Government of Western Australia Official Site


13.06.2011

State Budget 2011-12: Supporting Our Community

Christian Porter image

Christian Porter
State Treasurer

Under the key themes of “Building the State” and “Supporting Our Community”, the 2011-12 Western Australian budget featured a $7.6 billion funding injection to further expand the State’s largest ever infrastructure investment program. Treasurer Christian Porter said the Government would use the State’s strong economic position to transform WA in the coming years and deliver lasting assets for future generations.

“The multi-billion dollar investment in this year’s Budget is in addition to the $6.9 billion already provided in the current financial year,” Mr Porter said. Central to the State Government’s Asset Investment Program is the transformation of Perth into a vibrant and modern capital city. The long‑awaited redevelopment of the Perth foreshore represents a shift to a more dynamic, contemporary and globally competitive city centre.

Also included in the budget as part of the City Link project, the Government has allocated $57 million in the next four years to accelerate development of the City Square. This will coincide with sinking the Perth to Fremantle railway line between Perth Station and Milligan Street and building a new underground bus station at a cost of $609 million.

The Government has also provided funding of $5 million in 2011‑12 to start planning for a new museum that will contribute to the revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre precinct and $13 million for the planning of a new major stadium. “The next decade will be an exciting time for Perth and its residents, as the city and its surrounds come of age,” the Treasurer said.

Mr Porter said the Government would build on the biggest ever injection into health infrastructure, with a further $1.6 billion provided in this year’s budget. This includes a $505 million down payment for the $1.2 billion New Children’s Hospital, to be located on the QEIIMC site.

A major new program is the $565 million Southern Inland Health Initiative, which is funded from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program and includes $325 million across five years to upgrade health infrastructure in the Mid-West, Wheatbelt, Goldfields-Esperance, Great Southern and South-West regions. The Government will also spend $850 million in 2011‑12 to improve infrastructure for public schooling throughout the State.

The 2011-12 State budget is available from the Department of Treasury and Finance website at www.dtf.wa.gov.au/