Albany 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.
Nationals Member for the South West, Colin Holt MLC, said the State Budget would help to build a stronger economy in 2016-17 with initiatives to attract investment and create jobs and opportunities for regional families, businesses and communities.
Projects funded by Royalties for Regions in the Albany area in the 2016-17 State Budget include:
- $5.75 million Royalties for Regions investment in Centennial Park Sporting complex
- $20 million under the Regional Estuaries Initiative to restore the health and functionality of Oyster Harbour and 5 other South West estuaries.
- $1.5 million to establish a specialised food centre in Albany through the Seizing the Opportunity Food Industry Innovation initiative
State-wide Royalties for Regions investment totalling $3.78 billion across the next four years will also benefit Albany in the following categories:
- Health, including the Southern Inland Health Initiative, the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) and support for Aged Care in the South West;
- Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture – with an additional $50 million added to the fund to support ongoing initiatives such as WA Open for Business, Water for Food and Asian Market Success;
- Culture and the arts – Including the newly announced $16 million Regional Film Fund and continuing support for the Creative Regions Program;
- Tourism – Including the Regional Events Program, the WA Caravan and Camping Action Plan, Road Coach Replacement, the Aboriginal Tourism Development Program and the Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant program;
- Community support services – including the Country Age Pension Fuel Card, the Emergency Service Volunteers Fuel Card, the Community Chest Fund and the Regional Telecommunications Program;
- Education – including the Boarding Away from Home Allowance.
Mr Holt said the Royalties for Regions support would build infrastructure and develop economic opportunities with projects such as the Albany specialised food centre.
“The Nationals in Government have made responsible decisions to ensure regional communities continue to thrive, develop and contribute to the State’s economy,” Mr Holt said.
“Royalties for Regions investment is providing better infrastructure and services outside metro areas and developing regional economies, making for vibrant and sustainable regional communities.”
The Great Southern region also has the opportunity to access funding from the $642 million allocated over the next four years to implement major economic, social and community development projects that arise from Regional Investment Blueprints.
Fact File:
- Royalties for Regions is delivering $872 million in regional investment in 2016-17.
- $600 million will be invested through the Growing Our South Initiative to revitalise the Great Southern, South West, Peel and Wheatbelt.
- Since 2008, Royalties for Regions has invested $6.9 billion into more than 3,700 projects and programs, including transfers to the Future Fund and other Special Purpose Accounts.
WA Budget statements are available at http://ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
For media enquiries please contact Office of Colin Holt MLC on (08) 9724 1181
