Stranded in Perth by a Rex flight delay, WA Health minister Meredith Hammat presented the budget to Esperance via video link. Photo: Geoff Vivian.
A smaller-than-usual audience attended the WA Government’s budget lunch at Esperance Civic Centre on Friday.
A Rex flight delay prevented Health minister Meredith Hammat and Upper House whip Lauren Cayoun from attending, so they presented via video link.
The Government has made significant cost of living allocations by, for example, increasing the PATS and Pensioner Fuel Card allocations, but there were relatively few spending announcements specific to Esperance or Ravensthorpe.
Turf club
The Budget confirms an $2.12million election promise to upgrade Esperance Turf Club stables and steward’s towers.
Schools
Esperance Senior High School upgrades are still in the “planning” phase, with $199,000 allocated next financial year to complete the plans.
Ms Hammat said they had also funded disability access for Nulsen Primary School parent and family centre.
Community batteries
Horizon Power is to install four community batteries across Esperance to encourage people to install their own solar energy systems at home.
They are expected to store excess energy generated by rooftop solar and other renewables to be released during peak demand, with some battery capacity to be used to support the power system and network such as voltage control.
Port upgrades
Although not mentioned in the Minister’s speech, an “Asset Investment Program” includes $30.9 million funding allocation at the Port of Esperance.
However a spokesperson for WA Ports minister Stephen Dawson said this included a 2024-25 State Budget allocation of $14.9 million to replace the existing tug pen and pilot facilities and expanded mooring capacity for them.
It appears this money has not yet been spent.
“Southern Ports is continuing to progress the planning and detailed design work for the new tug pen at the Port of Esperance,” she wrote.
A further $11.5 million is allocated to reclad Iron Ore Shed 3.
Asset Investment also includes $2.5 million to continue upgrading the port entry and internal roads to provide safe and functional heavy vehicle access and support recent growth in non-iron ore trade transported by road.
Then there is $2.1 million on site investigations and concept designs for a new Operations Centre for the Port.
It is not clear in which year these smaller amounts are to be spent as we could not find them listed in the published Budget Papers.
