State Budget 2011-12: Supporting our Community; Building the State (Mid-West), Grylls
Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 20-May-2011
More than $69.3 million in infrastructure investment will support the Mid-West community and help build the region.
Treasurer Christian Porter today announced a $442million surplus in the 2011-12 State Budget, reflecting the ability of the Liberal-National Government to deliver projects and provide better services throughout the State while maintaining a solid record of disciplined financial management.
“The State Government has embarked on the biggest ever infrastructure program in Western Australia’s history through planned investment to build the State and make real changes to ensure our prosperity continues for future generations,” Mr Porter said.
“We have made strong decisions to deliver targeted spending on quality services and improved value for money to support communities across WA.
“Importantly we have provided a $1billion Social Services Package in this year’s budget to support those people most in need throughout the State.
“The 2011-12 State Budget provides social initiatives and planned infrastructure investments in the Mid-West region to support the livelihood and well-being for the entire community.”
Major projects funded this year in the Mid-West region include:
· $220 million from the Royalties for Regions’ Midwest Investment Plan for major infrastructure projects and initiatives. $36.4million to build and upgrade schools including, $23.4million to complete construction of Dongara District High School and $5.8million to complete the Trade Training Centre at Geraldton Senior College
· $5.3million to complete construction of the three mega litre water storage tank at White Peak
· $4.2million for construction on the Mount Magnet Police Station
· $4million to increase transfer rate of the Nanson Rd tank and the Hall Rd tank in the Geraldton region
· $2.75million to upgrade and maintain critical mooring infrastructure and airstrips in the Abrolhos Islands.
Record investment in regional WA will continue with $1.2billion budgeted through the Royalties for Regions program in 2011-12.
Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said that since the creation of Royalties for Regions in 2008 the Liberal-National Government had allocated $6.1billion to programs that were making regional WA a better place to live, work and invest.
“A major component of the Royalties for Regions program is to deliver improved social infrastructure. This year’s initiatives are investing in regional health, education, skills training, water and Natural Resource Management (NRM), Aboriginal initiatives and SuperTowns,” Mr Grylls said.
“By 2015 Royalties for Regions will have allocated more than $1billion towards health services and infrastructure in regional areas including an investment of $538million to strengthen medical care and services in rural communities in the southern part of WA. This is the greatest single investment in regional healthcare in WA’s history.”
In addition, major Budget initiatives to benefit all of regional WA include:
Community sector funding
· $604million in the forward estimates to address the current funding shortfall in service agreements with the not-for-profit sector.
Health
· $169million to regional WA health infrastructure in 2011-12, with $571 million in the forward estimates period. Royalties for Regions will provide $63.4million in funding, in 2011-12, for regional health infrastructure projects.
· $75million in the next five years State-wide to deliver the State Government’s plan to employ all graduating domestic medical interns and address the medical workforce shortage in WA.
· $1million in Royalties for Regions funding toward Regional Men’s Health.
Education
· $1.6billion invested in primary and secondary education infrastructure in the forward estimates period.
· $52million to air-cool all schools within four years.
· $2million for the Royalties for Regions Boarding Away From Home Allowance program.
· $3.9million from Royalties for Regions toward the Orange School Bus initiative.
Social Housing
· $150.7million in the next three years for 284 new homes for those most in need in our community – people significantly impaired by disability or mental illness or those dealing with drug and alcohol related issues.
· $45.4 million in the next four years for the provision of accommodation support services by the Disability Services Commission, the Mental Health Commission, and the Drug and Alcohol Office.
Disability Services
· $400,000 per year for the next four years to the Motor Industry Foundation for the modified vehicles program to increase the overall quality of life for people with disabilities and their families/carers.
Families
· $6.1million increase in the Hardship Utilities Grant Scheme, taking the total funding in coming years to $10.1million.
· $51million in the next four years to ensure the safety of children and young people by responding to increases in demand for core child protection services, increasing prevention and early intervention programs for at-risk families and improving outcomes for children and young people in care.
· $1.2million toward Youth Focus – to provide free counselling to young people at risk of depression and suicide.
· $20million towards ‘Sport for All’, which includes as an Australian first, programs to keep WA children active, resilient and healthy.
Seniors
· Senior’s Cost of Living Rebate to increase to $150 for singles and $225 for couples.
· Expansion of the Seniors Card eligibility criteria to allow seniors to work up to 25 hours per week and still qualify for the entitlements offered to Seniors Card holders.
· Royalties for Regions funding of $96.6million for the Country Age Pension Fuel Card with $26million in 2011-12.
Aboriginal Services
· Additional $1.3million in 2011-12 for the continuation of the Aboriginal Community Patrols.
· $1.7million in Royalties for Regions Funding toward Clontarf College.
· $8.5million across three years in Royalties for Regions funding towards the Aboriginal Justice Education Program to provide enhanced services to victims of crime and enhanced driver training in regional Aboriginal communities.
· $10million in Royalties for Regions funding to establish the Aboriginal Community Emergency Response Fund.
· $12.2million in Royalties for Regions funding to the Department of Corrective Services for the Regional Workcamp Enhancement Project.
Road Safety
· Increasing the amount of speed and red light camera revenue provided to the Road Trauma Trust Fund to two-thirds in 2011-12 and to 100 per cent from July 2012.
· $2.1million for two new breath and drug testing buses, fulfilling another election pledge.
Training
· $33.4million in 2011-12 for 12,046 additional training places across the State. Royalties for Regions will also allocate $110.6million toward skills and training facilities in regional WA with $40.2million in 2011-12.
Power
· Horizon Power will invest $339.9million on capital works in regional WA to improve the quality of electricity supplies to customers in remote and regional areas.
Farm Business Planning
· $8million in 2011-12 to the Farm Business Planning Program.
Environment and Water
· More than $3.6billion is allocated in the forward estimates on essential projects recognising the ongoing need for major water and wastewater infrastructure developments.
· $78.2million in the next four years from Royalties for Regions funding to achieve results in water for industry and economic development.
