Cook Government delivering on what matters for the Great Southern

• 2024-25 State Budget delivers cost of living relief for the Great Southern
• 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 Great Southern, with the 2024-25 State Budget delivering significant cost of living relief while investing in mental health supports and services, infrastructure upgrades, housing programs and new outdoor attractions. 

The 2024-25 State Budget is focused on Western Australia'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 Great Southern 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 across the State, 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 Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) Program, to fund new builds and land acquisitions; and
• $9 million to expand Housing First Support Services, including establishing the program in Albany.

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;
• $7.1 million to establish an Acute Care and Response Team for the Great Southern, providing invaluable mobile outreach and mental health crisis support services for children up to the age of 17;
• $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 Mirambeena;
• $1.1 billion in training programs across regional WA, to prepare Western Australians for the jobs of the future;
• $67.2 million to continue implementation of the 2024-2033 Forest Management Plan, creating new jobs following the ending of commercial logging of native forests;
• $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;
• $36.4 million to slash green tape and facilitate approvals for job-creating projects in the regions; and
• $1.4 million for fertiliser and chemical shed upgrades at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's facility in Katanning.

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 $2.5 million for proposed upgrades to Albany Airport;
• $8.3 million to develop the Pilot Station Precinct at the Port of Albany;
• $2 million in extra funding to prepare a business case focused on developing a new general purpose berth at the Port of Albany; and
• $11.6 million in funding for the Driving Access and Equity Program, including expanding it into the Great Southern for the first time.

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 the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' bushfire mitigation activities, with new firefighters based in the Great Southern;
• $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 regions;
• $96.4 million for programs for family and domestic violence across WA, including $26.4 million specifically for regional initiatives;
• $15.6 million to support the 10-year Early Years Partnership initiative which operates in the Central Great Southern and aims to support and improve early childhood outcomes;
• $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. Regional initiatives in the State Budget's Outdoor and Adventure Tourism package include:

• $69.6 million towards boating and maritime facilities across the State, including $4.25 million to deliver a new jetty for charter vessels at Albany Waterfront Marina and a new finger jetty at the Little Grove Boat Ramp in Albany; and
• $50.9 million for trails, other recreational facilities and campgrounds across the State, including for equipment upgrades at Camp Quaranup in Albany.
  

Ahead of Albany's bicentennial celebrations in 2026, the State Government will also invest $3.8 million for upgrades at Strawberry Hill Farm in Albany – the first colonial farm buildings in Western Australia.

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 the Great Southern.

"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 Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:

"We know what is important to the Albany community and through this Budget, the Cook Labor Government is delivering what matters.

"Our Government continues to invest in social and affordable housing, important health services including the Acute Care and Response Team for the Great Southern, and we're providing significant cost of living relief for Albany families.

"The Budget also features exciting investment for the Pilot Station Precinct at the Port of Albany and funding for upgrades at Strawberry Hill Farm, projects that will benefit the local community and attract visitors to our city."

Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

"The Budget highlights the Cook Labor Government's commitment to the future of Warren-Blackwood.

"We're delivering significant investment to some of region's most iconic tourism sights – encouraging visitation to our region to benefit local business.

"Tackling cost of living remains our priority and we're delivering major relief for local families by providing the WA Student Assistance Payment and another Household Electricity Credit."