State Budget 2023-24: West End Radio Theatre building makeover announced as leaders talk Budget in Geraldton

WA’s Deputy Premier and Opposition Leader were in Geraldton on Friday, both arguing for their vision for the region, following a Budget the Mayor said provided reassurance but no major surprises. Cook serves at Budget breakfast As the State Government promoted its vision for WA following the 2023-24 Budget’s release, Deputy Premier Roger Cook was in Geraldton to speak with businesses, non-governmental organisations and local government figures at a breakfast meeting on May 12. One new announcement was made, as the Deputy Premier revealed $5 million would be spent on a revitalisation project for Geraldton’s West End, beginning with a makeover of the former Radio Theatre building on Marine Terrace. In partnership with the owners of the site, which currently stands unused, and arts group Euphorium, the building will host an arts space and a retail area for Mid West produce, while the area will feature clubs, bars and hotels. “It’s going to be a significant boost to tourism infrastructure in the area . . . and will be a great opportunity for young people to work in the hospitality and tourism industry,” Mr Cook said. It joins a list of other projects announced in the Budget, including $55m to improve and maintain Indian Ocean Drive, $10m for a boat-building precinct at Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour, a replacement for the Nangetty-Walkaway Road Bridge, and $9m for an education support facility for Waggrakine Primary School. Budget papers reveal $8.3m was added to the Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation, which has been delayed until 2024-25. Mr Cook did not provide any new information on the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment, which the Government has been discussing with three companies since February. Mr Cook also expanded on the announcement the Government is investigating expanding the Warradarge Wind Farm near Eneabba. He said the Government was considering increasing the farm’s number of turbines from 51 to 70, making it the largest wind farm in the State. Love calls for more community and Seroja relief funding Opposition Leader and Moore MLA Shane Love said the Government was squandering its $3.3 billion surplus, and while he said he backed financial support for struggling households, he questioned whether a $400 electricity rebate should go to everyone, and argued more money could be given to community groups and charities. “Members of Parliament will receives a $400 credit — I don’t think any of them are actually doing it that hard,” Mr Love said. “There’s a lot of Western Australians who are seeking help . . . this pressure is being felt by the organisations which look after people, so we would have liked to see more assistance to the organisations that actually helped our community.” In the Budget, $9.2m was allocated to aid post-cyclone Seroja recovery efforts, but it also revealed $25.2m less than expected had been spent, which the Government said was because of insurance covering more people than expected. Mr Love said it was a sign funding was not being directed effectively, and that more funding should be provided. No major surprises for mayor City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn described the Budget as one with little surprises, with many major projects previously announced such as the Geraldton Port Maximisation Project and Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment staying on the books without any changes. But the mayor did say he appreciated the Government was still committed to them. Mr Van Styn said the lack of announcements or new funding did give him some concern for the progress of the hospital upgrade. “I do have some nerves about whether or not the funding will ultimately be sufficient to complete the project, but at least it’s still in there,” he said. He also said he was disappointed not to see more funding announced for the Mid West Hydrogen Hub and the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area “I don’t see more money other than the original $13m announced for an access road to Oakajee, which really does temper the ambitions for Oakajee to occur. However, at least it’s somewhat on the radar,” he said.