Waroona emerges as the real winner after political catfight

Despite a political catfight between the Murray-Wellington frontrunners a week out from the State Election, the town of Waroona has emerged as the real winner, after both parties committed to funding a million-dollar town upgrade. Liberal candidate for Murray-Wellington Michelle Boylan accused Labor of “forgetting Waroona”. It comes after the Labor party made a last-minute bid to match a $1.3 million committent by the Liberals to help rejuvenate the Waroona town centre. Mrs Boylan accused Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke of embarking on a late bid to sway voters. “It’s clear that after almost four years in Government, and in the final days of the campaign, Labor is on a last-ditch attempt to win votes,” Mrs Boylan said. “The Liberals announced our commitment to Waroona some time ago, after listening to what locals wanted and consulting with the Shire.” Mrs Boylan said her party’s vision for the town would include new facilities for families, a community hub and an events space. “Waroona has been forgotten by Labor for years, that can’t happen again,” she said. But Mrs Clarke hit back, claiming the previous Liberal government had failed Waroona. “Waroona was neglected under the previous Liberal-National Government, and it’s only through my strong advocacy on Mark McGowan’s Labor team that we have achieved so much over the last four years,” Mrs Clarke said. “That has included $1.8 million for the Waroona Housing Options Village Aged Accommodation for aged accommodation, $210,000 for upgrades at Waroona Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, $210,000 to Capogreco Farms for a cold storage and distribution facility to create local jobs and additional education assistants at Waroona District High School.” Mrs Clarke also said her government had contributed $100,000 to the Waroona Community Men’s Shed for equipment upgrades and extension, $120,000 to Waroona abattoir as part of the recommissioning of the abattoir which will create up to 350 jobs at full capacity and $150,000 to Drakesbrook Wines to build the Peel Parrot Sanctuary tourist development to increase tourism in Waroona.