State Budget invests in the Pilbara region, Catania

Author: Vincent Catania
Published on: 20-May-2010

A new $150million Nickol Bay Hospital for Karratha will form an important part of an almost billion-dollar investment into the Pilbara Region from Royalties for Regions over the next four years.

The member for the North West Vince Catania said that $977million would have been invested into the Pilbara region to the end of 2013-14 through Royalties for Regions, revitalising towns and addressing the lack of services and infrastructure.

“This is the vision of the Liberal-National Government for the Pilbara Cities project and the delivery of a new Nickol Bay Hospital is just the beginning of making the Pilbara a vibrant community.” Mr Catania said.

“To encourage people to live and work in the Pilbara the Nationals WA have delivered on their election commitment to provide funding for the Regional Workers Incentive Scheme with $110million being provided over the next four years.”

“This will provide our essential workers with the necessary wages to encourage them to consider long term employment and to live in the Pilbara region.” Mr Catania said

Mr Catania said the Liberal- National Government announced in the budget that $310million, including $20million in 2010-11, would be provided by Royalties for Regions to partner with the Australian Government and the private sector including mining companies and indigenous corporations, on major infrastructure projects to address the development of the region.

“There are many more projects in the Pilbara now becoming a reality since the introduction of the Royalties for Regions scheme that allows communities to plan for sustainable social and economic opportunities into the future.” Mr Catania said.

The Pilbara region will benefit from other projects announced in the 2010-11 budget including:
• New Nickol Bay Hospital – ($3.5million)
• Rural Generalist Pathways – Junior Doctors training – ($0.073million)
• St John Ambulance Services country WA – ($5.3million)
• Pilbara Cardio Vision Program – ($0.5million)
• Jigalong Essential Services Pilot – ($6million)
• Remote Indigenous Health Clinics – ($6million)
• Pilbara Revitalisation Phase 2 – ($58.96million)
• Pilbara Infrastructure Australia (State contribution) – ($20million)
• Regional Workers Incentive – ($25.7million)
• Roebourne Housing initiatives – ($5million)
• Northern Towns Development Fund – ($7.5million)
• Pilbara and Kimberley Youth Justice Services Expansion – ($2.97million)
• Regional Schools Plan – ($20.5million)
• Orange School Bus initiatives – ($3.2million)
• Clontarf Colleges - Newman-Roebourne – ($1.6million)
• Better Beginnings – Early Literacy – ($0.62million)
• Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme – ($5million)

Continuing projects include
• Country Local Government Fund –($101.7million)
• Pilbara Underground Power – ($89.07million)
• Karratha Service Workers Accommodation –($28.4million)
• Housing for Workers – South Hedland Town Revitalisation – ($20.12million)
• West Pilbara Water – ($7.1million)
• Pilbara Health Partnership – ($5.29million)
• NASH (Ngarluma Aboriginal Sustainable Housing) – Roebourne – ($4.5million)
• Royal Flying Doctor Service – ($9.3million)
• Patient Assisted Travel Scheme – ($9million)
• Country Age Pension Fuel Card – ($23.5million)
• Boarding Away from Home Allowance ($1.85million)
• Community Resource centres – ($12million)
• WA Indigenous Tourism Operators Committee – ($0.33million)

Mr Catania said it was also pleasing to see that the budget also allocation of $120.3million over three years to expand the State’s mobile phone coverage on the State’s highways.

“The shortcomings of mobile telephone coverage on the State’s major regional highways need to be improved and Royalties for Regions funding will provide $8.3million in 2010-11 to expand mobile phone coverage to address black spots.” Mr Catania said.

“The program will also include $80.3million over four years to upgrade communications systems for regional police and emergency services.”

“The Royalties for Regions program is delivering on its promise to revitalise the Pilbara region and I am extremely pleased to see many projects now under way and the plans for many more to come.” Mr Catania said

For more information please contact Vince Catania MLA on 1800 627 668 or Vincent.catania@mp.wa.gov.au.