Western Australia State Budget: major investment in the regions

​The 2020-21 State Budget provides strong investment in regional Western Australia. 

Tourism and hospitality

• $78.1 million for Stage 3 of Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront project, on top of the $34.4 million already invested in Stages 1 and 2
• $21.4 million for the Regional Aviation Recovery Program to ensure affordable airfares for residents and tourists in regional WA
• $3 million in total for regional aviation support to ensure a minimum level of service to regional locations
• $100 million for the Regional State Road Safety Improvement Program
• $121.6 million for priority upgrades and improvements across WA's regional ports
• $87.7 million for infrastructure upgrades at tourist destinations and natural attractions across regional WA
• $10 million to build the access road in Murujuga National Park to support the development of the Living Knowledge Centre and World Heritage Listing
• $7 million for immediate measures to assist with access to the Carnarvon fascine while also finalising and implementing a long-term plan
• $18 million for the construction of a 75-bed Aboriginal short stay accommodation facility in Geraldton, providing temporary accommodation for Aboriginal people visiting Geraldton
• $3 million towards construction of two new fast speed ferry jetties for passenger and commercial boats, including supporting new marine tourism ventures and tourism developments at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands
• $3.08 million to complete the final stage of the Margaret River Main Street Redevelopment Project, on top of the $5.5 million already invested into the project.

Sport and recreation

• $22.2 million for sport and community infrastructure in regional WA.

Art and culture

• $7 million to expand the capacity of the Joe Lord Core Library in Kalgoorlie that stores core samples containing valuable geoscientific information.

Training

• $125.3 million to upgrade TAFE campuses across regional WA
• $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with a variety of free courses available
• $32 million to expand the Lower Fees, Local Skills program and significantly reduce TAFE fees across 39 high priority courses.

Read the full media statement here.