The McGowan Government is delivering its plan for the Gascoyne region, with funding in the State Budget to create local jobs and support the local economy, while delivering important community infrastructure and services.
The 2019-20 State Budget includes $4.2 billion in Royalties for Regions funding across regional Western Australia.
More than $5.6 billion will be invested in regional infrastructure over the next four years.
WA's first budget surplus in five years, delivered two years ahead of schedule, has allowed the McGowan Government to deliver the lowest increase to household fees and charges in 13 years.
The Gascoyne region will benefit from the McGowan Government's strong investment in projects that will create jobs and deliver better community services in the region. The Budget includes:
- An additional $5 million to build the new 38-bed Carnarvon Aged and Palliative Care Facility, bringing the total budget allocation to $16.6 million;
- $2.5 million of additional spending to reopen the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre;
- $6.7 million for management and public recreation facilities for Ningaloo Coastal Reserve;
- $42.5 million in additional State-wide funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan;
- $12 million State-wide injection to Tourism Western Australia to expand promotion of WA overseas;
- $11.3 million to support and expand sustainable service delivery of PCYCs across the State to reduce juvenile offending and improve community safety, including a major redevelopment of the Carnarvon PCYC;
- $2.3 million package to combat elder abuse, including continued funding for the WA Elder Abuse Helpline;
- $8.1 million for the Suicide Prevention Strategy;
- $34.6 million for the roll-out of personal issue mobile smart tablets for police officers across the State;
- $15.4 million towards the roll-out of personal issue multi-threat body armour to frontline police officers across the State;
- $4.8 million for enhanced driver training and education for regional and remote communities;
- Investing an additional $713,000 to maintain regional bus services;
- $19.9 million for the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment program;
- The introduction of the new Regional Taxi Transition Fund;
- $182.4 million of State-wide funding for a new Employer Incentive Scheme and training delivery, including $45 million for regional WA. The scheme will help WA employers with the costs of employing apprentices and trainees;
- $131.5 million of additional State-wide expenditure to support agriculture in WA, grow export markets and create long-term jobs including $39.6 million for the Boosting Biosecurity Defences, Asian Market Success and Grains Research and Development support programs (in addition to $45 million for Grains Research and Development in the 2018-19 Budget); and
- $24.1 million in ongoing State-wide funding for the 'WA Open for Business' program to promote export opportunities for regional businesses.
The McGowan Government is delivering its plan for the Gascoyne and progressing its election commitments. Initiatives that are already underway include:
- $500,000 to complete the Gascoyne Food Bowl project and drive new opportunities in horticulture;
- $21.4 million to continue to deliver the Carnarvon Community College;
- $2.8 million on minor works at the Denham Water Treatment Plant;
- $2 million on inlet pipes at the Carnarvon Brown Range Water Tanks;
- $986,000 for the Carnarvon Rangelands Barrier Fence;
- $65 million across regional WA to continue to support Community Resource Centres;
- $18.7 million State-wide for the Aboriginal Rangers Program to provide jobs looking after State parks and protected areas;
- $170.5 million across regional WA to continue the Country Age Pension Fuel Card and $5.1 million for the Volunteer Fuel Card; and
- $1.8 million for redevelopment of Carnarvon Hospital.
For more 2019-20 State Budget information, visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The McGowan Government is continuing its strong investment in Gascoyne region, to create jobs and provide local families with the services they need.
"The Budget includes significant funding for the region that will see the delivery of the much-needed 38-bed residential aged and palliative care facility in Carnarvon and $42.5 million in additional funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan.
"Since coming to Government in 2017, we have worked hard to bring the Budget back under control while delivering important improvements to vital services like health and education across regional WA.
"We will continue to implement our plans for the Gascoyne region to support job creation, grow the local economy and support families in the region."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Our Government is committed to driving economic diversification and local job opportunities in the regions, playing to the Gascoyne's natural strengths in tourism and agriculture.
"Our funding to reopen the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre will provide a major tourism attraction for the region, while delivering business opportunities for local Aboriginal people.
"We're continuing our investment in important projects to drive horticultural and pastoral growth in the Gascoyne, including the Carnarvon Rangelands Barrier Fence and Gascoyne Food Bowl project."
