Key Bunbury projects funded in the 2017-18 WA state budget

The first state budget from the McGowan government included $34.4 million for the Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project, $3 million for upgrades to the Halifax Business Park and a $32 million investment in to the Rail Futures Fund to deliver a revitalised Australind rail service. 

A commitment of $12.5 million will cover project planning and preconstruction works for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road while $500,000 will commence planning for development of Bunbury Port. 

In the health sector, the budget will deliver a new $11.2 million sub-acute mental health facility for Bunbury and an $18 million specialist drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for the South West. 

A $5 million commitment will upgrade Bunbury Senior High School while $3 million will provide science, technology, engineering and maths facilities at Newton Moore Senior High School. There will also be $3 million spent at South Bunbury Primary School to refurbish classrooms and build a new undercover area. 

The government has confirmed it will carry on with plans to build a police station in Capel with an $8 million commitment while a number of community projects have also been budgeted for including; 

Work has also commenced on a number of Bunbury election commitments that have not been included as part of the 2017-18 budget, including an upgrade to Bunbury Regional Hospital. 

Treasurer Ben Wyatt noted the state budget includes $4 billion in Royalties for Regions expenditure across the state, with $636 million to be spent in the South West on infrastructure over the next four years. 

“As our population grows, it’s vital that we continue to invest in local schools and hospitals to ensure services meet the needs of the community,” Mr Wyatt said. 

“We have big plans for Bunbury and the state budget will ensure that these plans become a reality as we continue to deliver on our election commitments in coming years.”

Premier Mark McGowan said the plan for Bunbury is well underway. 

“Our first state budget includes a big investment in Bunbury, with a focus on projects that will create jobs and opportunities for locals as well as improve important services such as health and education,” Premier McGowan said. 

“We will continue to ensure the state government provides ongoing support to enable Bunbury to continue to grow into the future.”

Outside of Bunbury, the state budget is aiming to rapidly reduce WA’s spiraling debt situation. 

Households were left relatively unscathed, but the big end of town will bear the brunt of repairing the state's debt, which is expected to blowout to $43.8 billion by 2020. 

Miners will now be slugged a 3.75 per cent tax, (up from 2.5) when the gold price goes above $1200 an ounce. Gold is currently worth $1600 an ounce.

The exemption that existed for miners who produced less than 2,500 ounces of gold a year has been scrapped.

The new gold tax is expected to pour $392 million into the state's kitty over forward estimates.

– With WA Today.