Kirrilee Warr MLA

Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has urged the local community to have their say on the State Government’s review of the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) and Club Night Lights Program (CNLP).

Both funding programs have provided significant benefit to regional communities, but have been paused since August 2024.

Ms Warr said a number of sporting groups, local governments, and community organisations within the Geraldton electorate had raised queries about the program.

“Sport is important for community and brings people together, but we need the infrastructure to continue to support local organsations,” she said.

“Multiple groups within Geraldton have approached me with concerns about the lack of funding opportunities now that these programs have been paused.

“With the State Government making consideration, it is important for the community and organisations within Geraldton to convey the importance of this program.”

Ms Warr said the funding model, which saw the funding split equally between clubs, local governments, and the State, was beneficial.

“It is a competitive grant process, but it allows local clubs to create modern and safe facilities at a fraction of the cost,” she said.

“The uncertainty on the future of the program is creating anxiety for those who have applied, or were considering applying over the past two years.”

Ms Warr echoed Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation Peter Rundle’s comments, urging the community to make their voices known.

“Local organisations can make a submission which could help shape how this funding model exists going forward,” she said.

Feedback can be submitted through the Department or Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport’s online consultation portal.

Submissions close of August 28.

WA Nationals Leader Shane Love MLA says debate at this week’s Federal Labor Conference has confirmed what regional Western Australians have known for years: declining local services and a lack of investment are leaving regional communities behind.

“Regional Western Australians do not need another Labor conversation about the bush; they need practical action and genuine investment in their communities. The fact Labor now considers regional communities a ‘sleeper issue’ suggests they only take notice when voter frustration begins to show up in the polling,” Mr Love said.

“For The Nationals WA, regional communities are the reason we exist. People in regional WA are tired of being taken for granted while essential services decline and local communities are expected to do more with less.”

Mr Love said country local governments were increasingly being asked to deliver critical infrastructure and services without adequate support from State Government.

“Regional councils are on the frontline delivering local roads, community facilities and services that people rely on every day, yet they continue to be burdened with greater responsibilities and fewer resources,” he said.

“That is why Royalties for Regions, in its intended form, was so important. It ensured regional investment was additional to normal government spending and gave regional people a genuine say in decisions aAecting their own communities.”

Kirrilee Warr MLA, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said the Country Local Government Fund was one of the most successful examples of that approach, delivering direct funding to local governments for roads, community infrastructure and locally identified priorities.

“The Country Local Government Fund empowered regional councils to make decisions based on local needs, not instructions from Perth,” she said.

“Rather than strengthening Royalties for Regions, Labor has hollowed it out and turned a transformational regional development program into a fund for day-to-day government spending. Councils cop the brunt and fill the gaps because Labor is absent.

“Regional councils need dependable funding, local decision-making and a government willing to back them, rather than continually shifting the burden onto country ratepayers,” she said.

Mr Love said that Labor notices regional WA when it fears losing votes, while the Nationals WA fight for regional WA every day.

Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA is urging the State Government to throw its support behind Geraldton Marine Rescue by assisting in the funding for its dedicated base.

Reports emerged on Wednesday revealing the organisation has signed a lease after not having a suitable base for two years, but can not afford the rent for its preferred location.

Ms Warr said the State Government needed to support emergency volunteers.

“The group’s base at Point Moore had to be demolished due to coastal erosion, but the Cook Labor Government has done nothing to assist Geraldton Marine Rescue in finding a new home,” she said.

“These are hard-working volunteers who put time and effort into keeping people safe in the water, and they deserve financial help given it helps them continue this important work.

“I urge the Emergency Services Minister to consider this matter to help this important volunteer group.”

Ms Warr said since they were forced from their old building, they had struggled with morale due to an unsuitable work environment.

“I’ve met with Geraldton Marine Rescue on a number of occasions, and they have expressed their concerns when it comes to having a proper facility,” she said.

“Having a fit-for-purpose facility helps them properly deliver training, as well as boosts morale.

“The National-Liberal Government funded the refurbishment of their building back in 2016, so why can’t the Cook Labor Government assist?”

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Hon. Rob Horstman MLC said volunteer groups were often overlooked when it came to funding.

“Too often we are seeing the resources go towards Department services, despite our volunteer groups being in dire need of upgrades or improvements,” he said.

“Ultimately it’s the community, in particular those in the regions, who suffer from a lack of investment, and the Cook Labor Government needs to be better in this space.”

Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA has called for the Transport Minister to intervene, following the Department’s decision to deny the WA Fishing Industry Council’s request to waive pen fees for commercial vessels following the demersal ban.

“Commercial fishers had their businesses impacted with less than a month to get their lives in order, yet nearly seven months on they are paying pen fees for boats they can’t use,” she said.

“We continue to see the unintended consequences of the fishing ban, but the Cook Labor Government chooses not to provide support and continues to leave fishers hamstrung.”

According to WAFIC, pen fees won’t be waived but payment plans would be considered.

Ms Warr said payment plans provided little relief for those doing it tough.

“There are some fishers who can no longer pay their mortgages, let alone continue to pay pen fees for boats they can’t utilise,” she said.

“Fishers have always felt the compensation for their commercial licences did not reflect what they believed to be owed, but the State Government did not listen.

“Their refusal to waive boat pen fees shows the arrogance of this government who refuses to consult with the sector before making decisions.”