Multimillion-dollar Anzac Drive industrial project funds follow years of ‘neglect’: Liberals MP Neil Thomson

WA Liberals Member for Mining and Pastoral Neil Thomson says years of “neglect” is what prompted multimillion-dollar industrial development funding announced for Kalgoorlie-Boulder this week.

The WA Labor Government revealed on Monday it would dedicate $20.8 million in the upcoming State budget to expanding the Anzac Drive Industrial Estate.

The announcement has been met with criticism from Mr Thomson, who suggested the decision had been made with next year’s election in mind.

“After seven years of neglect and inaction, the government was left with no option but to support desperately needed new industrial lot development in Kalgoorlie in the lead-up to the 2025 election where Kalgoorlie is a key seat,” Mr Thomson said.

“It’s an indictment on the lack of influence of local member Ali Kent that she’s had to wait for an election year to address the most basic needs of the Goldfields.

“Industrial land is so scarce that this is impacting on business expansion, and all the while the threat remains hanging over the nickel smelter which this government has done nothing to address.”

Member for Kalgoorlie Ali Kent told the Kalgoorlie Miner it was a shame Mr Thomson did not acknowledge how good the funds would be for the local economy.

“The Cook Labor Government has invested more than $55 million in unlocking residential and industrial land in the Goldfields, providing more than 175 ongoing jobs and approximately $50 million to the Goldfields economy alone each year since March 2017,” Ms Kent said.

“This announcement is something I’ve been working on for some time — last year Minister Carey held a roundtable with all the key stakeholders in Kalgoorlie-Boulder about getting more access to both residential and industrial land.

She said Mr Thomson himself had not proposed any policies focusing on housing or land supply.

“Make no mistake — Neil Thomson and the WA Liberals are a policy vacuum when it comes to important issues such as housing and land supply,” Ms Kent said.

“This is typical of the WA Liberal Party and Neil Thomson — who after seven and half years in Opposition have still not released any policies to boost housing or land supply throughout Western Australia or the Goldfields.”

Ms Kent said she had worked to bring initiatives to the Goldfields since 2021 and planned to continue doing so.

“I’m focusing on what needs to be done and I’m proud to be part of the Cook Government as we’re delivering for the Goldfields community and businesses.”

The newly announced funds will support the development of 22 industrial lots, plus power and water infrastructure, and a new intersection with Anzac Drive to cater for restricted access vehicles.

The Cook Government has foreshadowed that Anzac Drive West would deliver 61 general industrial lots across the next decade, with the project attracting more than $200 million in private-sector investment.

The estate is set to create more than 700 jobs during construction along with supporting more than 850 permanent jobs once completed.

Beyond the industrial land, a further $ 16.8 million from the 2024-25 State Budget has been dedicated to unlocking 32 residential lots in Stage 5 of GreenView at Karlkurla.