The Goldfields-Esperance region is set to benefit from Royalties for Regions investment in the areas of health, community support services, education, Aboriginal development, agriculture, tourism and the arts.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC said the 2016-17 State Budget would continue to build a stronger economy in the region with initiatives to attract investment and create jobs and opportunities for regional families, businesses and communities.
Specific Esperance-Goldfields projects funded in the State Budget through Royalties for Regions and forward estimates released this week included:
- $133.9 million over four years for the Goldfields-Esperance Revitalisation program for projects such as Boulder City Station Development ($3.3 million), the Goldfields Arts Centre ($300,000), the expansion and redevelopment of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School ($16.1 million) and the new Great Eastern Highway passing lanes ($36 million)
- $4.4 million for the Regional Emergency Telehealth project
- $532,000 towards the Forward to Fellowship program.
State-wide Royalties for Regions investment totalling $3.78 billion across the forward estimates will benefit the Goldfields-Esperance region in the following categories:
- Health – including Patient Assisted Travel Scheme and Telehealth
- Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture – including WA Open for Business and WA’s Biosecurity Defence, Asian Market Success, and Boosting Grains Research and Development Support
- Culture and arts – including Regional Film Fund and Creative Regions Program
- Aboriginal development initiatives – including Ear Health program
- Tourism – including Road Coach Replacement, Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program and Regional Events Program
- Community support services – including Regional Grants Scheme, Enhanced Prescribed Burning Program and Telecommunications
- Education – including Boarding Away from Home Allowance
- Rangelands reform – proposed amendments to the Land Administration Act 1997
- 10 new mobile phone towers will be built in the Esperance region in the next two years under the Mobile Black Spot Program and Regional Telecommunications Project.
Mr Grills welcomed the initiatives outlined in the State Budget.
“The State Government, through The Nationals WA’s flagship Royalties for Regions program, continues to invest in infrastructure to grow the Goldfields-Esperance region, develop economic opportunities and improve targeted social programs,” Mr Grills said.
“Royalties for Regions is helping to build regional economies, making for vibrant and sustainable regional communities.”
The Goldfields-Esperance region will also have the opportunity to access funding from the $642m allocated over the next four years to implement major economic, social and community development projects that arise from Regional Investment Blueprints.
For media enquiries contact Dave Grills MLC on 0417 888 868 or email dave.grills@mp.wa.gov.au
