The McGowan Government is delivering its plan for the Pilbara 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 Budget includes funding for important, job-creating infrastructure and programs in the Pilbara, including:
- $310 million for the ongoing construction of Karratha-Tom Price Road;
- $1.33 million towards the Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre and Tourism Precinct at Conzinc Bay;
- $649,000 for the implementation of the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy to monitor, manage and protect the unique rock art on the Burrup Peninsula;
- $12 million State-wide injection to Tourism Western Australia to expand promotion of WA overseas;
- A 12-month extension for Utah Point pricing relief to support junior iron ore miners in the region;
- $24.1 million in ongoing State-wide funding for the 'WA Open for Business' program to promote export opportunities for regional businesses;
- $19.9 million for the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment program;
- $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
- $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.
The McGowan Government is committed to delivering community services to people across regional WA, including in the Pilbara region. The Budget includes:
- $42.5 million in additional State-wide funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan, including $20.1 million for the North West Drug and Alcohol Support Program to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Mid-West, and $914,000 to increase training for Aboriginal staff in alcohol and other drug services;
- $13.8 million for specialist services, including obstetrics, as part of the Pilbara Health Initiative, to enable patients to be treated closer to home;
- $1.3 million for the construction of a renal unit at Newman Hospital;
- $8.6 million to support the Karlarra House residential aged care facility in Port Hedland;
- $6.5 million for the Aboriginal Community Connectors program to improve community safety, and reduce community consequences of alcohol and other drugs and related 'at risk' behaviours;
- $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;
- $11.3 million to support and expand sustainable service delivery of PCYCs across the State to reduce juvenile offending and improve community safety;
- $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; and
- The introduction of the new Regional Taxi Transition Fund.
The McGowan Government is delivering its plans for the Pilbara and progressing its election commitments. Initiatives that are already underway in the Pilbara include:
- $46 million for the Newman Health Service Redevelopment;
- $21.5 million to continue delivery of Regional Youth Justice Services in the Pilbara and Kimberley;
- $7.8 million for the demolition and remediation works at the Nickol Bay Hospital Site;
- $5.3 million towards redevelopment of Tom Price Hospital;
- $85 million in funding towards the Port Hedland marina and waterfront development;
- $19.8 million towards the Pilbara Aboriginal Town Based Reserves project;
- $14.8 million towards the step up/step down mental health facility in Karratha;
- $18.7 million State-wide for the Aboriginal Rangers Program to provide jobs looking after State parks and protected areas;
- $5.5 million for the Transforming Agriculture in the Pilbara initiative;
- $3.6 million towards enhancing educational outcomes in the Pilbara;
- $65 million across regional WA to continue to support Community Resource Centres; and
- $170.5 million across regional WA to continue the Country Age Pension Fuel Card and $5.1 million for the Volunteer Fuel Card.
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 the Pilbara, to create jobs and provide local families with the services they need.
"The Budget includes significant funding for the Pilbara, including a boost to local health services and funding to progress the Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre and Tourism Precinct.
"It also includes $42.5 million in additional funding for the Methamphetamine Action Plan, including $20.1 million to reduce the impact of alcohol and other drugs in the region.
"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 Pilbara to support job creation, grow the local economy and support families in the region."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The Pilbara is absolutely critical to our State's prosperity, and our Government is investing in the important projects and services the Pilbara region needs.
"This Budget continues our investment in driving economic diversification and local job opportunities in the Pilbara.
"Our strong focus on tourism, through the Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre and Tourism Precinct at Conzinc Bay and the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy, will help to open up new economic opportunities for Aboriginal people in the Pilbara."
