WA Labor leader Mark McGowan and Labor candidate for Bunbury Don Punch unveiled their party’s plan for the seat of Bunbury on Wednesday morning.
The 34 page document features a number of major election pledges including;
- Complete stages 1 and 2 of the Transforming Bunbury Waterfront project and fast-tracking stage 3
- Create a dedicated cruise ship berth
- Allocate $200,000 to the City of Bunbury to develop a suitable entry statement
- Invest $20m to upgrade Bunbury Regional Hospital to 200 beds
- Guarantee the delivery of a new Step Up Step Down mental health facility
- Provide an additional no stop rail service between Bunbury and Perth
- Build a new police station in Capel to service Capel and Dalyellup
- Allocate $200,000 to the Bunbury Bowling Club for improved disability access
- Allocate $300,000 towards an interim facility for the Dalyellup Surf Life Saving Club
- Build a new canteen and home economics facility at Bunbury Senior High School
- Build a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Centre at Newton Moore Senior High School
Mr McGowan said his comprehensive suite of local projects and initiatives will focus on tourism, key services such as health and education and improved transport links.
“Bunbury is a great place and under a Labor government it will become even greater,” he said.
“This is a real plan that will create jobs and opportunities for people in Bunbury and together with Don, we have the vision to truly establish Bunbury as WA’s second city.”
Mr McGowan said his election commitments for Bunbury will be paid for by Royalties for Regions.
“Royalties for Regions will continue under a government I lead and I am determined to see it spent wisely to maximise the benefits for the region,” he said.
“Currently the South West isn’t getting its fair share of that money and we will address this if we win the election.”
Mr Punch said a Labor government will focus on kick-starting the local economy with a plan that is smart, affordable and achievable.
“The government is obsessed with Perth CBD projects and has forgotten about regional WA,” he said.
“Our plan will revitalise Bunbury and create jobs for Western Australians.”
Mr McGowan said he will provide more precise funding details for his commitments between now and the election with a plan to pay down the state’s growing debt over time.
“The currently government has blown the state’s debt out from $3 billion to $33 billion which is totally unacceptable,” he said.
“If elected we will have to repair the damage. That being said, each of these projects we have promised for Bunbury will be either completed or started in the first term in office.”
To read Labor’s plan for Bunbury in full, visit markmcgowan.com.au/Bunbury.
Andrew Elstermann
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
