Premier Mark McGowan was in Collie this morning to announce a host of projects for Collie and the South West ahead of the State Budget.
The Premier toured Collie alongside member for Collie-Preston Mick Murray MLA, and attended the Collie Mineworkers Memorial Swimming Pool where they announced $2 million towards a new 25 metre indoor pool and clubrooms.
Mr McGowan also announced $20 million towards the Collie Futures Fund ahead of the State Budget.
Premier Mark McGowan said the Collie Futures Fund will help secure long-term jobs in the region.
“The Plan for Collie-Preston is well underway. The McGowan Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering our election commitments to the people of Collie-Preston and the South-West,” he said.
“Our first State Budget includes a big investment in Collie-Preston, with a focus on projects that will create jobs and opportunities for locals as well as improve important services such as health and education.
“The $20 million Collie Futures Fund will provide a funding source to develop economic activity in Collie and secure long-term jobs.”
Member for Collie-Preston Mick Murray MLA said the proposed upgrades to Shotts Industrial Park will attract more industry to the region.
“Upgrading Kemerton and Shotts industrial parks will provide serviced industrial land to create more opportunities for local investment,” he said.
“Too many Western Australians are losing their lives on dangerous country roads. The $15 million investment to upgrade roads in Collie-Preston is part of our plan to improve safety on roads across regional WA.
“The $3 million investment into Lake Kepwari will create a tourist destination, with opportunities to participate in water sports such as water skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing.
“The upgrades will create new tourism-based job opportunities for locals and will create plenty of jobs in the process.
“As our population grows, it’s vital we continue to invest in local schools and hospitals and ensure services meet the needs of the community.
“We have big plans for Collie-Preston and the State Budget will ensure these plans become a reality as we continue to deliver on our election commitments in coming years.”
The plan for Collie-Preston, with the State Budget to deliver 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.
$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 McGowan Labor 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
The McGowan Labor 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;
Funding to commence planning for major upgrades to Collie TAFE;
Investment in community infrastructure in Collie-Preston includes:
$200,000 for upgrades to the Wellington Dam walk trails;
$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’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.
This is the first stage in the implementation of the State 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.
