Western Australia’s Kimberley 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 Kimberley with initiatives to attract investment and create jobs and opportunities for regional families, businesses and communities.
“The Royalties for Regions program is delivering record investment to the Kimberley in order to help the region realise its full economic and social potential,” Mr Grills said.
“I am glad that funding will continue for a range of important initiatives designed to improve economic opportunities and quality of life in Kimberley communities.”
Specific Kimberley projects funded in the State Budget through Royalties for Regions and forward estimates released this week included:
- $12.2 million from the Seizing the Opportunity in Agriculture for Water for Food projects, including Mowanjum Pastoral Lease Irrigation Trial, Knowsley Agricultural Area water investigation an, La Grange – West Canning Basin: Groundwater for Growing Opportunities, and Bonparte Plains – Ord East Kimberley Expansion
- $8.9 million to develop Northern Beef Futures in Broome
- $8.2 million for the Kununurra Courthouse
- $5.9 million for the West Kimberley Transitional Housing Program
- $22.1 million over four years for the new Kimberley national parks and the Great Kimberley Marine Park
State-wide Royalties for Regions investment totalling $3.78 billion across the forward estimates will benefit the Kimberley region in the following categories:
- Health – including Renal Dialysis Service Expansion and Ear Health Program
- Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture – including Water for Food, Asian Market Success, Northern Beef Futures and WA Open for Business.
- Culture and arts – including Regional Film Fund and Creative Regions Program
- Aboriginal development initiatives – including North West Drug and Alcohol Support Program and Regional Youth Justice Strategy
- Tourism – including the Western Australian Caravan and Camping Action Plan, Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program and Aboriginal Tourism Development Program.
- Community support services – including Country Age Pension Fuel Card, Regional Workers Incentives and Telecommunications
- Education – including Boarding Away from Home Allowance
- Rangelands reform – proposed amendments to the Land Administration Act 1997
- Regional Services reform – to create better education, health, social wellbeing and job outcomes for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote WA
The Nationals WA Candidate for the Kimberley Rob Houston 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 Kimberley, develop economic opportunities and improve targeted social programs,” Mr Houston said.
“Royalties for Regions is helping to build regional economies, making for vibrant and sustainable regional communities.”
The Kimberley 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
