The state opposition is calling on the government to release the royalties for regions formula after some of the needier regions, such as Halls Creek, were allocated less money.
Yesterday, the government announced it would inject a further $400 million over four years to the scheme, on top of the 25 per cent set aside from mining royalties.
Following an analysis of scheme's allocation, Shadow Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan said some of the portions needed some explanation.
"This funding is supposed to be targeted to assist our most remote and needy regional communities but on a per-capita basis it is impossible to explain many of these allocations," Ms MacTiernan said.
"There appears to be no logical or reasonable explanation for why the people of remote Halls Creek, one of the nation's most disadvantaged towns, will receive just $421 per head while the people of Bruce Rock, in Mr Grylls' electorate, will get $744.81 per head.
"Likewise Goomalling will receive $529.22 per head whereas the Shire Wyndham-East Kimberley receives $228.83 per head.
"Port Hedland receives just $111.61 per head whereas Toodyay, which is just one hour's drive from Perth, receives $229.02 per head."
Ms MacTiernan said the government needed to immediately release the funding formula.
"This is taxpayers' money and we need to know there is a fair and rational process attached to its allocation," she said.
"It is not surprising that WALGA President Bill Mitchell is so supportive of this project when his council of Murchison is the biggest winner with its population of 127 people receiving a staggering $7187.69 per head," she said.
Shadow Minister for Local Government Paul Papalia said the scheme was shaping to be incredibly divisive and had the potential to set city councils against their country counterparts.
"There is still no definition as to what constitutes a region and there are inequities as to how outer metropolitan local councils had been treated in comparison to adjacent and notionally country councils," Mr Papalia said.
