Delivery of essential services, information and activities to regional and remote communities will continue thanks to a $56 million State Government Royalties for Regions investment in the Western Australian Community Resource Network (WACRN).
Consisting of 106 Community Resource Centres (CRCs), the WACRN provides a physical community hub for the delivery of government services and information as well as community development activities to approximately 50,000 people in regional and remote areas of the State, each month.
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron MLA said communities in the Wagin electorate that relied on the availability of services through CRCs, would benefit significantly from the continued funding, which was announced on Thursday.
“This considerable State Government investment will see the ongoing stability and security of these important community services,” Mr Waldron said.
“This funding will assist the 20 local CRCs in the electorate.”
The CRCs in the Wagin electorate are located at – Boddington, Bremer Bay, Dumbleyung, Frankland River, Gnowangerup, Jerramungup, Katanning, Kulin, Lake Grace, Mt Barker, Newdegate, Ongerup, Pingelly, Pingrup, Tambellup, Wagin, Wandering, West Arthur (Darkan), Wickepin and Williams.
Nationals WA candidate for Roe Peter Rundle said CRCs had been operating since 1991, originally as Telecentres, and today act as shop fronts for many government services such as driver and licensing services for the Department of Transport, the Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink and Medicare.
“The State’s CRCs employ up to 450 people, and more than 1700 people are engaged in voluntary roles assisting in the management and day-to-day operations,” Mr Rundle said.
Mr Waldron said: “Through this significant Royalties for Regions investment, operation and expansion of these community hubs will continue and locals will still be able to access essential government services close to home.”
CRCs also deliver essential services and information to regional and remote communities with average populations of just under 1000 people, including 10 in remote Aboriginal communities.
Since 2009, Royalties for Regions has invested more than $90 million to support the development and expansion of the WACRN network.
For media enquiries contact Terry Waldron on 9881 1225 or email terry.waldron@mp.wa.gov.au or Peter Rundle on M: 0418 959 810, E: peter.rundle@nationalswa.com
