Pilbara leaders back Federal Budget green investment in region

The Pilbara’s role in helping the nation transition to net zero 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” in a move backed by local leaders. 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 move has been supported by the one of the regions leaders with, City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long saying it was pleasing to see the investment. “It doesn’t mean it will be $100m a year, I’m sure it will be different amounts depending on the projects, but it’s a very good sign,” he said. Mr Long said the Federal Government had already promised $70 million to the Karratha region to do the hydrogen cluster. Other announcements in the budget that Mr Long said he was pleased to see was the Regional Precincts and Partnerships program. “It will look at the Commonwealth Government, the State and local government investing in place-based projects to transform regional centres,” he said. “Which sounds fantastic, exactly the sort of thing we want and I was very pleased to see that.” Mr Long said funding for the sealing of the Tanami Road was important for northern Western Australia. “That’s a very important road for a whole range of reasons including defence,” he said. 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.”