Western Australia’s 2025-26 State Budget brings sweeping investment to regional councils and local governments, with targeted funding set to improve infrastructure, community services, housing supply and essential amenities across the state.
At the heart of this investment is the $4 billion Royalties for Regions program, which underpins many council-facing projects, including road upgrades, housing development, and community infrastructure.
Local governments are also eligible for grants of up to $5 million through the Regional Housing Support Fund – a tool for councils struggling with land availability and workforce accommodation shortages. It directly empowers councils to unlock housing lots, support key worker accommodation, and partner with developers to expand supply.
Road safety is also a priority, with $250 million allocated over five years to expand the Regional Road Safety Program to include local government roads.
Councils will benefit from funding for shoulder sealing, audible line installation, and critical intersection upgrades – reducing crash risk on some of the state’s most hazardous stretches.
In the Wheatbelt, $25 million has also been committed to the Northam–Pithara Road Realignment and Bridge Replacement project, further demonstrating investment in council-managed assets.
Emergency services will be bolstered via a $3.5 million expansion of the Community Emergency Services Manager (CESM) program, supporting councils’ emergency planning and fire mitigation efforts. This includes additional CESM roles across the state, enhancing the capacity of small and remote shires to respond to bushfires and natural hazards.
Councils are also set to benefit from $3.1 million to establish a new State Bushfire Mitigation Branch, which will partner with local governments to deliver fuel reduction works on unmanaged lands. This is complemented by targeted mitigation funding for high-risk regions such as the Kimberley, Pilbara and Wheatbelt.
Across sport and community infrastructure, a new $25.2 million Regional Racing Fund will support upgrades at up to 24 racing venues–many of which are owned or operated in collaboration with local governments. Separate regional recreation grants will fund netball court upgrades, all-abilities playgrounds, and changeroom facilities for women and girls–projects often delivered through council partnerships.
The budget also earmarks $219.7 million for regional school infrastructure and programs, with dozens of small works packages and early childhood facility upgrades delivered in partnership with local governments or through approvals processes managed at the shire level.
Water, waste and energy infrastructure received key support as well. In Peel, $19.4 million is being invested in water and power upgrades to unlock residential land in Mandurah, South Yunderup and Pinjarra. Meanwhile, the $8.5 million Bindjareb-Djilba Plan will see councils co-managing estuary health and community grant allocations.
