2025-26 State Budget: What it means for the Peel

The 2025-26 State Budget was unveiled on Thursday with significant investments in health infrastructure, mental health services, community safety, housing and community services.

But what does it mean for people living in the Peel region?

HEALTH

• $150 million towards the redevelopment of Peel Health Campus.

COST OF LIVING

• $337 million will go towards the WA Residential Battery Scheme, providing Synergy customers with up to $5000 towards the cost of a household battery.
• $152 million to introduce the Suburban Flat Fare that will cap public transport fares at the cost of a one-zone ticket for all public transport, including for commuters on the Mandurah rail line, as well as regional bus services including the Waroona Shopper;
• $18.2 million to halve TransWA fares, including the Australind train and bus services connecting towns in regional WA;
• $250 for every secondary student and $150 for every primary and kindergarten student, through the second round of the Western Australian Student Assistance Payment.

WATER

• $9.7 million to begin providing infill sewerage services in Falcon; and
• $8.5 million to improve the water quality in the Peel‑Harvey estuary and continue the delivery of the Bindjareb Djilba (Peel-Harvey Estuary) Protection Plan.

HOUSING

• $19.4 million will be spent on upgrading power and water infrastructure to enable to development of more residential housing lots in Mandurah, South Yunderup and Pinjarra

ROADS

• $8.5 million towards stage one of the signalised pedestrian crossings program, including on Mandurah Road, near Coodanup Drive in Dudley Park, to cater to students at Dudley Park Primary School; and
• $3 million to improve access to Forrest Highway from Austin Lakes in South Yunderup, including upgrades to Shoales Bend and the intersection of Forrest Highway and Beacham Road.

EDUCATION

• $28 million to expand the School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfasts five days a week at more than 650 schools, including in the Peel region;
• $200,000 to begin planning for a proposed new secondary school in Dawesville

SPORT AND RECREATION

• $20 million towards the new Peel Netball Centre, with the location to be developed in consultation with the community and Netball WA;
• $6 million towards additional multi use indoor courts at Mandurah Aquatic Centre to cater for basketball, volleyball, badminton and netball; and
• $200,000 towards storage at Peel Reserve Oval to cater to the Halls Head Cricket Club and Mandurah City Football Club.
• $1.5 million for upgrades to Dwellingup Oval
• $1.5 million to create a new walking and cycling path from Serpentine town to the Serpentine National Park;
• $1.45 million towards a new pavilion at Dwellingup Oval, including women's changerooms;
• $800,000 towards new women's changerooms at Waroona Football Club;
• $800,000 towards upgrades at North Pinjarra Park including for the multi-use courts, play area and barbeques;
• $400,000 towards lighting and storage upgrades at Merlin Street Reserve, used by the Halls Head Football and Netball Club; and
• $180,000 to improve women's facilities at Sir Ross McLarty Oval in Pinjarra.

RACING

• $7.5 million for major facility upgrades at the Pinjarra Race Club; and
• $2.2 million for upgrades to the Pinjarra Harness Racing Club.

"This budget delivers real outcomes for Mandurah and the Peel region - with record investment in community infrastructure, support for local groups, and targeted relief for families doing it tough," Mandurah MLA Rhys Williams said.

"It reflects the Cook Government's strong financial stewardship and commitment to local communities."

But Canning MP Andrew Hastie said the budget exposes a familiar pattern of unfulfilled promises and misplaced priorities.

“Again, the Cook Government has presented us with a Budget that’s all spin and no substance,” Mr Hastie said. 

“Take Peel Health Campus—Labor has just reannounced the same funding for the redevelopment that it promised years ago, but there’s been absolutely zero progress.

“For another year, we’ve been handed a spreadsheet instead of a shovel. It’s a slap in the face to people from Mandurah and the Peel Region who are crying out for better health services.” 

Mr Hastie said there was no mention of the Karnup Train Station or Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation project in the Budget.

“At the end of the day, we have a block of land in Karnup that’s been sitting vacant for a decade—land that the Government promised to build a new train station on," he said.

“When the Albanese Government ripped $200 million from the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation, WA Labor promised the project would still go ahead with full state funding. But this year’s State Budget tells a different story — no new funding and a full year’s delay."

For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au