WA Budget 2025-26: Key regional spending revealed, with major investments across the Mid West

The State Government admitted its first post-election Budget was not sexy but delivered the essentials, with millions in extra funding set to be put into a range of regional infrastructure projects.

But while the majority of Mid West election funding promises were kept, notably Labor’s pledge to fund a Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Geraldton did not crack a mention this time around.

In the lead-up to the election, the Cook Government committed $7.5 million towards establishing the long-awaited RFDS facility in the Mid West, but the funding was nowhere to be seen in this year’s Budget — prompting frustration from Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr who said the service is critical for timely emergency care in the region’s remote areas.

“I’m disappointed there appears to be no funding towards an RFDS base here in Geraldton in the State Budget,” Ms Warr said.

“Nearly 2000 patients were retrieved by the service in the Mid West over the past year — more than five people per day.

“I will continue to back important projects across the electorate and will hold this State Government to account to ensure it delivers the funding they promised at the election.”

Minister for the Mid West Jackie Jarvis said she had spoken to the RFDS chief executive and said all election promises would eventually be delivered in Geraldton.

“We’re working with them again to understand their timelines and to make sure that they have fully costed the project,” she said.

“It has been 105 days since the State election, that election commitment, all election commitments made in Geraldton, will be honoured as part of our four-year term.”

But the Mid West did come out a winner with an additional $500m committed to the State’s Strategic Industries Fund — supporting key priorities under the Made in WA plan, including fast-tracking of clean energy and major industrial projects — with the Oakajee precinct set to share in the funding.

Oakajee remains part of the State Government’s plan to create a renewable energy hub in the Mid West with $60m invested in the project so far.

So who were the other Budget winners in the Mid West this time around? Here’s the Guardian’s five-minute guide to what was in it for our region.

Business and development:

Geraldton’s port will benefit from $3.5m for detailed design of Berths 8 and 9, “supporting future renewable energy exports like wind turbine components”.

Meanwhile, $8.9m has been set aside to boost the Exploration Incentive Scheme to drive regional mining jobs.

Other investments include $20m to expand the Aboriginal Ranger Program and $8.3m to progress plans to return WA’s freight rail network to public ownership.

Cost of living support:

A second round of the WA Student Assistance Payment will allow households to apply for a $150 payment for each primary aged child or $250 payment for each secondary aged child. This comes as the first round is due to close on July 4.

Eligible concession card holders will receive a one-off rebate on their water bills and $25.7m has been pledged to increase the Regional Pensioner Travel Cards by a further $100, to $775.

TransWA fares will be halved, including fares for bus services connecting towns in the Mid West in an $18m promise. The reductions will begin from January 1.

The Country Week Assistance Program has been given $8m to support regional participant in country week events.

Housing:

The Mid West is set to benefit from a major injection of funding aimed at tackling housing shortages and supporting essential workers across the region.

As part of a $1.1 billion Statewide investment, $400m has been committed to building and upgrading public housing in regional areas, including Geraldton and surrounding towns.

The Government will double its Government Regional Officer Housing construction program with $103.8m to build more than 100 homes and acquire land for key workers such as police and teachers.

A further $25m will go into the new Regional Housing Support Fund, offering grants up to $5m to unlock housing and land supply — including subdivisions and key worker accommodation.

To improve home ownership access, Keystart will also introduce a new low-deposit loan product to help more Mid West residents purchase modular homes.

Health:

Planning for an expansion of renal services and a radiation oncology service can begin, with $1m apiece put aside for that purpose within this year’s Budget.

While in Kalbarri a further $1m will go towards upgrading the health centre’s air-conditioning system, improving comfort and safety for patients and staff.

The Budget also includes $8.2m to attract and retain health workers in regional areas, with the Government touting that families will also benefit from a $12.2m investment in the Virtual Infant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Hub for children which will provide specialist care for children and young people via telehealth.

Those who need to rely on the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme will see the benefit of a $18.5m to allow the fuel subsidy to be increased from 26¢ cents to 40¢ per kilometre.

Communities:

Geraldton will see more CCTV installed as part of a $2.3m Statewide rollout to combat antisocial behaviour, while $1m is going to Police and Community Youth Centres to support youth diversion programs in the city.

More than $480m per year is set to be spent on police services across regional WA, including 123 stations and nearly 1900 officers and staff, with $14.3m to provide free police academy accommodation for regional recruits.

Regional courts will also benefit from $5m in security upgrades.

Planning for a new evacuation centre in Kalbarri can begin with $250,000 pledged for the project as well as the Statewide commitment of $6.7m to support DFES’s aerial fire response capability, with two strike teams to mitigate the threat of crop fires during the grain harvesting season.

Sport:

Geraldton’s GBSC Sport Park will receive $3m for new toilets and change rooms, including facilities for women, while the Geraldton Netball Association is getting $2.8m to upgrade its Wonthella courts and amenities.

The Backroads Gravel Festival will be supported with $450,000 in funding to keep the Mid West cycling event running for the next three years.

The Midwest Kart Club in Geraldton will receive $100,000 to improve onsite medical facilities and the Dongara-Irwin Race Club has been allocated $92,000 for infrastructure upgrades.

Education:

Geraldton Senior High School is set for a $8m windfall for classroom refurbishments, LED lighting and air-conditioning upgrades, while Champion Bay High School will have a new gymnasium after a $23.5m promise.

More than $20m will fund the establishment of new regional university study hubs, giving students in the Mid West and other regions greater access to tertiary education.

Another $28m has been given to expand the School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfasts five days a week at more than 650 schools, including in the Mid West.