Pilbara to receive share of $672m to prepare for emerging green industries

The Pilbara’s role in helping the nation transition to net zero emissions has been recognised in the Federal budget, with the region to share in close to $700 million to enable infrastructure to prepare for “emerging green industries”. As part of the Federal Government’s budget which was handed down on October 25, the Pilbara will receive a share of $672.7 million over seven years from 2022–23 towards enabling infrastructure to support emerging green industries and economic transition. The resource rich Pilbara is known for its iron ore exports which accounted for close to one-quarter of the nation’s record export earnings last year. CME chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said the Budget again highlighted the significant contribution the WA mining and resources sector made to economies and communities around the country. “Our sector’s contributions help fund vital Federal Government investment in healthcare, childcare, education and infrastructure, including important projects in WA,” she said. She said the CME welcomed measures aimed at boosting the Australian critical minerals industry and decarbonisation across a variety of industries. “These measures are very much aligned with the work our sector is already undertaking to grow its ability to extract and refine forward-facing commodities, and to reduce emissions as we work towards net zero targets.” Other areas of the North West also received funding with a slew of telecommunications upgrades for the West Kimberley funded in this years Federal Budget, totalling $9,853,052.