WITH Sunday marking the first year in office for the McGowan Labor government, the Courier investigated how the pre-election promises are tracking since March 11, 2017.
Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby and Premier Mark McGowan have delivered on most if not all of the promises that directly relate to the Rockingham area.
Some state-wide promises that also affect Rockingham residents that have been delivered are the plastic bag ban (begins in July), legislation to remove limitation periods for civil actions by victims of child sexual abuse and a freeze on politician’s pay packets.
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READ NOWDuring the election campaign Mr Whitby said he met community members and groups in a bid to understand their needs.
It resulted in these election commitments being made:
n A $100,000 dollar for dollar commitment with the City of Rockingham, resulting in a total $200,000 for the Baldivis Brumbies Football Club to provide a new surface and irrigation to their home ground; and
n Nature playgrounds to the tune of $50,000 for each school have been delivered to Bertram and Makybe Rise primary schools and Tranby College.
Mr McGowan made several commitments to his Rockingham electorate that have been delivered.
These were new scoreboards and flooring at the Mike Barnett Sports Centre at a cost of $373,000, while new clubrooms for the Rockingham Tennis Club and the Rockingham Rams Football Club each received $60,000 and the Peel Riding for the Disabled received $50,000 of $750,000 promised for it to have its own grounds at Mead Farm, with the rest of the money paid in instalments.
Mr McGowan and Mr Whitby delivered $200,000 for the Baldivis Children’s Forest to go towards the construction of a classroom and administration area.
Kwinana MLA Roger Cook said he had delivered on his promises.
“I’m delighted that work has begun on the roundabout at the intersection of Hammond and Russell roads and Frankland Avenue; it’s a major local project that will significantly ease traffic congestion in Hammond Park,” he said of the $250,000 project.
Other promises are $60,000 for new lights to enable night games to be held by the Kwinana Knights Football Club, paint works for North Parmelia Primary School for $20,000, a carpark at the Multicultural Centre in Wellard, a dog park in Aubin Grove and the new Frank Konecny Sensory Playground in Kwinana.
Warnbro MLA Paul Papalia said he had delivered on his promises, with the main one, a train station at Karnup on the Mandurah line, already at the planning stage and due for construction in 2020.
His other promises were $100,000 for the Secret Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club for new mobile lookout towers, a vehicle and signs, a new sealed carpark for the Rockingham Lakes Primary School for $150,000 and new roof coverings at the Warnbro Bowling Club for its greens of $150,000.
One promise he is still working on is a safer children’s crossing in Secret Harbour, to install CCTV and lighting for $20,000.
“I have been working with the City of Rockingham, the school’s P&C and the police to resolve the issue of people speeding through the area,” he said.
“The big one and important for me is the Peel Riding for the Disabled as this group services clients from the whole Peel region.”
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