2016-06-30
Infant health centres, jobs and training hubs, sports clubs, learning centres, libraries and community centres and service facilities will get a $100million facelift under a Green’s plan to revitalise regional, remote and outer metropolitan towns.
The Green’s National Community Infrastructure Fund would reverse cuts the Liberal-National Government made to outer metropolitan areas under the National Stronger Regions fund, who now have to compete with inner city project projects for funding.
Greens co-deputy leader and spokesperson for sustainable cities, Senator for WA Scott Ludlam said the plan would deliver grants to eligible communities that can demonstrate a critical need for their community with 70 per cent of grants dedicated to outer metropolitan growth areas.
“Our regional, remote and outer metropolitan communities constantly have to beg for every cent to upgrade community facilities that their city cousin enjoy as standard,” he said.
“Some of WA’s remote communities are struggling to provide clean drinking water for their residents. Our spending priorities must change to grow our regions and outer metropolitan areas as liveable, healthy communities.”
“I commend the tireless work of the National Growth Areas Alliance who consistently highlight the critical gap in funding to our outer metropolitan areas, who often get forgotten as the middle child between our cities and regional and remote areas.”
Greens estimate this plan to cost $25 million each year over four years, to a total of $100 million over forward estimates to fund:
- Place-making and social spaces
- Community gardens
- Hubs for education and training and small business support
- Recreation and exercise infrastructure including gym and aquatic facilities
- Spaces that support services to young people
- Spaces to provide services including childcare and healthcare; and
- Creative hubs, co-working spaces, and meeting places.
Media contact: Sarah Quinton 0408 533 877