Investing in our Regions
The 2023-24 Budget continues to invest heavily in regional WA through Royalties for Regions, with $4 billion allocated to the program over the next four years.
The Government has committed a massive $11.2 billion investment in regional infrastructure, of which only 9 per cent is funded by Royalties for Regions. This includes $5.3 billion in regional road funding.
These investments are in addition to billions spent on regional service delivery including health, education and training, police and more.
At a glance:
- $342 million increase in spending on regional health and mental health initiatives, including the continuation of the Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service and additional investment in WA Health’s regional workforce.
- $61.6 million additional investment in Government Regional Officer Housing to support the attraction and retention of public sector workers.
- $32.6 million to protect the State’s livestock industries from increasing biosecurity threats, including emergency animal disease preparedness ($10.4 million) and an electronic identification (eID) system for sheep and goats ($22.2 million).
- $31.3 million for the Buccaneer Archipelago Marine Parks.
- $23.6 million to support survivors of family and domestic violence in the regions, including a new FDV Hub in Broome.
- $20.2 million for Future Drought Fund programs to build farm and regional community resilience.
- A further $20.7 million for the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme.
- $6.5 million towards implementation of the Aquaculture Development Plan for Western Australia.
For information on specific regions, please refer to the Regional Fact Sheets