The State Government is implementing its Plan for Collie-Preston, with the Budget to deliver a significant investment in job-creating projects, education, health and community services.
The 2017-18 State Budget will include a $20 million investment over five years into the Collie Futures Fund to drive economic activity and create long-term employment security for locals.
The Government is delivering projects that will assist in diversifying the economy and creating jobs in Collie-Preston, including:
- $10.5 million to develop Kemerton and Shotts industrial parks to create opportunities for new business developments;
- An additional $10 million to establish rail access to Kemerton Industrial Park;
- $32 million investment in a Rail Futures Fund to deliver a revitalised Australind rail service;
- $3 million to develop Lake Kepwari as a recreational tourist destination;
- $300,000 to promote the Ferguson Valley and Wellington Forest areas as tourist destinations; and
- $32 million to boost tourism funding to showcase regional destinations.
A total of $636 million has been allocated for important capital works in the South-West.
Fixing dangerous country roads is one of the Government’s top priorities in regional Western Australia. The Budget will include $15 million for road projects in Collie-Preston, including:
- Upgrades to Raymond, Collie-Preston, Wellington Forest and Brookdale roads; and
- Widening the South West Highway at Picton East with slip lanes to improve safety.
The long-delayed Treendale Bridge will be completed.
The Government is committed to delivering the highest standard of education to children in Collie-Preston. The State Budget will include:
- $7.5 million to build new classrooms at Collie Senior High School;
- $5 million to deliver new science labs at Eaton Community College;
- $3 million for upgrades at Eaton Primary School;
- $1.5 million for a new early learning centre at Glen Huon Primary School;
- Funding to commence planning for major upgrades to Collie TAFE;
- Funding to roll out the Science in Schools program in regional primary schools; and
- Funding to put education assistants back into classrooms and provide more support for teachers.
A strong investment in important community infrastructure in Collie-Preston includes:
- $8 million to build Capel Police Station;
- $2 million to upgrade Eaton Bowling Club to create a community hub;
- $2 million towards the Donnybrook town centre revitalisation;
- $500,000 to develop Eaton-Australind historic walk;
- $200,000 for upgrades to the Wellington Dam walk trails;
- $200,000 for Balingup Town Hall upgrades;
- $2.3 million for the Capel Town Centre revitalisation;
- $250,000 for the Collie River water stop to improve amenity to improve water depth in Soldiers’ Park;
- $500,000 for planning towards a Minninup Pool Tourist Park;
- $2 million towards a new 25 metre indoor pool and clubrooms at Collie Mineworkers Memorial Pool; and
- $250,000 to enhance facilities at Stockton Lake.
The State Government is ensuring that Western Australians have access to quality health care, no matter where they live. The State’s first Medihotel is underway, which will ensure hospital stays are more comfortable for people traveling to Perth from Collie-Preston for medical treatment.
Funding in the Budget will enable the delivery of the election commitments in putting patients first, including:
- $18 million to build and operate a specialist drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in the South-West;
- $2 million upgrade to Riverview Residence in Collie as an aged retirement facility; and
- $1.6 million to expand the Find Cancer Early programs into more regional areas.
The State Budget will include $4 billion in Royalties for Regions expenditure across the State, with a focus on creating jobs and projects that really matter to people in regional WA.
This is the first stage in the implementation of the Government’s Plan for Collie-Preston. Planning and scoping of additional projects, including a $60 million investment in renewable energy in Collie, will be announced as part of subsequent budgets.
Source: Government of Western Australia.