Waroona Community Precinct gets boost with State Government committing extra $2.4 million in 2023/24 budget

An under-construction project in the Peel region has received a major boost after it emerged as a winner in Thursday’s Budget. The State Government will contribute an additional $2.4 million to the Waroona Community Precinct as part of its spending program for the 2023-24 financial year. It will bring the State Government’s direct contribution to the project to $3.7m, excluding Lotterywest’s contribution of $450,000. Waroona Shire president Mike Walmsley said he was “absolutely delighted and appreciative” the State Government had supported the community by making sure the project was fully funded. “It allows us to complete all the stages that were planned and envisaged by our council and community,” he said. “This is a great outcome for our Shire.” The contribution is a much-needed boost for the precinct, which was originally budgeted at $4.2m but has since escalated in cost to more than $6.2m after it went out to tender. Speaking at the Peel Budget Breakfast in South Yunderup on Friday, Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke expressed her delight at the outcome and said she had excitedly called Shire chief executive Mark Goodlet on Thursday afternoon to deliver the good news. “It is about time that Waroona shines,” she said. The funding announcement comes after the Shire accepted an additional $550,000 contribution from the Alcoa Waroona Sustainability Fund late last month, bringing its total contribution to $1m. Other financial supporters of the precinct include the Federal Government and Waroona Lions Club, alongside direct contributions from the Shire. Once completed, the precinct is designed to be a central community hub and revitalise the town centre. The precinct’s features will include a toddler play area and junior playground, skate park and pump track, a Noongar six seasons garden, grassed open space, and shaded picnic areas. Work on the project has already begun, with the council hoping it will be open by the end of the year. KEY PEEL INITIATIVES IN STATE BUDGET: PLUS: $407 million extra for regional road projects and initiatives being invested in this Budget, (bringing total investment to $5.3 billion over four years)