The McGowan Government has unveiled a multi-million dollar package for the Gascoyne region as part of the WA Recovery Plan to drive economic and social recovery and create a pipeline of local jobs.
The Gascoyne Recovery Plan is focused on getting locals back to work and includes a significant investment in sectors including construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, education and training and agriculture.
It will deliver a pipeline of short and long term jobs supporting and strengthening our existing industries, as well as laying the foundation for jobs of the future.
The plan also includes a significant investment in infrastructure and programs to drive tourism and create jobs.
The McGowan Government's revamped Buy Local policy will ensure local businesses are in the box seat to carry out this work. The plan includes:
- $7 million for immediate measures to assist with access to the Carnarvon fascine while also finalising and implementing a long term plan;
- $1.3 million towards planning for the redevelopment of the Tantabiddi Boat Ramp facility in Exmouth, to cater for recreational tourists and separate commercial use;
- $1.47 million to upgrade wastewater services to allow for the expansion of the Coral Bay Caravan Park;
- $2.65 million for significant upgrades to visitor access and facilities in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, near Denham including upgrades to:
- visitor facilities at Monkey Mia including constructing interpretive trails and features and improving dolphin viewing facilities;
- vehicle access and visitor facilities at Steep Point including improving the four-wheel drive access track, new campground infrastructure and the installation of a renewable power supply;
- vehicle access and visitor facilities in Francois Peron National Park including improvements to Peron homestead, and new facilities at Cape Peron and Big Lagoon;
- visitor facilities at Shell Beach Conservation Park including new toilets, shade shelters and interpretation;
- $1.2 million for upgrades to visitor access and facilities in the Ningaloo Coast World
- Heritage Area, near Exmouth including:
- Constructing the new Over the Range walk trail in Cape Range National Park;
- Upgrading visitor facilities and services in Cape Range National Park, including new facilities at Oyster Stacks, new interpretation and building improvements to the Milyering Visitor Centre and new visitor services at the park headquarters;
- Upgrading vehicle access in Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) Coastal reserves and upgrading park services in Coral Bay;
- $6 million for the Regional Aviation Recovery program to ensure affordable airfares for residents and tourists including between Perth and Exmouth to stimulate visitation between July and October 2020; and
- $3 million in total for regional aviation support to ensure a minimum level of service to regional locations Monkey Mia and Carnarvon.
Strengthening Western Australia's health and community infrastructure is a vital component of the WA Recovery Plan:
- $18.8 million towards operating regional renal hostels including a service in Carnarvon;
- $1.85 million for upgrades to sobering up centres including in Carnarvon;
- $8.32 million for upgrades to air conditioning at police stations in regional WA including Burringurrah Police Station;
- $14 million to widen Minilya-Exmouth Road in Exmouth;
- $6 million towards the realignment of Yardie Creek Road in Exmouth;
- $116 million for the Regional Land Booster Package that will make residential, commercial and industrial lots more affordable including residential lots in Carnarvon and Denham and industrial lots in Carnarvon;
- $4.7 million through the Regional Road Safety Program to upgrade 78 kilometres of Gascoyne roads with shoulder sealing and installation of audible lines, creating around 120 local jobs;
- $2.01 million towards the Police radio network at regional locations converting from analogue to digital including across the Gascoyne;
- $80 million State-wide for targeted maintenance programs for regional social, remote and government workers housing properties, including approximately 100 homes across the Gascoyne and Mid-West regions;
- $141.7 million to refurbish social, remote and government workers housing across WA's ageing housing stock, including approximately 80 homes in the Gascoyne and Mid-West regions; and
- $3.81 million to regularise the electricity network in remote communities including Woodgamia, making it safer and more reliable.
As well as supporting existing industries, the Gascoyne Recovery Plan includes a focus on driving investment in renewable energy and new technologies, to create sustainable jobs.
It includes Installing Battery Energy Storage Systems to allow more customers to install rooftop solar systems and reduce their power bills, including $7.8 million for Exmouth, $5.8 million for Carnarvon and $600,000 for Gascoyne Junction.
Gascoyne residents will also benefit from the McGowan Government's $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with the Job Ready Basics Skill Set being offered from Central Regional TAFE's Carnarvon campus, and $32 million to expand the Lower fees, local skills program and significantly reduce fees across 39 high priority courses.
The Gascoyne region will also benefit from a range of State-wide programs included in the WA Recovery Plan. For more information, visit http://inthistogether.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"I thank each and every member of the Gascoyne community for their efforts and sacrifices during the pandemic.
"We must remain vigilant, but our work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 means we are in a strong position to continue the process of recovery.
"The Gascoyne Recovery Plan will drive economic and social recovery in the region, to ensure it can recover stronger than ever.
"It will create a pipeline of short and long term jobs for locals and deliver huge improvements to local infrastructure and services."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Our Gascoyne Recovery Plan will help the region continue its bounce-back from the COVID-19 pandemic, creating local jobs and supporting the local economy.
"Western Australians have visited the Gascoyne in record numbers over the last few months, and our investment in upgrading tourism infrastructure up and down the coast will help to cement the Gascoyne's plan as a tourist mecca for locals.
"Delivering on a long-term solution to open up the Carnarvon fascine puts to bed a long-held issue for the local community, and will be a relief for Carnarvon boaties."
