Plan for Peel region unveiled as part of WA Recovery Plan

10th August, 2020

Boosting training, jobs, tourism and industry

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Plan for Peel region unveiled as part of WA Recovery Plan

10th August, 2020

Boosting training, jobs, tourism and industry

On Saturday 8 August a multimillion dollar package for the Peel region was unveiled as part of the WA Recovery Plan, to drive economic and social recovery and create a pipeline of local jobs. The Peel Recovery Plan is focused on getting locals back to work and includes a significant investment in sectors including construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, education and training, and agriculture.

It will deliver a pipeline of short and long term jobs supporting and strengthening our existing industries, as well as laying the foundation for jobs of the future.

As part of the State Government's $229 million TAFE package, the plan includes upgrades to TAFE infrastructure in the region, including:

• $9.17 million to South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus for a new Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre to deliver training for a range of courses including commercial cookery, tourism and events management;
• $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with a variety of free* courses available at South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus;
• $32 million to expand the Lower fees, local skills program with half price course fees* across over 70 priority qualifications; and
• $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship R-engagement Incentive that provides employers with a one-off payment of $6,000 for hiring an apprentice and $3,000 for hiring a trainee. 

Find out more about free and half price training here

Read more about the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Reengagement Incentive here

It also includes $10.38 million for the Pinjarra Senior High School for a new permanent performing arts centre and sports hall, as part of the Major School Upgrade package, and investment in infrastructure and industry to create opportunities for local businesses and jobs for local workers. The Government's revamped Buy Local policy will ensure local businesses are in the box seat to carry out this work. The plan includes $8.65 million to invest in upgraded infrastructure to attract private industry and create local jobs, and $8 million to the Offsets Fund for Recovery program that creates green jobs by supporting conservation groups to carry out on-ground works such as fencing, seeding and planting.

The plan also includes a significant investment in infrastructure and programs to drive tourism and create jobs. It includes:

• $1.19 million for upgrades on the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail including renewing camp sites, bridges and sections of the track;
• $750,000 to replace the ageing timber boardwalk in Goegrup Lake Nature Reserve in the Mandurah region;
• $350,000 for upgrades to buildings, new facilities and services across national parks in the Peel region, including Serpentine National Park; and
• $25 million for the Healthy Estuaries WA program for improvement works in estuaries across regional WA, including in the Peel-Harvey system. 

Strengthening Western Australia's health and community services is a vital component of the WA Recovery Plan. It includes $4 million towards the expansion of family and domestic violence refuges, including the construction of an additional six units at the Peel therapeutic refuge.

The full list of projects can be viewed at inthistogether.wa.gov.au 

* Please check the website for details about eligibility for free and half price course fee qualifications.