Budget 2011-12: Supporting the Kimberley, Duncan
Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 20-May-2011
Member for Mining and Pastoral Wendy Duncan said the 2011-12 State Budget handed down yesterday included $301.6million in funding to support and help build the Kimberley region.
Ms Duncan said that continued investment of Royalties for Regions funds into diverse projects across the Kimberley region demonstrated the ongoing commitment that the Liberal-National Government has to improving infrastructure, facilities and services for regional people.
Some specific projects funded in the Budget with use of Royalties for Regions funds that would benefit the Kimberley region include:
· $10million in Royalties for Regions funding to establish the Aboriginal Community Emergency Response Fund. Ms Duncan said this fund would be used in situations such as was recently experienced in Warmun, where heavy flooding destroyed the Community earlier this year.
· $7million of Royalties for Regions funding towards the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy over the next four years. This would see implementation of tourism initiatives identified in the Strategy, including the identification and development of nature-based and cultural tourism opportunities.
· Royalties for Regions will also allocate $40million over the next four years to a Regional Events Program. This will facilitate and raise the profile of regional events, and assist regional communities to develop, attract and market major events.
· An ongoing commitment to regional education through the Regional Schools Plan announced in 2009/10. This will see upgrades to Derby District High School and Broome Senior High School in the 2011/12 period.
· $9million of Royalties for Regions funding over the next three years towards the Aboriginal Justice Education Program. Key components of the Program are Enhancement of Victims of Crime Services ($3million) and the Enhanced Driver Training for regional Indigenous Communities ($6million).
· A further $20million allocated in 2011/12 to improve services through the Patient
Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS), Royal Flying Doctor Service, Rural Generalist Pathways
and St John Ambulance.
Ms Duncan said that there were also other significant projects, such as the Ord Scheme Stage 2, with a total investment of $117.5million of Royalties for Regions funding, the Broome Boating Facility, which would receive $18.8million through Royalties for Regions and $47.7million for continued work on the West Kimberley Regional Prison in Derby.
Ms Duncan was particularly pleased to see funding earmarked for improvements to education facilities in the region.
“The standard of education facilities in the regions, and access to higher education for remote students is the key factor in why people are not willing to remain living, working and making their homes in our regional areas. The Nationals in government are investing substantial funds to redress this, with upgrades to schools and the student accommodation throughout the regions,” she said.
Ms Duncan was also pleased to see that the budget offered unprecedented support to vulnerable and disadvantaged West Australians through the $1billion Social Services Package in the 2011-12 State Budget.
“The government focus on the not for profit sector and in particular to people with disabilities, is long overdue. In the past there has just not been enough to go around to help the most vulnerable in our society – those with disabilities or mental health issues. It is imperative that the essential and very dedicated workers in this sector receive just reward for their labours as they have the ability to multiply the tax-payers dollar several fold and, until now, have been seriously undervalued,” Ms Duncan said.
“The ability of these organisations to continue and grow is now assured by this historic funding decision.”
Ms Duncan said that further details of the 2011-12 Budget could be found at www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au which includes and itemises the total investment of Royalties for Regions throughout the State.
