PREMIER Colin Barnett said the hospital was just the beginning of continued development in Albany.
“The Albany Entertainment Centre is into construction. That’s going to be a major addition to the economic and particularly the tourism infrastructure of Albany and the Great Southern,” he said.
“That will be followed by the continuation of the waterfront project, developing a new marina and commercial and residential development which will transform the appearance of Albany and make that connection between the township and the very spectacular natural harbour.”
One of the major funding announcements was $3 million for UWA Albany and a new $6m 1,000sqm building devoted to environmental science adjacent the historic former post office building on Stirling Terrace.
The Government’s commitment to the project includes $1.5m over three years through the Royalties for Regions program and $1.5m from the Department of Education Services.
“Albany as a community has always shown a great sense of commitment and great value placed on education, in particular higher education,” Mr Barnett said.
“That will have a concentration on environmental science, but also other aspects.
“So a very significant advance to tertiary education in Albany and the Great Southern.”
UWA Albany Barbara Black said the funds were a source of great relief.
“We really don’t have enough space. We are located in different places around town. That must be confusing for the rest of the community,” she said.
“The additional building will allow us to accommodate our current needs and further develop so that we can take on more students and offer more types of courses and increase research activity.”
Other funding announcements funded by the Great Southern Regional Development Commission this week included $3m over three years for the the construction of the Nannup to Albany section of the Munda Biddi Trail and $380,000 for the third stage of the Albany Biodiversity Park at WhaleWorld.
Stage Two of the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre can now progress after Sports and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron announced $3m was being provided from the Community Sport and Recreation Fund.
The allocation enables the City to secure $2.9m in Federal funding being offered towards the project.
Stage Two involves the construction of three new indoor netball-basketball courts, designed to host grassroots-level sports up to international standard competitions, as well as community-based events.
“The project will result in a good outcome for the Albany community and benefit numerous sporting and community groups which use the facility,” Mr Waldron said.
The upgrades are expected to ease pressure on existing facilities, which were struggling to meet the needs of the growing Albany population.
“I am delighted that the Government has been given this opportunity to deliver very quickly on part of its election promise to the people of Albany, who will soon be enjoying the benefits of this investment as a result,” he said.
ALAC User Group chairman Tony Stanton said clubs should get together and prioritise to help the City further develop the centre.
Tourism Minister Liz Constable visited the Albany Visitor Centre and presented a $19,500 cheque to be used for a mobile tourism service.
The money is part of a $3m program to improve visitor servicing throughout WA.
The mobile service will allow the centre to help tourists at a variety of regional events.
South West MLC Robyn McSweeney handed a cheque for $220,000 to the Lions Community Care Centre in Hardie Road for its respite centre as part of a pre-election commitment by the Liberal Party.
Other regional funding announcements included:
$145,000 to the Denmark Shire Council for development of the Denmark Community Park;
$16,100 for Bibbulman Track realignment work near Denmark;
$250,000 for the Shire of Cranbrook’s construction of a mixed use accommodation complex;
$140,00 for development of the Mount Barker Community Centre;
$160,000 to Walpole and District Seniors Association for construction of a 12-unit seniors village;
$20,000 for development of the Frankland River Wine Trail; and
$72,500 to increase capacity at the Walpole Community Resource Telecentre.
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