The Cook Labor Government is delivering its vision for the Great Southern, with the 2025-26 State Budget providing significant investments in health infrastructure, mental health services, community safety, housing and community services.
Billions of dollars will be delivered to the regions, supporting the Cook Government's commitment to Western Australians, whether they live in our suburbs, regional centres, towns, or remote communities, they will have access to local job opportunities, major services and quality infrastructure.
The Budget will help keep costs down for WA 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 living in the Great Southern will benefit from the Cook Government's $121 million investment in the region's health and mental health infrastructure and services. This includes:
- $12.4 million for the establishment and operation of a residential Great Southern Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre;
- $12.2 million over for a Virtual Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Hub (VICAMHS) for rural and remote areas of WA;
- $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; and
- $1 million to commence planning a 30-bed ward delivered via innovative modular technology at the Albany Health Campus.
The 2025-26 State Budget is investing in the transport infrastructure that our regional communities need to stay connected, including $250 million over five years to expand the Regional Road Safety Program to local roads across the State and the following key initiatives in the Great Southern:
- $25million to commence road enhancements on sections of South Coast Highway between Cheyne Road and Kojaneerup;
- A further $11.5 million for upgrades to Albany Regional Airport, bringing the State's contribution to the project to $14 million;
- $10.8million to undertake planning work for the Port of Albany general purpose berth project;
- $8.5 million towards stage one of the signalised pedestrian crossings program, including on North Road, near Beaufort Road, to cater for students at John Calvin School in Albany; and
- $8.3 million to progress planning and negotiations to bring the Freight Rail Network back into Government hands.
The 2025-26 State Budget delivers cost-of-living support with rebates and concessions for people across regional WA, 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 Synergy customers with up to $5,000 towards the cost of a household battery, combined with the Commonwealth scheme, plus households with incomes of less than $210,000 per annum can access no-interest loans of up to $10,000;
- $152 million to cap public transport fares at the cost of a one-zone ticket including TransAlbany bus services;
- $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;
- $28 million to expand the School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfasts five days a week at more than 650 schools, including in the Great Southern region;
- $25.7 million to deliver a further $100 increase to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, bringing the total card value to $775 per year;
- $18.2 million to halve Transwa fares including bus services connecting towns in regional WA, including across the Great Southern;
- $18.5 million to increase the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) fuel subsidy from 26c per kilometre to 40c per kilometre; and
- $8 million for the Country Week Assistance Program, reducing travel and accommodation costs for families.
The Cook Government's Budget will deliver a $1.4 billion investment to support housing and homelessness measures. Key regional housing initiatives include:
- $103.8 million in funding to deliver more Government Regional Officer Housing homes for essential government workers in the regions;
- $25 million for the Regional Housing Support Fund that will provide grants of up to $5 million to support new housing and land supply across regional WA, assisting with a wide range of costs, with local government projects and regional subdivisions eligible;
- $13.7 million for regional staff accommodation costs to attract and retain staff in regional areas; and
- $825,000 to support planning for an additional 2,500 affordable homes in McKail North, Albany.
The Cook Government has committed $219.7 million to boost regional education infrastructure, as well as a range of measures to support families across Western Australia, including for early education and outside of school hours care. Key initiatives include:
- $42 million for the first tranche of minor works for schools across the State, including $400,000 to upgrade the carpark at Denmark Primary School;
- $30.3 million for the School of Isolated and Distance Education to support more students learning in regional WesternAustralia;
- $29 million to trial nation-leading free full-time, school-based kindy, which includes $2.3 million for minor infrastructure upgrades to five regional pilot sites;
- $15 million to boost before and after school care in schools;
- $10million for additional transportable classrooms in regional schools;
- $8.6 million to facilitate a range of infrastructure works in the regions as part of the New Schools and Maintenance Vision commitment; and
- $8million for the Country Week Assistance Program to support regional students participating in Country Week events.
About $277 million per annum will be invested to deliver Vocational Education and Training, career and employment advice, and TAFE support services across regional WesternAustralia, with further investment of $65 million towards regional TAFE projects. This includes:
- $11.6million for another round of the TAFE Modern Equipment program to enhance facilities and infrastructure assets in the regions;
- $8.6million to deliver fee-free TAFE-housing and construction courses, upskilling the local workforce to build regional houses; and
- $2.4million through the Adult Apprentice Incentive Scheme to cover the wage gap for employers engaging apprentices aged 21 years and over.
The 2025-26 State Budget will continue to build safe and strong regional communities with key initiatives, such as:
- $20 million to expand the Aboriginal Ranger Program;
- $3.5 million for expansion of the Community Emergency Services Manager program; and
- $3.1 million towards a new State Bushfire Mitigation Branch, including 12 additional staff.
The Cook Government is focused on diversifying regional economies, delivering more jobs and powering WA on clean energy. This includes investments of:
- $6.7million for the Grain Harvest Program and aerial fire response capability including the establishment of two strike teams;
- $6 million to double the State Government's contribution to the Wine Industry Partnership to help grow the volume of WA wine exports, particularly into the east coast market;
- $5.9 million for the Great Southern region dry season carting;
- $3.5 million for expansion of the Community Emergency Services Manager program with six new positions across regional WA, to help local governments deliver emergency management services;
- $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 Great Southern District Financial Counselling Services; and
- $825,000 for the McKail North Urban Master Plan Albany.
A commitment of $33.3 million to support family and domestic violence (FDV) victim-survivors has been included in the Budget, including:
- $11.5 million to deliver the Safe at Home program to seven additional locations, including several in regional Western Australia; and
- $1.4 million to support planning and business case development for the expansion of Albany and Geraldton refuge capacity, and further expansions of FDV refuges at five locations across the State.
The 2025-26 State Budget will also support local industry, community activities and recreation across regional WA. Some of the projects and initiatives include:
- $93 million towards the first tranche of sport and recreation infrastructure upgrades across the State including $400,000 towards upgrading the safety wall and catch fence at Albany Speedway;
- $25.2million to establish a Regional Racing Fund for key infrastructure upgrades at up to 24 racing, harness, turf and trotting clubs, including:
- $3.8 million for Albany Racing Club;
- $853,000 for Albany Harness Racing Club;
- $200,000 for Mt Barker Turf Club; and
- $77,000 for Pingrup Race Club.
- $6 million to establish the Boosting Women and Girls Participation in Sport fund to encourage women and girls to get involved in community sport;
- $4 million to establish the Veterans Facilities fund to help RSL and veterans organisations upgrade their local facilities and RSL clubs;
- $3.5 million to deliver upgraded facilities at William Bay National Park, including pedestrian access to Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool and to realign the Munda Biddi Trail;
- $1.5 million towards the construction of a further four courts and lighting at Albany Regional Tennis Centre;
- $1.3 million for medical facilities at all Karting WA clubs, including $100,000 for Albany City Kart Club; and
- $200,000 to plan an all-abilities fishing jetty in Albany.
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 Great Southern Minister Reece Whitby:
"The State Budget reinforces the Cook Government's commitment to helping make a positive different to the lives of people in the Great Southern.
"This Budget has been formed to build on our strengths to maintain our strong economic growth
"Western Australia's regions are the heart of our State, and this government is committed to seeing them thrive.
