Opposition’s Augusta-Margaret River ‘listening tour’ demands Labor ‘stop ignoring’ growing tourism region

A tour of the region by Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has reopened the debate about whether the State Government was giving booming tourism towns like Margaret River adequate support. The Liberal leader was flanked not only by deputy and former leader Libby Mettam during the week-long foray across the Capes and down to Manjimup, but also their cross-party friends from the Nationals WA. New Warren-Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts joined the power couple as they stopped at key locations including Margaret River Hospital and Margaret River Senior High School. Amid meetings with community leaders voicing a common theme — the State Government under Labor had failed to follow through on funding to support the demand for services such as health and education — Mr Zempilas told the Times it was time for Labor to listen up. “Whether it is education infrastructure or much needed hospital upgrades, it’s clear this Government has completely ignored the Margaret River region,” he said. “Despite the rapid population growth and the fact the region attracts visitors from across the State and the world, the Margaret River community is missing out. “Pressures are everywhere from an overcrowded high school, clogged local roads, under-resourced waste systems and stretched emergency services.” Ms Mettam — who is the local MP for Vasse — focused on the Margaret River Hospital as a key issue of contention, along with other issues such a growth pains at Cowaramup Primary School which she has campaigned on, regardless of them being outside of her electorate. “Our hardworking doctors, nurses and staff do a fantastic job under pressure, but they need the facilities to match the growing demand,” she said. “It’s simply not good enough that the business case for the future of Margaret River Hospital hasn’t even been released while the Cook Labor Government prioritises elsewhere.” Mr Eatts told the Times his takeaway from the tour was that Labor had to “stop ignoring the South West”. The leadership tour took in his home town of Manjimup too, and Mr Eatts said the “listening tour” heard concerns from residents about the State Government “failing to keep pace with the region’s needs” despite its vital economic and tourism roles. “This community helps put WA on the map, but it’s being left off the Government’s,” he said. “Locals are sick of being treated like an afterthought. We need investment that matches our growth, and services that match our needs.” A State Government spokesperson repeated pledges for the Education Department to monitor school enrolment growth and that Labor was committed to the region. They then pointed to August’s meeting of Cabinet in Bunbury — and commitments to Bunbury Port, Bunbury Regional Hospital, and the proposed advanced manufacturing and technology hub in nearby Picton — as further proof of the importance of the region in the WA economy. The spokesperson said the Opposition “failed to lay a single brick” at Margaret River SHS while in government, claiming credit for $30 million of the so-far incomplete school expansion plan that was pledged by the Liberal-National government before Labor took power in 2017.