The McGowan Government’s strong investment in the Goldfields-Esperance region continues, with the State Budget funding vital job-creating projects and services to assist with the region’s recovery.
As part of the unprecedented $644 million WA Household Electricity Credit, households in the Goldfields-Esperance region will receive a $600 credit on their electricity bill by the end of the year.
This first-of-its kind announcement recognises that financial support and relief for Western Australians is important to help continue our recovery from the pandemic.
The region will also benefit from the McGowan Government’s major announcement to recruit 800 more police officers, on top of the 300 new police officers already being delivered.
This is the largest increase on record, and is expected to result in WA having the highest number of police officers per person of all States.
The Budget includes a total of $4.2 billion in Royalties for Regions funding across regional WA, and a $7.5 billion investment in infrastructure in the regions.
The McGowan Government continues to support vital services across regional WA, such as $239.8 million for regional school bus services, $1 billion to subsidise water costs for country users, and $200 million to support remote Aboriginal communities.
The Budget fully funds the suite of projects in the Goldfields-Esperance region announced as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, which is delivering support for businesses and households, and driving jobs and economic growth in the region.
The 2020-21 State Budget includes:
- $10 million to Central Regional TAFE’s Kalgoorlie campus for a new Heavy Plant and Engineering Trades Workshop to expand training for mechanic and engineering trades, tailored to support resource sector needs;
- $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with a variety of free courses available at Central Regional TAFE’s Kalgoorlie campus;
- $32 million to expand the Lower Fees, Local Skills program and significantly reduce TAFE fees across 39 high priority courses;
- $16.6 million towards the delivery of a new power station for Esperance;
- An additional $5 million to the Exploration Incentive Scheme in 2020-21 to help accelerate exploration investment in the Goldfields;
- $5 million through the Regional Road Safety Program to upgrade 275 kilometres of Goldfields-Esperance roads with shoulder sealing and installation of audible lines, creating around 25 local jobs;
- $3 million across the State for regional aviation support to ensure a minimum level of service to regional locations, including the Goldfields-Esperance region;
- $700,000 for upgrades to visitor facilities in national parks across the Goldfields-Esperance region including buildings, trails, camp sites and roads;
- $150,000 to upgrade the access road to Dunn Rocks beach/camp ground in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance;
- $400,000 to upgrade visitor facilities at Credo Station, Rowles Lagoon, Goongarrie National Park, Stokes National Park, Cape Le Grand National Park, Cape Arid National Park and Esperance Lakes Nature Reserves;
- $7 million to expand the capacity of the Joe Lord Core Library in Kalgoorlie that stores core samples that contain valuable geoscientific information for exploration companies and others seeking mineral discoveries;
- $10.2 million towards projects at Esperance Port to help expand the port and increase safety; and
- $600,000 to install a Battery Energy System in Menzies to allow more customers to install rooftop solar systems and reduce their power bills.
To view the full list of Goldfields-Esperance region WA Recovery Plan projects funded in the State Budget, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/Goldfields-Esperance-Recovery-Plan.pdf
The McGowan Government has a record of major investment in the Goldfields-Esperance region over the past four years. Projects currently underway or completed include:
- $40 million for the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway between Emu Rocks and Norseman including reconstructing, overlaying and widening sections;
- $24.8 million for upgrades to Great Eastern Highway between Anzac Drive and Gatacre Drive in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, created 110 jobs;
- $3.3 million widening and sealing of 11 kilometres of Great Eastern Highway between Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie;
- $18.34 million for South Regional TAFE’s new Esperance campus;
- $8 million to the Kalgoorlie City Centre project, which will help to transform central Kalgoorlie while driving local jobs and Aboriginal economic development in construction;
- $164.1 million for sealing priority sections of Outback Way;
- $1.6 million for the Woodlands Cultural, Community and Visitor Centre in Norseman;
- $1.3 million for the Great Beyond Visitor Centre in Laverton;
- $6.3 million to build an MRI suite at Kalgoorlie Health Campus;
- $12.5 million in funding towards the 10-bed Step Up/Step Down mental health facility in Kalgoorlie;
- $3.5 million towards the Leonora Ageing in Place project;
- Funded a new 64-slice CT scanner for Kalgoorlie Hospital;
- Delivered science labs to Hannans, O’Connor, East Kalgoorlie, Kalgoorlie, North Kalgoorlie and South Kalgoorlie primary schools;
- A new Family and Domestic Violence One Stop Hub to be located in Kalgoorlie;
- $3.25 million for upgrade to the Tjuntjuntjara Community Resource Centre;
- Invested $23.8 million for upgrades to the Tjuntjuntjara community housing and infrastructure;
- $9.8 million to Killarney Retirement Living for the construction of a new 45-unit independent village for aged pensioners;
- $1.07 million towards maintenance of the Goldfields Arts Centre;
- $1.9 million for upgrades to the Norseman airstrip;
- $4 million to the Laverton Community Hub upgrade to the aquatic centre;
- $6.9 million to upgrade Shed 4 at the Port of Esperance;
- $6.9 million for the State Barrier Fence Esperance extension;
- $4.78 million for the Esperance indoor sports stadium; and
- $1.46 million to drive local jobs in the Goldfields and Esperance through the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Goldfields-Esperance region households are big winners in the State Budget.
“Financial support and relief for Western Australians is important to help continue our recovery from the pandemic. That’s why we’ve taken the unprecedented step of giving households across WA a $600 credit on their electricity bill this year.
“We know that the pandemic has been extremely challenging for many in our community, and this assistance will make life a little easier for local families.
“I’m also pleased to announce that the local community will benefit from our major boost to police officers. This is the largest increase on record, placing more officers out on the beat and keeping the community safe.
“The State Budget fully delivers on the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, which includes major upgrades to infrastructure and services in the Goldfields-Esperance region, driving economic recovery and creating a pipeline of local jobs.
“Even though COVID-19 caused the largest global economic shock in nearly 100 years, WA’s economic and financial position is better than first expected due to our world-leading response and border controls.
“By keeping WA safe and strong, Western Australia can recover from COVID-19, stronger than ever.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“The State Budget continues our record of investment in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
“The McGowan Government’s ongoing guarantee to deliver Royalties for Regions ensures Western Australians have access to quality services, no matter where they live.
“For the past four years, we have been focused on creating local jobs, delivering our election commitments in the region, and ensuring we continue to improve local infrastructure and services like hospitals and schools.”
