Inland Country health – Big Budget winner, Waldron
Author: Terry Waldron
Published on: 23-May-2011
Local Nationals Member for Wagin Terry Waldron said the investment through Royalties for Regions of $538million to strengthen medical care and services in rural communities in our southern region was the greatest single investment in regional health care in WA’s history.
“This initiative will also for the first time in the state’s history tackle head on the lack of country doctors, targeting an extra 44 for inland country WA,” Mr Waldron said.
“The package will also see significant investment and upgrade to Narrogin and Katanning District Hospitals to provide a more extensive range of services and enhanced emergency response plus increased primary health services,” he said.
Mr Waldron said small local hospitals and nursing posts would also be boosted by extra support and refurbishments.
“The community has made it clear that what they value most is a safe and effective emergency service and access to a GP. This package will deliver that,” Mr Waldron said.
“This will be supported by visiting specialists and health practitioners backed by “e” technology such as Telehealth,” he said.
Mr Waldron also outlined other benefits in the Budget for our region including $100million over 4 years for regional schools, including
$7million over 3 years for Narrogin SHS
$2million over 2 years for Katanning SHS
$5.7million for completion of Narrogin Ag College trade centre,
$1.7million to Clontarf College in Katanning
$12.5million for regional work camps including Gnowangerup
$150million over next 3 years for new homes for most in need
$26million this year for Country Age Pension Fuel card
$54million for skills training
$339million to capital works in Regional WA to improve quality of power supplies
$85million for super towns in 2011/12 for planning & implementation of projects to stimulate economic growth
$10million for regional events programme
$152million for country local government fund
Plus many other initiatives for our region and country WA.
“A total of $6.1billion under Royalties for Regions has been allocated and is in the final estimates for Country WA from 2008/09 to 2014/15 with $1.2billion approved in 2011/12,” Mr Waldron said.
“This sees real delivery of infrastructure programmes, projects and the many other initiatives that continue to drive country WA,” he said.
Mr Waldron said this was an outstanding Budget for Country WA and would provide better living standards and a greater quality of life for Country West Australians.
