Created on: 1/02/2008 12:01:58 PM
Mid West Developer
Feburary 2008
In this edition:
The Mid West Development Commission has recently launched a new website that will replace and improve on the organisations existing virtual shop front.
Commission CEO Steve Douglas is very pleased with the new site.
“We believe our new website offers a fresh and vibrant look. It also offers many useful and improved functions including the ability for clients to sign up for our electronic newsletter on line,” Mr Douglas said.
“Local business Market Creations have done a wonderful job creating a site to meet our needs and we are looking forward to using it for many years to come.”
Two Mid West projects have been successful in attracting $200,000 each through the Regional Headwork’s Program (RHP).
The RHP is one of five programs within the State’s Regional Investment Fund and is administered by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The program assists organisations and businesses with the costs associated with connecting to essential services like power, water and sewerage in regional areas.
In the latest round, local business Wests Glass secured $200,000 to upgrade power and enable the establishment of a toughened glass manufacturing facility in the region.
Wests Glass Director, Todd West is very pleased to receive the funding which he described as critical for establishing the new industry in the Mid West.
“It is good to see that the State Government allows small business to access funding in this area and the process was relatively simple without a lot of red tape,” Mr West said.
The Shire of Mingenew has also been granted $200,000 for headworks at the Ernest Street Industrial subdivision.
People interested in applying for funding should contact the Mid West Development Commission on 9921 0702 or contact the Department of Local Government and Regional Development on 92171465.
 Local families have received back to school relief thanks to an initiative delivered by the Mid West Community Foundation and the Western Australian Community Foundation.
To help reduce the burden of costs associated with the commencement of the new school year, $50 Back to School vouchers have been distributed to families in need through Centacare. The 2008 Back to School Program is an initiative of the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal and the Sidney Myer Fund and supported by the Sidney Myer Fund, VISY Bennelong Foundation, the DOXA Youth Foundation and the Estate of the Late Edward Wilson.
The recently established Mid West Community Foundation is a local philanthropic organisation that generates funding for charitable activities and projects by collecting and investing donations. In the future the income from investments will be used to provide a sustainable source of funding for the community, which will be distributed via a grants scheme.
MWDC Contact – Yvette Hollings 9921 0809
Image: Centacare Director Sister Mary Ryan, Mid West Community Foundation Chair Tammy Batten and advisory committee member Jenny Allen.
Oakajee Power
The Mid West Development Commission recently met with Western Power to discuss power requirements of the proposed Oakajee Port.
The electricity provider will make a case to the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) to construct a 132 or 330 Kv (kilovolt) power line between Geraldton and Northampton that will service the Oakajee Port and potentially the industrial estate, adjacent to it.
The ERA is WA’s independent economic regulator. It regulates monopoly aspects of the gas, electricity and rail industries as well as licenses providers of gas, electricity and water services to ensure these services are provided equitably.
The Mid West Development Commission will assist Western Power to compile a Load Development Report to satisfy the ERA’s New Facilities Investment Test. This test will determine if the revenue created over the life of the power line will offset the costs of building and maintaining the asset.
MWDC Contact – Michael Osborn 9921 0713
The Commission’s Mid West Strategic Infrastructure Group continues to meet on a bi-monthly basis. Comprising of government at all levels, as well as various industry and business associations, the Group continues to work to facilitate major resources projects. The group is chaired by MWDC Board Member Gary Collins with new MWDC Infrastructure and Business Development Manager Anne Finlay as Executive Officer.
Major items discussed at the January meeting were:
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Geraldton Port Authority’s draft Master Plan
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Discussion with Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance and its members - a follow up strategic planning session is planned
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Oakajee Transport and Services Corridor Study
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Industry water requirements and availability
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Power availability to Oakajee, major projects and communities
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Draft Mid West Infrastructure Analysis
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Development and piloting of a Sustainability Assessment for mining projects
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Community liaison and consultation
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Key planning issues to be discussed with new DPI head Eric Lumsden
MWDC Contact – Anne Finlay 9921 0786
The Austrade – Tradestart services provided by the Commission are now available to service based businesses.
The Mid West Development Commission has recently appointed Paul Frick as a Tradestart export advisor.
Mr Frick says changes to the Tradestart guidelines are very exciting.
“Where previously the service was only available to businesses wanting to export goods, it has now been expanded to include services like tourism, training and education,” Mr Frick said.
The Tradestart program is part of the Federal Government's Austrade program.
Through the program businesses can gain free access to Austrade’s expertise and network of employees based in Australian Embassies around the world. Export marketing development grants are also available to reimburse businesses for money spent on international marketing and promotion.
Mr Frick is interested in speaking to any business currently exporting or wanting to access export markets.
MWDC Contact – Paul Frick 9921 0715
The Mid West Regional Development Scheme (RDS) is again open for funding applications for local project proposals which will contribute to the social and economic development of the Mid West region.
The Mid West RDS annually allocates $500,000 in State Government Funds to local projects. Contributions of between $5,000 and $150,000 are available to community and industry groups or local governments for a range of different projects with a regional development focus.
Commission CEO, Steve Douglas said the RDS has become an invaluable program in supporting the sustainable development of the Mid West region.
“Most major and many smaller successful community projects across the region have received funding through the Scheme. Some of the better know projects include; the Yamaji Cultural Trails, the Geraldton Universities Centre, Sandstone Serviced Industrial Zone and the Carnamah Community and Arts Centre.” he said.
Over the past six and a half years the Commission has allocated close to $3M to worthy ventures with a combined total budget value of more than $25M dollars.
Applications for the current round of the Mid West Regional Development Scheme close on Friday 14th of March 2008.
MWDC Contact – Yvette Hollings 9921 0809
The Mid West Development Commission is working to maximise Geraldton-Greenough’s tourism potential.
The Commission is about to engage a consultant to produce a Tourism Strategy that will identify Geraldton’s potential as a tourism destination, and make recommendations as to what needs to happen in order to realise that potential.
The strategy will build upon recent research undertaken by Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) into visitor and non-visitor perceptions and behaviours regarding Geraldton and current gaps in accommodation, attractions and infrastructure for visitors to the city.
Commission Chief Executive Officer Steve Douglas said Tourism WA’s research has produced some interesting insights.
“The research indicates that because Geraldton is primarily perceived as a “stop-over” town, many visitors passing though have low expectations and as a result have neither a good nor a bad experience in Geraldton,” Mr Douglas said.
“A neutral position is not a bad place to start and we hope that the Commission’s Tourism Strategy will identify how to make those experiences both positive and profitable.”
A reference group has been established to guide the project. Chaired by the Commission, the group includes representatives from the City of Geraldton - Greenough, Geraldton Regional Tourism Association, Tourism WA, Mid West Gascoyne Area Consultative Committee, Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Australia’s Coral Coast.
MWDC Contact – Yvette Hollings 9921 0809
The new Marine Services Precinct will take shape over the coming months.
This facility will be located at the fishing boat harbour and will be managed and operated independently by a consortium of industry representatives, Geraldton Boat Lifters Inc who have contributed capital to the project.
Construction of the precinct's centre piece, a 200 tonne travel lift is complete. Four semi trailer loads of components will be transported to Geraldton in the coming weeks to be erected on site.
Fencing and hardstand construction have already commenced at the site.
It is forecast, that after ten years, the precinct will generate more than 600 direct and indirect jobs and inject $15 million annually into the Mid West economy.
Geraldton Boat Lifter Limited Project Manager Wayne Proudlove anticipates the precinct will be operational by May or June this year.
“We are receiving lots or enquiries from potential clients with boats ready to come out of the water and use the facility.” Mr Proudlove said.
Funding for the project has been sourced from the State and Federal Governments as well as industry. The Geraldton Port Authority has also made a significant in-kind contribution.
MWDC contact – Neil Condon 9921 0704
Funding and support is now available for initiatives to reduce waste and increase recycling in Western Australia.
The Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme has been established by the Waste Management Board to help the state achieve the vision of “Towards Zero Waste in Western Australia”.
The following priority project areas have been identified for this round:
The Waste Management Board will consider applications that focus on current priority areas and complement the work being undertaken by the Board.
To arrange to speak to the relevant Project Coordinator and access the guidelines and application form, please contact Sylvia Bulner on 6467 5230 or email her at Sylvia.Bulner@dec.wa.gov.au.
Applications are due by 5pm Friday 14th March 2008.
Commission CEO Steve Douglas will be presenting at two major resource and infrastructure forums over the next few months, details are below:
Mining the Mid West 27-29th February 2008 - Medina Grand, Perth
www.tonkincorporation.com
WA Ports & Export Infrastructure Summit 8-9th April 2008 - Duxton Hotel, Perth
www.informa.com.au/waports |