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The $5 million Digital Farm Grants program has reached a milestone with the Chapman Valley-Northampton fixed wireless network now fully operational and boasting 37 new service connections.
Project completion has been well-timed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with families practising on-farm social distancing in the region resulting in a spike in requests for connections.
The State Government has provided $1 million to the Mid-West rollout, with a further $1.5 million of cash and value-in-kind contributed by local shires, grower groups and network and information technology company LogicIT Solutions.
High-speed broadband services are currently being provided to the Shires of Chapman Valley, Northampton, Irwin, Mingenew, Three Springs, Coorow, Carnamah, Morawa, Perenjori, and parts of the City of Greater Geraldton.
MWDC has been coordinating the efforts of the local governments since 2015 with the project having its origins through comprehensive effort in establishing a Mid West Digital Development Strategy.
The second Mid-West Digital Farm network, in the North Midlands, is due for completion by the end of June.
Full media statement: Communications investments benefit Mid West and Gascoyne
Today, local organisations Mid West Development Commission, the City of Greater Geraldton and the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry were honoured to attend our region's landmark Indigenous Land Use Agreement event in Geraldton.
The Yamatji Nation Claim achieved Consent Determination by the Federal Court at a public hearing which was attended by Yamatji people representing Mullewa Wadjari, Widi Mob, Hutt River and Southern Yamatji communities.
“The City of Greater Geraldton congratulates Yamatji Nation on this fantastic achievement and looks forward to understanding the opportunities on offer that will have a positive impact on our community,” City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said.
President of the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry Viki Fennell advises that “the Chamber will be looking forward to working very closely with the soon to be established Regional Corporation around identifying mutually beneficial opportunities, and potential partnerships that will drive new employment and business enterprise opportunities for the region.”
“Mid West Development Commission anticipates that this package will be an enabler for driving significant economic stimulus for our Yamatji Nation and the Mid West region, we are focused on being able to assist delivery on certain components of the agreement,” Mid West Development Commission Chair Todd West said.
Benefits will begin upon conclusive registration of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement, possibly around July 2020.
Once registered, the Regional Corporation will be established and funded to engage with opportunities and potential partnerships in the region.
General enquiries can be directed to yamatjinationagreement@dpc.wa.gov.au.
Projects supporting industry expansion and bringing new tourism experiences to the Mid West will share in $813,121 in funding through Round 2 of the Regional Economic Development (RED) grants.
The Vision 2020 Property Investment Partnership will direct $250,000 towards the construction of a 300-person conference facility in the Geraldton CBD to host regional conferences to attract more people into the town, providing wider economic benefits to local businesses such as accommodation providers, restaurants and cafes.
The Shire of Cue will use its $135,000 to construct a new six-unit building to expand its industrial area to meet demand for more facilities, particularly with two new mine sites due to open in the area in 2020, and create local job opportunities.
Fresh produce business 4 Ways Pty Ltd will receive $111,000 for an innovative project to build the resilience of the region's horticultural industry.
Southerlys has been allocated $110,000 to bring a new food and beverage tourism experience to the Dongara/Port Denison area, through the installation of a microbrewery and live lobster tank at the venue. The project is set to create up to seven new local jobs.
Full media statement: RED Grant job boost for Mid West
State Government has committed $30,000 via the Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions to develop a Moresby Range Conservation Park Eco Tourism and Recreation Masterplan, to activate the area as an affordable and accessible nature-based tourism and cultural experience.
In addition, the Shire of Chapman Valley will commit $15,000 towards the masterplan.
The masterplan will identify high value attractions, potential recreational opportunities, cultural experiences and access requirements to open up the park to the public.
Full media statement: Masterplan to unlock Mid-West’s iconic Moresby Range
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced the new and returning faces for the Mid West Development Commission, including the reappointment of Chairperson Todd West until June 2020.
A board member since July 2017, Mr West has a wealth of expertise in small business and is a strong advocate for regional issues and opportunities.
The Minister has also reappointed current board member Carole Minney until the end of 2019 and appointed new member Craig Patterson.
Mr Patterson was instrumental in the establishment of the Bayalgu Indigenous Pre-Employmet Training Program, an Aboriginal pre-employment initiative, and previously served as President of the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
As the Managing Director of civil and earthmoving company Centrals, Mr Patterson continues to have a hands-on role in day-to-day operations, focused on building lasting opportunities for local Aboriginal groups.
Full media statement: Board appointments to drive Mid West development
A Taste of Greater Geraldton Food Capability Guide, a collaboration between the City of Greater Geraldton and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, was officially launched this week.
More than 20 companies from the Mid West are featured in the guide, which is designed to help local growers pitch for further business, either as individuals or as a collective group.
The guide highlights the region’s diverse and vibrant range of produce by promoting our food growers, producers and manufacturers - to caterers, buyers and investors.
A Taste of Greater Geraldton will be distributed at the upcoming Perth Royal Show.
It is also available online on the Growing Greater Geraldton website.
Local Producers listed in the guide include: 6530 Honey; Aussie Pastries; Block275; Bookara Goat Dairy; Burnt Barrel; Chapman River Olives; Chapman Valley Fish Farm; Copperhead Road Distillery; Coral Coast Beef; Gearing Butcher; Georgina Grove; Geraldton Fisherman’s Cooperative; Illegal Tender Rum Co; Indian Ocean Fresh Australia; Latitude Fisheries; MEEDAC; My Provincial Kitchen; Red Lime Jones; Salt Dish; Sottaceto Preserves; Spruce Juice Company; Sun City Produce; Tara Beef; West Australian Octopus.
Full media statement:Local producers and growers highlighted in new guide
Up to $2 million from Round Two of the State Government's successful Digital Farm Grants program is now available to help expand enterprise-grade broadband for businesses and residents across regional Western Australia.
Matching grants of up to $500,000 are available to assist telecommunications providers to deliver fast, reliable, affordable and scalable broadband services to areas outside the current or planned National Broadband Network fixed wireless and fixed line footprints.
In Round One of the program, $5 million was granted to five grant recipients, to assist them in rolling out broadband services to more than 1,240 agribusinesses across 41,000 square kilometres - from Kununurra to Mount Barker.
Digital connectivity is essential for modern agribusinesses to access smart farming technologies, such as automated sensors, surveillance and data capture applications.
Applications for Round Two of the Digital Farm Grants program close Wednesday 4 December 2019.
For more information about the program or to submit an application - visit agric.wa.gov.au/digitalfarm.
Full media statement: More Digital Farm Grants available to bridge the digital divide
Digital connectivity in the Mid West has taken a leap forward today, with Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan switching on the latest telecommunications tower as part of a new wireless network delivered by the State Government's Digital Farm program.
High speed broadband services are now being provided to the Shires' of Irwin, Mingenew, Three Springs and Chapman Valley, with further services to be rolled out across the Shires' of Coorow, Carnamah, Morawa, Perenjori, Northampton and parts of the City of Greater Geraldton over the next few months.
The new networks are being installed by Geraldton based telecommunications company LogicIT Solutions using local labour and expertise, with financial and in-kind support from local shires and grower groups.
Broadband services are available to farmers through retail service Node1 Internet.
The State Government has invested $1 million in the Mid West networks through Digital Farm program, which attracted a further $1.5 million of financial and in-kind contributions from LogicIT, local shires and grower groups.
Minister MacTiernan today switched on a new fixed wireless tower at Eneabba, one of 29 towers making up the network across the Chapman Valley and North Midlands.
Twelve wireless towers are now active in the region, and LogicIT has upgraded the Mount Fairfax transmission tower near Geraldton with an 8.8 kilometre optic fibre backhaul link, to provide a base station for the Mid West networks.
The $5 million Digital Farm Grants program is helping to bridge the digital divide across regional Western Australia, delivering fast, reliable, affordable and scalable broadband services to areas outside the National Broadband Network's (NBN) fixed line and fixed wireless footprint.
Full media statement: High-speed broadband switching on in the Mid West
Premier Mark McGowan today announced the official creation of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park, located about 80km west of Geraldton.
The creation of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park coincides with the 400-year anniversary of the European sighting of the islands by Dutch explorer Frederik de Houtman.
The Abrolhos is the site of the notorious Batavia mutiny and a popular destination for fishing and nature appreciation.
The national park will be vested with the Conservation and Parks Commission and managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The national park will extend to the high-water mark with curtilages around the jetties at East Wallabi and Beacon islands.
Airstrips on North, East Wallabi and Rat islands are included in the national park.
It covers lands outside of areas leased to rock lobster and aquaculture fisheries.
Over the next two years, the State Government is investing $10 million into tourism and management infrastructure at the national park, including the construction of new jetties, toilets, shade shelters, walk trails and visitor interpretation on East Wallabi and Beacon islands. The airstrip on East Wallabi will also be upgraded.
A further operational budget has been allocated for the ongoing management of the islands, including for the employment of rangers.
Plan for Our Parks aims to create five million hectares of new national and marine parks and conservation reserves over the next five years.
Full media statement: Historic day for WA as Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park officially created
The State Government is continuing its investment in community-driven projects to create jobs and boost economic growth across regional Western Australia, today opening round two of the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The State Government has committed $28.8 million over five years towards the RED Grants program for projects that will directly benefit regional communities.
Round one investment totalled $6.38 million in 70 projects for initiatives including tourism expansion, Aboriginal training, new industry development and agricultural diversification.
Up to $250,000 is available for individual projects that promote sustainable jobs, partnerships, productivity, skills and capability, as well as stimulate new investment in industry diversification.
Applications for round two are now open and close on September 13, 2019.
More information about the program, including guidelines and application details are available via the RED Grants page.
Full media statement: Round two RED Grants now open
Premier Mark McGowan today officially opened Iluka Resources' Cataby mine in the Shire of Dandaragan.
The project, worth approximately $270 million, created 600 jobs during its construction phase and will sustain around 600 ongoing jobs across three Iluka sites during the 13-year life of the mine.
This includes 240 jobs at Cataby, 200 in Capel and 150 in Geraldton.Western Australia is the mineral processing hub of Iluka's Australian operations.
Overall, Iluka's mining, processing, rehabilitation and corporate activities employ approximately 800 WA workers.
Iluka expects average annual production from Cataby to be 200,000 tonnes of synthetic rutile (from 370,000 tonnes of ilmenite), 50,000 tonnes of zircon and 30,000 tonnes of rutile.
Synthetic rutile is an upgraded ilmenite product with increased titanium dioxide content.
Through its processing facilities at Capel, Iluka has the capacity to produce around 320,000 tonnes of synthetic rutile per annum.
The company's Narngulu mineral separation plant at Geraldton processes heavy mineral concentrate from Cataby and South Australia to produce rutile and zircon.
These mineral sands products are used in a range of industrial and household applications, including pigment, ceramics, titanium metal, water and air purification systems and fibre optics.
Full media statement: Premier officially opens Iluka Resources’ Cataby mine
A $1 million allocation will kick-start a pilot project that could evolve into a rolling program to seal the entirety of Wiluna-Meekatharra Road while creating ongoing work for locals.
The Wiluna-Meekatharra Road provides an important east-west transport link between the Northern Goldfields and the Mid West, Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.
The initial allocation of $1 million would help seal the first four kilometres between the Wiluna town site and an existing 10 kilometre asphalted section of the road.
If successful, the stakeholders would investigate the viability of creating a rolling program to seal further sections of the road.
Currently, 125km out of 180km of road between the towns of Wiluna and Meekatharra remains unsealed.
MWDC Chair Todd West said the Commission has had a longstanding priority to upgrading the ‘Goldfields Highway’.
“Sealing the highway will provide better freight efficiency advantages, safer passing opportunities and reduce road closures at floodways following rainfall,” he said.
“The Goldfields Highway is the last remaining unsealed section of the State Highway network, so this pilot is integral to kick-starting an important piece of infrastructure for the region.”
Full media statement: Wiluna-Meekatharra Road upgrade to support local jobs
The State Government is investing $10 million over the next two years to establish visitor operations and infrastructure at the proposed Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park.
This will include the creation of jetties, installation of signage and paths, and the expansion and upgrades to the airstrip.
A further $3.8 million will be spread over the four-year budget period for the ongoing management of the islands.
Known for its rich biodiversity and historic shipwrecks, the Abrolhos Islands and their surrounding coral reef communities form one of the world's most important seabird nesting areas.
It is also WA’s single largest western rock lobster fishery.
MWDC Chair Todd West said tourism infrastructure to support the development of the Abrolhos Islands has been a longstanding regional priority in the Commission’s tourism development strategy.
“We have seen fantastic growth in international visitation and a trend towards exploring our unique natural environment,” Mr West said.
“Easy access to the Abrolhos Islands represents a huge drawcard with a diverse range of experiences on offer.”
Full media statement: State Budget delivers increased funding for national parks and reserves
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly yesterday announced the State Government has committed $7 million over the next three years to help fast-track the growth of the Mid West aquaculture industry and create thousands of regional jobs in Western Australia.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will oversee the construction of a state-of-the-art marine finfish nursery facility at the Batavia Coast Maritime Institute in Geraldton to breed yellowtail kingfish.
The juvenile kingfish will be supplied to existing and new commercial operators within the Mid West Aquaculture Development Zone to grow in open water farms using sea cages.
This initiative will help kick-start the industry to achieve its growth potential, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and attract future capital investment.
Full media statement: $7 million to boost growth of the Mid-West aquaculture industry
More than $750,000 in grant funding for the Mid West region was announced today through the State Government's Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The projects receiving funding will help to drive new tourism experiences and agricultural opportunities.
Among the recipients are Abrolhos Island Oysters and Australian Pearling Company, who will receive $250,000 to assist with water and nutrient monitoring at the Abrolhos Islands site in order to obtain accreditation and classification as a harvest area for human consumption.
Rock oyster aquaculture is new in WA and this project provides the opportunity to explore potential growth and share learnings with other growers to help build the industry.
Dongara-based distillery Illegal Tender Run Co will receive a grant of $137,000 to expand operations and help make Dongara a food and beverage tourism destination.
The company aims to more than double its production, increase venue capacity and provide local employment opportunities. The distillery will also explore future opportunities to develop ‘ready to drink’ products for China.
Full media statement: Mid-West projects to receive more than $750,000 in grant funding
Central Regional TAFE's Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre was officially launched by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery yesterday. MWDC was represented at the launch by CEO, Gavin Treasure.
The Geraldton JSC is a one-stop-shop for jobseekers, students and career changers, supporting the employment and workforce needs of the Mid West region.Jobs and Skills Centres offer free training information and career development services to the local community.
Western Australians can access practical information and advice on training, employment and apprenticeship opportunities from a skilled team of careers professionals with industry partnerships and direct links into work.
The centre will provide local businesses and employers with business and workforce development advice to create employment, apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities.
Outreach services will be provided throughout the Mid West and Gascoyne regions, from Exmouth in the north, to Wiluna in the east and Cervantes in the south.
An additional drop-in centre will also be available to clients in Carnarvon at the Central Regional TAFE campus.
Full media statement: New Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre to boost opportunities for Mid-West region
A team of Australian engineers and scientists has finalised local infrastructure designs for the world's largest radio telescope – the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – a significant milestone for the billion-dollar global project.
The SKA Infrastructure Australia consortium, led by CSIRO, has designed everything from supercomputing facilities, buildings, site monitoring and roads, to the power and data fibre distribution that will be needed to host the instrument at CSIRO's Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO).
MWDC previously funded $10 million towards a hybrid solar power station to support the MRO.The project will include extensive solar photovoltaic array with short and long-term energy storage technologies able to provide over 50% of the MRO’s power needs from renewable sources.
SKA precursors; the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) and Murchison Widefield Array are already making scientific headlines, with the discovery of 20 new fast radio bursts during 2018 alone, nearly doubling the known number of these mysterious ‘flashes’ from deep space detected worldwide since 2007.
The SKA will explore the Universe in unprecedented detail, doing so hundreds of times faster than any current facility.
Full media statement: Australia designs local infrastructure for world's largest telescope
State Government has committed $4.6 million to upgrade the Bureau of Meteorology's Geraldton and Albany facilities to Doppler capability.
The improvements will generate valuable data on rainfall intensity and wind speed and direction, updated every six minutes on the Bureau's and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's websites.
The enhanced radar service, together with the department's network of 175 weather stations, will enable agribusinesses to make more informed, data driven decisions while also providing crucial information to emergency services.
Full media statement: Coastal radar upgrade to make WA’s weather service nation’s best
A new project has been awarded Regional New Industries Fund (RNIF) funding, as part of the State Government's commitment to support and accelerate new and emerging businesses that create jobs in the regions through innovation.
The Aquaculture Council of WA will use a $270 000 grant for a cross-region project, Rock Oyster Cluster, which will bring together proponents currently exploring rock oyster aquaculture feasibility in WA and trial various oyster species to determine the optimum species and gear for each location.
Full media statement: Regional New Industries Fund driving innovation
Following the State’s highly successful Renewable Hydrogen Conference in August this year, MWDC hosted the Mid West Hydrogen Workshop yesterday, examining opportunities to attract clean hydrogen projects to the Mid West region.
Hydrogen, when produced using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind, is a clean energy option and carbon free fuel that is gaining increasing global interest.
The forum brought together gas, mining, transport, electricity, infrastructure and government sectors to discuss developments in renewable hydrogen and options for encouraging local or national organisations to look to the Mid West to locate hydrogen pilot projects.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan opened the workshop and said regional Western Australia has incredible potential for renewable energy industries, with its large-scale solar and wind resources and strong export capability.
Full media statement: Mid-West a frontrunner in new hydrogen economy
A regional Western Australian boatbuilding company has been selected to deliver the next generation Transperth ferry.
The $2.6 million project, awarded to Dongara Marine, will deliver the third ferry in the Transperth fleet, after the MV Shelley Taylor-Smith and the MV Phillip Pendal.
The ferry will be built at Dongara Marine's Port Denison facility and, during peak construction, will create three additional local jobs, including one apprentice.
The contract is a huge win for the Mid West region and should also deliver positive regional benefits to subcontractors and suppliers.
MWDC has a strong commitment to diversifying the region's economic base, growing business, retaining, attracting and developing skilled people and maximising local jobs.
To support this focus, our local content advisor Gary Savill aims to maximise the participation of regional industry in contract opportunities.
Gary is available to provide an advisory and referral service to local businesses.
Full media statement: WA boatbuilder to deliver new Transperth ferry