The Nationals WA have announced they intend to expand Royalties for Regions to include the Perth Hills including Roleystone and Karragullen, if they’re elected to government on Saturday.
Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love said the expansion would bring long-overdue support to communities in the City of Armadale.
“The Perth Hills face many of the same challenges are regional communities – population growth, ageing infrastructure and stretched services – but they’ve been overlooked for too long,” Mr Love said.
“By expanding Royalties for Regions, we will direct funding where it’s needed most, enhancing local infrastructure, improving community services, and supporting families, businesses and pensioners.”
To ensure funding remains focused on rural and regional areas, the City of Mandurah will be removed from the Royalties for Regions program as part of the policy shift.
One immediate benefit for Roleystone and Karragullen will be access to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, which The Nationals WA will increase from $675 to $800 per year to assist seniors with travel costs.
“For the first time, thousands of pensioners living in the Perth Hills will be eligible for this vital cost-of-living measure, helping them cover fuel and transport costs just like other regional West Australians,” Mr Love said.
Mr Love said Royalties for Regions – which The Nationals WA fought to introduce in 2008 – had reinvested over $7 billion in regional WA under the former government.
“The Nationals WA will restore and strengthen Royalties for Regions, ensuring mining royalties continue to benefit the communities that need them most,”he said.
Candidate for Darling Range Morgan Byas said the Perth Hills had been left behind for too long and deserved real investment.
