Cook Government delivering on what matters for the Goldfields and Esperance

• 2024-25 State Budget delivers cost of living relief for the Goldfields and Esperance
• Major investments in regional housing, health services and infrastructure
• Jobs and training to support stronger futures and diversify regional economies
• More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions program

The Cook Labor Government is doing what's right for the Goldfields and Esperance, with the 2024-25 State Budget delivering significant cost of living relief while investing in housing projects, upgrades to water and power infrastructure and outdoor attractions.

The 2024-25 State Budget is focused on WA's regions, with a record $12.8 billion investment in regional infrastructure, and billions more to fund regional service delivery.

More than $4 billion in Royalties for Regions funding will go towards projects which enrich regional communities, ensuring they remain great places to live, work and raise a family.

Western Australians living in the Goldfields-Esperance region will benefit from the Cook Government's massive $762 million investment in cost of living relief measures, which includes:

• $492.4 million to provide a $400 electricity credit for every WA household and eligible small businesses;
• $103.5 million WA Student Assistance Payment initiative, including a $25.8 million regional allocation, to provide $150 or $250 for every WA school student, easing the pressure of school expenses;
• $20.3 million to increase the value of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card by $100 to $675, reducing transport costs for eligible pensioners in the regions, and;
• $64.5 million in additional investment to continue the popular Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme.

This cost of living support to regional families is on top of the Cook Government's $3 billion commitment over the next four years to subsidise the cost of providing water and electricity to regional Western Australians, to keep services affordable for everyone.

The Cook Government is supporting improved and expanded housing options across the State, with a total investment of $1.1 billion in housing and homelessness services, including:

• $400 million for social and affordable housing projects, including in the regions;
• $60 million for a Regional Community Housing Grants Program, to support community housing providers to deliver new dwellings or refurbish existing dwellings;
• $43.8 million in additional investment for the Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) Program, to fund new builds and land acquisitions;
• $16.8 million to deliver the Kalgoorlie GreenView Estate project, which is unlocking land for housing at Karlkurla; and
• $9 million in additional funding for Housing First Support Services, including investment to roll out the Regional Supported Landlord Model in Kalgoorlie.

Health facilities will be upgraded, and programs to secure staff will be continued, to ensure Western Australians have access to world class healthcare, regardless of where they live. The Cook Government's $3.2 billion investment in health includes:

• More than $2.6 billion per annum in regional healthcare investment;
• $405 million to boost regional health service delivery, including $11.9 million to incentivise nurses and midwives to work in regional WA;
• $32.5 million to continue the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme, supporting those travelling for treatment;
• Additional funding to finalise contract negotiations with the Royal Flying Doctor Service;
• $8.6 million to expand child development services in the regions;
• $7.7 million to refurbish outdated staff accommodation; and
• $2.5 million to develop an extension plan for the Ronald McDonald House facility, supporting families travelling to Perth for medical treatment.

The Cook Government is focused on diversifying regional economies and creating quality local jobs. This includes investments of:

• $500 million for a new Strategic Industries Fund to transform WA's industrial areas into major job-creating hubs, including at Mungari;
• $324 million investment into the South West Interconnected System, to support WA's decarbonisation journey, provide certainty to investors, and unlock job-creating renewable energy projects;
• $18 million for 50 Stand-alone Power Systems to be installed in Esperance and the Mid West;
• $15 million for a business case to expand water supply to the Goldfields to facilitate industrial investment;
• $7.5 million to rebuild the power station in the Blackstone community;
• Royalty relief for the nickel industry, to support producers and jobs;
• $1.1 billion in training programs across regional WA, to prepare Western Australians for the jobs of the future;
• $650,000 to undertake planning for the upgrade of Esperance Senior High School;
• $8 million to extend the highly successful Fee Free TAFE program through the 2025 training year;
• $16.4 million over the next three years for biosecurity management, as well as $4.2 million for stockyard upgrades at the Eucla checkpoint; and
• $36.4 million to slash green tape and facilitate approvals for job-creating projects in the regions.

Country roads and regional transport infrastructure will be upgraded, with a $6.4 billion investment. Key regional transport initiatives include:

• $169 million in additional funding for regional roads, which forms part of a $4.5 billion investment in regional roads over the next four years;
• $29.3 million to upgrade regional and remote airstrips across the State, keeping communities connected, including at Eucla Airport; and
• $14.9 million over the next two years to replace the tug pen and pilot jetty at the Port of Esperance, expanding mooring capacity.

The 2024-25 State Budget will continue to build safe, strong and fair regional communities. Key initiatives include:

• $23.4 million to extend Operation Regional Shield, which allows WA Police to rapidly deploy officers to the regional areas where they are needed most;
• $30.2 million to enhance bushfire mitigation activities led by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions;
• $46.3 million to continue the successful Home Stretch WA program, which provides support for young people leaving Out of Home Care, including in the Goldfields-Esperance region;
• $96.4 million for programs for family and domestic violence across WA, including $26.4 million specifically for regional initiatives; and
• $7.7 million for various metropolitan and regional career fire and rescue service stations, including $4.9 million to provide firefighters with gender-separate facilities and $2.8 million to install post-incident hygiene showers.

The Cook Government is committed to encouraging Western Australians to explore the State's great outdoors, while supporting regional local businesses. Investment in the Goldfields and Esperance includes $1 million to upgrade the Saint Mary's Inlet Campground in the beautiful Fitzgerald River National Park.

The Cook Labor Government's commitment to strong environmental protections and WA's water security will be bolstered by a $536 million new investment in the 2024-25 State Budget, including $43.4 million in additional funding for the South Coast Marine Park.

For more information, visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"This Budget delivers on my Government's commitment to always do what's right for people living in the Goldfields and Esperance.

"We are focused on providing real cost of living relief, with a major investment to ease the pressure on families in our regions.

"Regional WA props up our nation's economy, and this Budget delivers measures that will drive regional economic growth, diversify regional economies and create jobs for our kids in the regions. 

"There's also major funding for programs which enhance regional centres, ensuring they remain great places to live, work and raise a family for generations to come."

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

"Western Australia's regions are the heart of our State, and the Cook Government is committed to seeing them thrive.

"We want to ensure that every Western Australian has access to great housing, healthcare, and opportunities to grow – regardless of where they live.

"Our responsible financial management means we are in a position to invest in our regions, with billions of dollars flowing into these areas as part of the 2024-25 State Budget.

"From enhanced tourism infrastructure, to community safety measures, and programs which diversify regional economies, this Budget delivers on what matters for regional Western Australians."

Comments attributed to Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:

"Our State Budget reinforces our Government's commitment to the region and provides important cost of living relief for our local families.

"It delivers significant investment in local housing initiatives and projects to diversify and strengthen the Goldfields economy.

"We know what is important to the people of Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields, and the Cook Labor Government continues to deliver on what matters to our community."