Forest management and funding for natural attractions highlight State Budget for Lower South West

Funding natural attractions and the future of native forests have been the main spending focuses for the Lower South West in last week’s State Budget. There were no surprises for the region on the day, with $67.2 million for a forest management plan the major spending commitment. The plan will focus on climate action and forest health in native forests in the wake of the State Government’s controversial ban on native logging. Funding for the plan has been confirmed for the next four years, and is estimated to create 65 jobs across the South West and Perth metropolitan area. Spending has also been focused on outdoor activity and tourism, with $3m committed to the reopening of the Gloucester and Bicentennial trees. Also, $8 million will be pumped into a Pemberton trails master plan, which includes the Pemberton Circuit Hike, Two Rivers Adventure Ride and the first two stages of the Pemberton Arboretum mountain bike trails. A number of camp sites and national parks are also in line for funding, with $1.5m to go towards planning, designing and constructing coastal camping sites in the D’Entrecasteaux National Park. Big Brook Arboretum Campground will also receive $750,000 for an upgrade and expansion. There’ll be $250,000 spent on each of Draftys and Warren, Crystal Springs, and Greens Island campgrounds, while an additional $250,000 will go towards upgrading camp sites around the South West’s major lakes. Away from the natural environment, $1m has been committed to Manjimup Senior High School for repurposing a classroom into a STEM laboratory. The Lower South West will also benefit from other regional schemes, including the increase in value of the regional pensioner travel card and the expansion of the free regional school bus services.