Shire of Harvey outlines $32 million project funding wishlist for area ahead of State and Federal elections

The Shire of Harvey has revealed a more than $32 million wishlist as it hopes to secure project funding ahead of next year’s State and Federal elections. With the State election taking place in March and the Federal election needing to happen before May, the council last week revealed its advocacy priority list which will guide fund seeking activities as commitments to garner votes start to flow. While there are 14 projects on the wishlist, the shire’s priority will be on five top items, hoping to secure more than $28 million in support. At the top of the list is the Leschenault Leisure Centre court expansion project, with council asking for $15.5 million from the State and Federal governments. The figure is on top of $3 million already committed by the State Government and $5.5 million in funding from the council. Stage 1 of the Harvey Community Precinct comes in at second place at a $6.1 million request - though the council has committed $9.4 million towards the project. Works on ovals 7 and 8 at Leschenault Recreational Park ($4 million) and a spur track for the Munda Biddi Trail ($2.4 million) round out the seven-figure requests. An accessible playground at Harvey’s Meriden Park is the cheapest of the top five priority projects, with the council seeking $670,000. The council has committed to spend $20 million of its own funds if the five projects are funded. Shire president Michelle Campbell said the selected projects are supported by the community and are prioritised based on need. “These projects have undergone public consultation, design workshops, extensive stakeholder engagement and align with State and Federal government strategic priorities and funding opportunities,” she said. “Our hope is that our advocacy efforts will be successful in securing us the funding we need to create a region that can support our population growth well into the future.” It comes as the two elections are set to be more tightly contested due to changing circumstances. At a Federal level, the retirement of Liberal MP Nola Marino could see Forrest more hotly contested than in the past. While former WA Senator Ben Small is the favourite to retain the seat for the party, his task could be made more difficult by Voices for Forrest movement who announced their candidate on Sunday. At a State level, Labor MP Robyn Clarke will face a more difficult path to retain Murray-Wellington after cruising to victory in the 2021 Labor landslide.