Midwest among regional communities to receive $15.5m boost

Twelve community projects across five regions are set to take off following a funding injection of more than $15.5million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Country Local Government Fund (CLGF) Regional Grouping Fund. Communities in the South-West, Wheatbelt, Mid-West, Peel and Great Southern will benefit from a range of large-scale projects funded in the 2012-13 Regional Group Projects allocation. The CLGF Regional Grouping Fund is separate to the CLGF and encourages local governments to come together to deliver projects that benefit multiple towns and regions.

Funding in the Midwest includes construction and gravel sheeting of the East Bowes Road across shires of Chapman Valley, Irwin and Northampton and construction and upgrades of new and existing telecommunications towers in the shires of Morawa, Three Springs, Perenjori and Mingenew.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the funding would improve infrastructure and services in towns and help build sustainable regional communities.

“The intention of the regional groupings component of the CLGF is to provide financial assistance to local governments to fund large-scale projects identified as priorities by the towns themselves,” Mr Redman said.

“The development of regional Western Australia benefits the entire State.  WA’s population is projected to grow to 5.4million people by 2056 and the State Government needs to ensure there are plenty of opportunities and services for people to be able to move to regional WA.

“These 12 projects will bring economic, social and environmental benefits to each community and help ensure our regional towns are great places to live, work and invest.”