The state Liberal Party has pledged $40 million over four years towards a fund that will address infrastructure needs in the North West region.
The state Liberal Party has pledged $40 million over four years towards a fund that will address infrastructure needs in the North West region.
Below is the full announcement:
A WA Liberal Government will take a strategic approach to the development of towns in WA's North West with a $40 million package to fund local works and planning.
The Northern Towns Development Fund will provide the funding over four years to fund the development of local plans in conjunction with industry, local business, local government and the community.
Liberal Leader Colin Barnett said the fund would also be available to address urgent small works and projects that were identified in the planning process.
"The Northern Development Towns Fund is a strategic first step towards recognising the importance of these areas to the State's future," Mr Barnett said.
"The Northern Towns Development Fund will provide much-needed additional investment for planning and development of priority infrastructure in our northern towns," Mr Barnett said.
"A particular focus will be the release of land for residential development and the provision of appropriate housing. This could include alternative types of housing, such as apartments, that may better suit the lifestyles of the people working and living in these towns.
"A Liberal Government is committed to providing leadership for the development of our north.
"A Liberal Government will appoint a Minister for the North-West overseeing the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Kimberley. It would be a senior portfolio and the responsible Minister will have a Ministerial office in the North-West where they would be regularly based. The first priority of the Minister would be to oversee the Northern Towns Development Fund to ensure a better quality of life for people living in the region.
"The Liberals recognise the enormous disadvantage of Indigenous people and the unacceptable gap in life expectancy, particularly in the remote communities.
"We strongly support the work of Lt Gen John Sanderson in rebuilding communities and working to develop opportunities for Indigenous people. We will work with Indigenous communities and all levels of government to urgently address the inequality of opportunity and outcome in Indigenous communities."
"The Liberals will help towns in the north of WA begin to overcome the neglect they have faced over eight years of Labor Government."
A Liberal Government will:
- Commit $40 million to establish a Northern Towns Development Fund to fund the development of local plans in conjunction with industry, local business, local government and the community
- This fund will also be available to address urgent small works and projects that are identified in the planning process
- Use the local plans in determining priorities in annual State Government budgeting;
- Lobby the Federal Government to invest in infrastructure to support population growth necessary to support the resources industry
- Work with the large companies to ensure their investment in the communities that support their major projects
