Funds to go to communities

The WA Budget has revealed $150 million could be spent on the State's plan for reform in Aboriginal communities.

Starting in 2014-15, $50 million will be allocated each financial year up to 2016-17 towards the Royalties for Regions Regional Reform Fund.

The account has been developed to fund strategic reform initiatives and will focus first on Aboriginal initiatives.

Earlier this month, the State Government announced it would have a "bottom-up" approach to reform, with advisory groups reporting to Regional Development Minister Terry Redman and Child Protection Minister Helen Morton, who would answer to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Peter Collier.

The reforms were sparked by the withdrawal of Commonwealth funding towards most municipal and some essential services delivered to the 274 remote communities in WA.

A final payment of $90 million was given to the State by the Federal Government in October to bridge a transitional period under the condition WA would take on the full responsibility of remote services from July 1.

To that effect, the State Government has put in $25.6 million for 2015-16 to go towards the provision of essential and municipal services as it works out through the reform process how communities will be funded in the future.

A further $6 million was also allocated in the Budget from 2015-16 to 2017-18 for ear health in remote Aboriginal communities.

Mining and Pastoral Labor MLC Stephen Dawson said there was no doubt more money needed to be spent on Aboriginal initiatives.

"There's been lots of concern over the last few months in remote communities - people didn't know what the future held for them," he said.

"I think the Premier has now realised the concern in the community.

"Look at some of the remote communities in the Pilbara - we already have huge amounts of people living in two-bedroom houses.

"They don't have the housing that's needed, or the proper power services that are needed."