Published on Friday, 30 November 2012 at 12:00:00 AM
The Premier of WA Colin Barnett visited Tom Price last week, the first time since the late 1990’s when he was Minister for Resources Development. “At the time there was a corroboree,” said Mr Barnett “I remember the experience well and it was the first time I had eaten bungarrow.”
CEO Jeffrey Breen and Premier Colin Barnett
“It’s great to come back, I think Tom Price is the most beautiful town in the Pilbara,” he said. "It is a beautiful setting with the rugged red hills around it, and I’m really pleased to see the town centre revitalisation project. I think it shows confidence of the future of this town." Mr Barnett said that although construction is behind schedule, it is looking great, and the town centre will be a lovely place for people to meet and gather in Tom Price.
Mr Barnett and The Shire of Ashburton CEO, Jeffery Breen, also took the opportunity to visit a temporary recording studio to listen to the 'Sounds of Tom Price', part of regional music project produced by Nigel Bird and WAM. Mr Barnet acknowledged the importance of community music projects like this in regional WA, where most social interaction opportunities are based around sporting activities.
Colin Barnett, Jeffrey Breen and Nigel Bird, Regional Officer, WAM
Mr Barnett had spent three days in the Pilbara to look at some of the issues facing people who live and work in the Pilbara. "Maybe it has taken a while but it is finally being recognised that people live in a harsh environment and work hard, and remote cities deserve top class metropolitan standard hospitals, health care and education," said Mr Barnett.
The State Government's long-term focus is on regional WA and by the end of 2014-15, more than $1 billion will be invested in the Pilbara Cities project.
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