audible lines, making more regional roads safer; and
- $8.3million to progress options analysis on the future of the State's freight rail infrastructure.
The Cook Government is focused on diversifying regional economies, delivering more jobs and powering WA on clean energy. This includes investments of:
- $20 million to expand the Aboriginal Ranger Program; and
- $13.5million to undertake network connection works required for a new 50 per cent renewable power generation station.
The 2025-26 budget will continue to build safe and strong regional communities with key initiatives, such as:
- more than $480million perannum for services provided by the WesternAustralia Police Force's regional districts, including 123police stations and around 1,900police officers and staff;
$390million perannum on court and tribunal administration in the regions, community corrections, and the operation of the State's eight regional prisons (and workcamps);
- $14.3million to redevelop a WesternAustralia Police Academy accommodation block, which will be used to provide free accommodation to regional recruits to encourage people living in regional areas to become police officers;
$3.5 million for expansion of the Community Emergency Services Managers program;
- $3.1 million towards a new State Bushfire Mitigation Branch to undertake mitigation works on unallocated Crown land and unmanaged reserves;
- $3 million to continue an uplift in baseline funding to financial counselling services across the State, including the Carnarvon Financial Counselling Service; and
- $1 million to PCYC for youth diversion programs in Carnarvon.
The Cook Government's Budget will also support local industry and amenity, community activities, sport and recreation across regional WA. Some of the projects and initiatives include:
- $25.2million to establish a Regional Racing Fund for key infrastructure upgrades at up to 24 racing, harness, turf and trotting clubs, including $455,000 for upgrades at Carnarvon Race Club;
- $115.6 million to build a new Ningaloo Reef tourism hub and boating facility at Exmouth's Tantabiddi Boat Ramp to support recreational and commercial users, improve safety and the overall visitor experience at this drawcard tourist destination;
- $6 million to establish the Boosting Women's Sport and Girls' Participation fund to encourage women and girls to get involved in community sport; and
- $4 million to establish the Veterans Facilities fund to help RSL and veterans' organisations upgrade their local facilities and RSL clubs.
The Cook Government's 2025-26 State Budget delivers another strong surplus for Western Australia, and with debt levels remaining affordable, puts WA in the best position to invest in what matters for all Western Australians.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Gascoyne Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The Cook Government is committed to delivering its vision for the Gascoyne to ensure communities right across this vast but vibrant region can thrive.
"Our Gascoyne region is home to some of the world's most spectacular natural attractions drawing visitors from all corners of the globe, and its diverse local industries continue to be important contributors to the Western Australian economy, delivering reliable local jobs.
"We are committed to strengthening the opportunities in this drawcard region, so it continues to be a great place for people to work, live and visit.
"Our 2025-26 Budget will see billions of dollars invested in our regions, driving economic growth, diversifying regional economies, and creating jobs for our future generations.
"We want to make sure that no matter where they live, all Western Australians have access to the services and infrastructure they need."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"The Cook Government understands the Gascoyne, the importance of the region, and the desire of those of us who live here to build communities that support jobs, businesses, and families.
"I am pleased that the government is delivering its vision for the Gascoyne, with significant investment across community services that benefit Gascoyne residents and major infrastructure projects that benefit the Gascoyne and the State."
