A proposal by the Federal Opposition to invest $9.8 million on infrastructure projects in the Peel-Kwinana corridor has won praise from Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey, despite her belief that the proposal doesn't go far enough.
A proposal by the Federal Opposition to invest $9.8 million on infrastructure projects in the Peel-Kwinana corridor has won praise from Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey, despite her belief that the proposal doesn't go far enough.
Labor's Regional Development spokesman Simon Crean today unveiled plans to invest $5.5 million in a planned revitalisation of Mandurah's central business district, and a further $3.3 million on the construction of a community resource and knowledge centre in Kwinana.
While welcoming the announcements, Ms Creevey said substantial funding support was also required for Mandurah's roads and bridges, including about $90 million for the 7.4km Mandurah Entrance Road, to create a direct link between the New Perth-Bunbury Highway and inner Mandurah, and about $35 million to replace the Old Mandurah Traffic Bridge by 2012-13.
"General Local Government funding of Local Government also needs to be addressed to ensure that federal funds flow back to regional communities. This should include an overhaul of the current Financial Assistance Grants distribution system and increasing these grants to at least one per cent of the total Commonwealth taxation revenue," she said.
"Local Governments would also benefit substantially from the introduction of a Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund to allow for renewal and replacement of existing community infrastructure, while high growth and sea change Local Governments would benefit from an additional Community Infrastructure Fund."
The full texts of announcements from the ALP and the City of Mandurah and pasted below
Federal Labor To Invest $9.8 Million In The Peel-Kwinana Growth Corridor
Federal Labor today announced a package of initiatives for the rapidly growing Peel-Kwinana corridor, highlighting its commitment to the sustainable development of Australia's cities and regions.
These important projects, funded under Labor's new Better Regions program, will meet the challenges of this fast growing region, improve liveability and create jobs.
Not since Federal Labor's Better Cities program, has their been a strategic vision to inject funding into infrastructure to renew and sustain growth corridors.
In the Peel-Kwinana corridor, a Rudd Labor Government will invest in partnership with State and Local Governments to achieve:
- The revitalisation of Mandurah Central Business District to transform the city of Mandurah so it can fully realise its potential and boost economic growth. The City of Mandurah has already invested significantly in revitalising the commercial areas of the CBD.
- A Rudd Labor Government will provide an injection of $5.5 million to this $16 million project, to grow tourism and business and ensure that the CBD will not be stifled or employment opportunities lost.
- The revitalisation of Kwinana town centre to enhance key facilities and infrastructure to meet the current and future needs of the community and foster pride and ownership to create a modern, attractive and vibrant focal point.
- A Rudd Labor Government will provide an injection of $3.3 million towards the construction and fit-out of a district-level Community Resource and Knowledge Centre which will offer urgently needed office accommodation for community organisations, activity areas for learning opportunities and state-of-the-art library services.
The lack of office accommodation has meant most Government and non-government services are located in Rockingham, 20 kilometres away.
The provision of services through the Community Resource and Knowledge Centre is vital to address the social and economic disadvantage in the community, with unemployment rates in the town currently twice the Perth average.
- Waroona Town Centre Redevelopment, stages 2 and 3 to reinvigorate Waroona Town, providing new picnic facilities for visitors and residents alike, and improve paving, trees and streetscape.
- A Rudd Labor Government will provide funding of $345,000 to this $1.8 million project in partnership with the State Government and Alcoa.
- The development of a coordinated and linked Water Cycle Management Plan for the Peel Harvey Catchment Council, which will address the impact of the proposed development of Mundijong Town site. This township's population is forecast to grow from its current population of 2,000 to 30,000 by 2015.
- A Rudd Labor Government will provide $200,000 to the first stage of this vital project, which will provide water reuse options for the entire population.
- Application of climate change adaptation strategies to existing policies in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the City of Mandurah.
- A Rudd Labor Government will provide $200,000 towards this project, which will act as a pilot for other local government areas across Australia looking for ways to deal with the impact of climate change.
- A community hub and centre for family support groups in Byford, to which a Rudd Labor Government will contribute $275,000 in partnership with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
The Peel region has a population of almost 90,000 and is the fastest growing region in Western Australia and one of the fastest in Australia, with average annual population growth of 4.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006. Projections show this will continue.
The current population of Kwinana is 27,000 and it is expected to increase to 62,000 by 2021. With this rapid growth comes pressure for community and economic infrastructure.
The priorities and solutions announced today have been identified and developed by the region, and for the region, to meet its economic and social needs and its growth and development challenges.
Federal Labor is committed to supporting innovative local communities and will respond to local solutions that stack up.
This investment will be key to creating a vibrant, diverse and attractive region in the Peel-Kwinana Growth Corridor and is yet another example of Labor's commitment to regional and urban development.
The full text of a City of Mandurah announcement is pasted below
Labor promise for Mandurah's CBD revitalisation
Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey welcomed today's announcement by Shadow Minister for Trade and Regional Development Simon Crean of $5.5 million for redeveloping commercial areas in Mandurah.
The funding will allow the Mandurah CBD Revitalisation (Mandurah Waterfront) project to commence on schedule in 2009, pending State Government approval.
Mayor Creevey said that the funding commitment announcement would help the City ensure improved traffic flow in the City Centre and a range of employment options through stronger commercial growth.
"We have been working on this project for more than five years and it was one of the initiatives we lobbied strongly for when the City joined the Peel delegation to Canberra in July this year," Mayor Creevey said.
The total project cost is about $28 million with the City providing 60 per cent of the funding ($16.8m), and 40 per cent being sought from the WA and Australian Governments as upfront contributions of $5.6 million each.
The WA Government has so far committed $3.2 million over 10 years and a report on the CBD Revitalisation Project is currently before State Cabinet awaiting approval to commence the project.
Mayor Creevey said the Mandurah CBD Revitalisation project would lead to significant employment generation and business growth in Mandurah in line with the Southern City concept which would ensure Mandurah did not become a 'dormitory suburb' of Perth.
"This project will help revitalise the CBD and waterfront area, accommodate population and commercial growth, improve traffic flow, enhance tourism and ultimately attract locals back into the City Centre."
Mayor Creevey said she was also very pleased with the announcement of $200,000 funding towards local climate change adaptation strategies being planned for and implemented by the City of Mandurah and Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.
However, Mayor Creevey said the City still needed more funding towards the cost of the:
- Allnutt Community Facility ($7m),
- East-West Link ($15m),
- Rushton Park Redevelopment ($15.6m),
- Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre Redevelopment (up to $35m) and,
- Peel Regional Recreation Facility ($14.4m for Stage 1).
Mayor Creevey said substantial funding support was also required for Mandurah's roads and bridges, including about $90 million for the 7.4km Mandurah Entrance Road, to create a direct link between the New Perth-Bunbury Highway and inner Mandurah, and about $35 million to replace the Old Mandurah Traffic Bridge by 2012-13.
"General Local Government funding of Local Government also needs to be addressed to ensure that federal funds flow back to regional communities. This should include an overhaul of the current Financial Assistance Grants distribution system and increasing these grants to at least one per cent of the total Commonwealth taxation revenue," she said.
"Local Governments would also benefit substantially from the introduction of a Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund (LCIRF) to allow for renewal and replacement of existing community infrastructure, while high growth and sea change Local Governments would benefit from an additional Community Infrastructure Fund."
