The WA Liberal Party have opened the cheque book to address more longstanding challenges within the Augusta-Margaret River shire.
The election pledges – which depend on the party forming government – add to a series of commitments on education and health already promised before the official start of campaigning heading into the March 8 poll.
At the weekend, party leader Libby Mettam and Warren-Blackwood candidate Wade De Campo confirmed they would match Labor’s $12 million commitment to significant upgrades at Cowaramup Primary School, and would pitch in $2 million for Augusta’s main street redevelopment.
They also promised to add $5 million to the funding needed for the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, and $500,000 to assess the feasibility of a bypass around Cowaramup.
Ms Mettam’s neighbouring seat of Vasse included Cowaramup for many years and she spoke about her commitment to issues she had long campaigned on.
“The South West is a vital part of our State’s economy and lifestyle,” she said.
“Ensuring safe and efficient transport routes is essential for the wellbeing of regional communities and for the prosperity of local businesses.”
The party leader said commitments across the electorate continued to show the Liberals were focused “on delivering practical solutions for regional WA, with safety and economic sustainability at the forefront”.
Mr De Campo seized on comments from Premier Roger Cook who had questioned why his rival wasn’t on the campaign trail, arguing it showed the Premier had a blind spot when it came to regional WA.
“Labor continues to fail the regions — something that was clear today (at the weekend),” Mr De Campo said.
“WA is much bigger than just Perth. Rural and regional WA need support too, something that seems to have slipped (Mr Cook’s) mind.”
A WA Labor spokesperson said the Opposition was outspending themselves with a hefty shopping list of promises.
“The Liberals simply cannot be trusted to deliver on their unfunded, uncosted election promises,” the Labor spokesperson said.
“They have announced a $400 million infrastructure fund for regional hospitals, but Liberal candidates across the State are dipping into that every day with their own local commitments.
“Unlike the Liberal Party’s irresponsible bottomless pit of unfunded promises, Labor has a properly costed plan to deliver improved health care in the South West.”
The weekend Liberal pledges would address ongoing concerns about facilities and biodiversity risks in the national park as well as address growth issues in Cowaramup’s school and ongoing traffic issues.
The Augusta contribution would kickstart the currently unfunded Shire of Augusta-Margaret River renewal project.
https://thewest.com.au/news/augusta-margaret-river-times/liberal-party-contender-wade-de-campo-matches-labor-commitments-and-eyeballs-augusta-national-park-c-17696605
