Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has hit out at the Cook Labor Government’s so-called “Seven Cities” announcement, saying it’s “all headline and no substance, and another example of flashy spin that highlights Labor’s lack of a real plan for regional development.”
Ms Warr said although housing was a key part of growth, the level of investment for Geraldton did not match the significant demand.
“Regional development encompasses all things that contribute to regional growth, and the announcement leaves Geraldton wanting,” she said.
“While housing is key and the funding is welcomed, there is infrastructure, water, transport, greater access to services, and power announcements that are lacking for Geraldton but are crucial to growth for the region.
“37 houses over the next five years is a drop in the ocean in terms of what Geraldton needs.
“The Government has failed to clarify whether these are new houses, whether they will be purchased or leased from the private market, and if they are new, whether local contractors will be used to prevent further stress on housing.
Ms Warr highlighted the lack of new funding, saying the majority of plans for Geraldton had previously been announced.
“It is textbook of the Cook Labor Government to re-announce things to pass them off as new, such as the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment and planning for the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area,” she said.
“I hope when the budget is unveiled next week, there is greater investment in the other services and infrastructure that needed for livable regions going forward.”
Across the regions, Ms Warr said the announcement was a concession Labor has failed regional WA over the past 10 years.
“Let’s be clear- Labor scrapped the very blueprints regional communities worked hard to develop alongside Regional Development Commissions and Government,” she said.
“They gutted Royalties for Regions. They’ve sat idle. And now? They’re playing catch-up.
“The Nationals WA have been vocal for years in highlighting these issues, taking policy to previous elections, but only now has the State Government acknowledged there is an issue.
“When the Premier admits the strategy is still ‘under development’, it only confirms what regional communities already suspect- there is no real plan, just more window dressing from a government who does not value the regions.”