Temporary Accommodation for Workers Program Announced

Builders undertaking restoration works in the Mid West following the devastation of April’s ex TC Seroja will soon have access to temporary regional accommodation. 

Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price said I have been pushing to get this issue resolved. The lack of suitable accommodation for builders and tradespeople has hampered reconstruction and recovery efforts.

 “The Temporary Accommodation for Workers Program will enable builders to stay locally while undertaking much-needed work,” Ms Price said.

 “Temporary accommodation will also be available for workers from other industries that are equally critical in helping impacted communities to get back on their feet and recover from this disaster.

“A mix of temporary accommodation solutions have been considered under this program to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and tailored to local needs including 60 beds in Kalbarri and mobile accommodation units stationed inland where required,” she said.

“While the recovery and rebuilding effort is expected to take some time, we will continue to support impacted communities for as long as it takes. The Temporary Accommodation for Workers Program is in addition to the record $107.1 million recovery packages previously announced which I fought hard for,” Ms Price said.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

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 Media Contact:

Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.

Another year of Mining Muscle in Durack

Resources projects in regional Western Australia are continuing to drive jobs and economic growth as confirmed in the latest export forecasts.

Resource and energy export earnings are forecast to reach a staggering $379 billion in 2021–22 with hundreds of new projects in the pipeline, including 161 in Western Australia.

The December edition of the Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ) from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources found that high commodity prices, good volume growth and a weak Australian dollar are driving a surge in export earnings.

Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price said many in her electorate continue to benefit from not just the state royalties, but the jobs created by existing and new resources and energy projects.

“Projects in the pipeline could create hundreds of jobs in construction and hundreds of ongoing jobs across Durack including hydrogen, ammonia and carbon capture and storage projects,” Ms Price said.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said that the resources sector once again has been shown to be the bedrock of the Australian economy and would strongly support the nation’s future growth.

In 2020–21 resources and energy earnings passed $300 billion for the first time, reaching $310 billion, and are now forecast to top that by $69 billion in 2021–22.

The latest Resources and Energy Quarterly and the Resources and Energy Major Projects 2021 report are available on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website.
ENDS

Media Contact:

Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.

$250 Million Available for Projects in Durack

The Morrison Government continues to invest in the future of Durack with a further $250 million in funding available under the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).

Applications for Round Six of the program are now open under two streams. The Infrastructure Projects Stream supports the construction or upgrade of infrastructure and the Community Investments Stream for community development activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, leadership and capability building activities.

Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price is encouraging local councils and community organisations to start preparing applications for projects to receive a share of $250 million.

“I have seen the great results achieved by numerous Durack communities because of this funding and is testament to the continuous investment by the Morrison Government in regional and remote communities,” Ms Price said.

“Previous BBRF projects in Durack communities have included very diverse projects like the development of Gascoyne Junction tourism facilities, improving a town’s recycled water facilities and the transformation of Mt Magnet’s disused Lloyd’s building into a thriving community multi - use facility. All these projects ensure communities have the facilities they need for the future while creating jobs, improving local amenity and driving our economic recovery,” she said.

There were 11 successful Durack applicants in Round Five including a $7.5 million infrastructure upgrade of taxiways at the Kununurra airport to $18, 000 for an Astro-tourism event in the Mingenew Shire.

Applications close on Thursday, 10 February 2022.  Application details here.

Building Better Regions Fund Infrastructure Projects Stream - Round Six | business.gov.au

Building Better Regions Fund - Community Investments Stream - Round Six | business.gov.au

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 Media Contact:

Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.

More Connectivity Opportunities for Durack

Applications for the second round of the Morrison Government’s highly successful Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) are now open.

Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price says Round 2 of this program is an exciting opportunity for many Durack regional and remote communities.

“I know Round 1 of this program has made a real difference to telecommunications across a number of Durack Shires and communities and I would encourage more applications for this round which reflects the Morrison Government’s commitment to regional Australia,” Ms Price said.

“Round 1 of the RCP funded 25 connectivity projects in Durack with an investment of more than $17 million which included satellite broadband, Fixed Wireless broadband, Fibre broadband and mobile voice and data infrastructure solutions. Almost$7 million of that investment was to Kimberley projects,” she said.  

 There is up to $112 million available in Round 2 with a focus to provide place-based grants to areas of high economic and or social value and outside the NBN Fixed line footprint where better connectivity and increased data have a clear benefit to a local region

“I am particularly pleased that in this RCP round, approximately $45 million worth of dedicated funding for telecommunications infrastructure in Northern Australia is included, under the Connecting Northern Australia initiative,” Ms Price said.

The Australian Government has invested approximately $229 million in the program, committing $117.4 million under Round 1 to deliver more than 130 projects.

Applicants will be expected to provide a financial co-contribution to the capital costs of the building or installing for each project.

Round 2 guidelines of the Regional Connectivity Program are now available online: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-technology-communications/internet/regional-connectivity-program

Applications close 5pm AEDT on January 27 2022.

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Media Contact:

Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.

New Hydrogen Clusters to Boost Job Opportunities for Durack

Two new hydrogen technology clusters have been announced in the Durack electorate, providing significant opportunities for investment and jobs in the region.

 Member for Durack Melissa Price said she had been pushing for the Gascoyne and the Midwest to join the Pilbara as a location for a new regional hydrogen technology cluster.

 The new clusters will further support the development of Australia’s future clean hydrogen industry.

 “People in the Gascoyne and Midwest regions of WA will now have important roles to play in our Government’s push to fast-track the development of a clean hydrogen industry,” Minister Price said.

 “I know my constituents in regional WA will embrace the opportunity to be at the forefront of this important industry for Australia.

 “I have been a strong advocate for hydrogen clusters in the Gascoyne and the Midwest, so this is a very pleasing outcome.”

 The clusters will operate under the Hydrogen Technology Cluster Australia project, an initiative of independent National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), which is funded by the Morrison Government’s Industry Growth Centres.

 They aim to bring together local players to build the regions’ skills and advance commercialisation opportunities.

 “These new clusters support our Government’s investment of more than $1.2 billion to fast-track the development of an Australian hydrogen industry,” Minister Price said. 

 Clean hydrogen could directly support 16,000 jobs by 2050, plus an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of related renewable energy infrastructure.

 Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could also generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050.

Media contacts

Rose Crane (Minister Price’s office): 0427 587 395