2023-24 WA Budget: Parking lot and road commitments headline for Great Southern along with dental clinic

Government investment in health, housing and the cost of living have been highlighted by MLA Rebecca Stephens following the delivery of the 2023-24 State Budget on Thursday. The Budget has been projected as a $3.3 billion surplus — the sixth consecutive year in surplus. Included in the Budget is $2.1 million, split between the next three years, for the construction of 100 car bays at Albany Health Campus. More than $10.1m has been set aside in the coming financial year for the delivery of the Albany General Dental Clinic, which was a 2021 election commitment. The Southern Port Authority has also been allocated $6.8m, to be shared between its Albany and Bunbury ports, over the next three years to carry out upgrades of electrical infrastructure. Funding for ongoing projects, including the development of trails within Albany’s Mounts Precinct, upgrades at South Regional TAFE’s Albany campus and science, technology, engineering and maths classroom upgrades, have also been included in projected spending for the coming financial year. The Albany Ring Road has been allocated an additional $40m, and $37m has been allocated over the next two years for a grade separation at the intersection of Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road. WA Premier Mark McGowan, who delivered the Budget to Parliament in his role as Treasurer, said the Budget “continues our record of delivering for the Great Southern”. Ms Stephens said the Budget delivered in areas that “I know are important to the people of Albany — health, housing and cost of living”. “It also delivers on our commitment to create local jobs and upskill our communities, with a big boost to our training sector,” she said. “We’re continuing our record investment in regional roads and transport projects.” The State Government also touted how a number of other regionally targeted Budget measures would benefit Albany and the wider Great Southern. They include $24.4m to extend mental health telehealth services, $61.6m to deliver extra Government Regional Officer Housing, $10.4m to boost bio-security measures, and $11.7m for its Target 120 rollout, aimed at addressing the causes of youth crime.