The McGowan Labor Government is setting the Peel up for the long-term – diversifying the economy and creating jobs, boosting regional health and mental health, and providing important cost-of-living relief for local households.
The 2022-23 State Budget includes a record $12 billion investment in regional infrastructure – only eight per cent of which is being delivered through Royalties for Regions.
Royalties for Regions expenditure is more than $4.2 billion over the next four years, and includes $263 million in regional election commitments and other new initiatives.
Western Australia’s strong financial position also gives the State Government the capacity to boost regional health and mental health investment by $158.3 million – in addition to $1.6 billion of State-wide COVID-19 response and recovery measures, including free RATs for regional communities.
Cost of living support includes the $400 Household Electricity Credit for WA households across the State, which will see household fees and charges decline by 3.8 per cent – the third consecutive year fees and charges have been kept below projected inflation.
More than $2 billion will be invested to keep regional water and electricity costs in line with what metropolitan users pay.
A total of $541.3 million will be invested to continue to fund regional school bus services around the State, with $48.6 million to establish the Regional Digital Connectivity Program to improve mobile and internet coverage in the country.
About $1.5 billion per year will be invested to provide regional students with access to quality education – including $349.2 million for refurbishments, upgrades and new builds at country primary and secondary schools over the next four years.
Regional WA TAFEs will share in around $200 million a year for vocational education and training, career and employment advice, and TAFE support services.
To keep the community safe, more than $410 million a year will be invested in WA Police’s regional districts.
The 2022-23 Budget will continue the McGowan Government’s work to diversify the Peel economy, create local jobs and support tourism, and includes:
- $21.1 million boost to Tourism WA’s Destination Marketing to encourage tourists to come to WA and travel across the State;
- $17.7 million to Tourism WA to develop new tourism experiences in WA’s national parks;
- $480,000 for the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council;
- Additional $80 million to the Investment Attraction Fund to attract new industries and economic diversification across the State, bringing the total to $180 million;
- Additional $50 million to the Industrial Land Development Fund, to develop industrial ready land across the State, bringing the total to $100 million;
- $25 million for the Western Australia Agricultural Collaboration to grow agriculture research and development in WA;
- Bringing regional road maintenance jobs in-house to Main Roads, securing 490 jobs in regional WA; and
- $4.5 million boost to the Local Capability Fund to assist local businesses to increase their capability and competitiveness.
The McGowan Government’s significant investment in regional health and mental health continues, with:
- $30.1 million for 18 additional paramedics and six ambulances across regional WA, delivering on a key election commitment;
- $18.5 million to expand Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services across regional WA;
- $5.1 million to continue the Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service to ensure regional residents can access mental health services; and
- $6.1 million funding boost to the Preventing Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder project.
The State Budget also includes important investment in education and training in the Peel, including:
- $113.1 million of fee reductions will be achieved in regional WA through the successful Lower fees, local skills initiative;
- $2.4 million to attract international students to live and study in regional WA, addressing skills needs in aged care, disability services, childcare, hospitality and tourism;
- $4.5 million for a new tool rebate to support building and construction apprentices and trainees in their purchase of trade-related tools and safety equipment;
- $5.1 million for a wage-gap program to support the new apprenticeship pathway and boost civil construction skills; and
- $42.5 million for State-wide COVID-19 measures in schools, including enhanced cleaning programs, mask and PPE supplies, and Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) distribution.
The 2022-23 State Budget brings continued investment in regional roads and transport projects, including:
- $250 million for the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation Stage 1 and 2;
- $146 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program in regional WA;
- Around $200 million for the Resealing Program in regional WA;
- Almost $60 million for the Clean Energy Car Fund;
- $1.5 million to expand the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) taxi service grant scheme, including a new Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant Scheme to expand taxi services to people of all abilities in regional WA; and
- An additional $159 million to the Regional Road Safety Program to upgrade shoulders and install audible edges on regional roads, bringing the total to $828 million.
The 2022-23 State Budget will ensure Peel communities are kept safe and strong, with important investments in:
- $11.1 million to expand the Target 120 family support model, including to Mandurah;
- $11 million for a Large Air Tanker to be permanently based in regional WA during bushfire season for the first time;
- $15.9 million upgrade to the Emergency WA website to ensure critical information in emergency situations is more easily accessible;
- Additional $2 million to Community Resource Centres to help provide important services to regional communities;
- $3.9 million to upgrade the Direct Brigade Alarms Network across WA;
- $3.1 million for the Bushfire Framework review to improve bushfire preparedness;
- $99.4 million for Government Regional Officers’ Housing (GROH) across regional WA; and
- $2.5 million towards Operation Regional Shield to tackle youth crime in regional WA.
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As stated by Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan:
“The State Budget is investing in the Peel’s future – diversifying the regional economy, keeping WA fair and creating local jobs for the long term.
“WA’s strong financial position enables us to provide important cost of living support for Peel families, while continuing to pay down debt and keep the State’s finances healthy.
“We are providing a major boost to regional health and mental health, ensuring there are more doctors, nurses and resources in the Peel, with continued funding to manage COVID-19.
“The WA Jobs Plan is working to support thousands of new jobs in regional WA, with millions of job-creating investment in tourism, agriculture and emerging industries.
“Our record investment in regional infrastructure, ongoing commitment to Royalties for Regions and quality service delivery will ensure the Peel continues to be a terrific place to live.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“The State Government is continuing to focus on strengthening and diversifying opportunities for Peel communities.
“We are working hard to support and grow established sectors like resources and primary industries, while providing important investment so the Peel can capitalise on new economic opportunities.
“Our record investment in regional infrastructure and strong focus on country health and economic diversification is making sure the Peel is well placed to prosper into the future.”
As stated by Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
“The McGowan Government’s strong financial management and stewardship through the global pandemic has allowed us to support new infrastructure and job-creating projects for the Peel region.
“By attracting investment and maximising its impact, we are able to build a skilled workforce for the future.
“More police on the streets, targeted intervention for at-risk youth and significant investments in education and training will ensure our community is well placed for future opportunities.”
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
“Securing funding in the Budget for the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage deviation is a major win for our community. It will get trucks off local roads, make our streets safer and support new job-creating opportunities for local people.
“Our Government’s careful financial management is enabling strong investment in local health, police and schools – as well as continued cost of living relief to help with the household budget.”
As stated by Dawesville MLA Lisa Munday:
“The State Budget is focused on what matters most in the Peel region – strong investment in health, schools, police and local training.
“We are making sure our responsible financial management provides benefits for all Western Australians, creates jobs and sets the State up for the future.”
