South West Development Commission
Strategic priority - Infrastructure and Environment
Urban renewal was a major area of focus for us during the year. As a result, we were involved with efforts to enhance main streets and transform suburbs across the region - with many of these urban renewal projects reaching milestones in the year in review.
For example, a townscape improvement project in Brunswick Junction came to a conclusion with the installation of underground power, completion of major streetscape works and creation of a civic hub - all of which was officially launched in March 2011.
We were also involved in the redevelopment of the Collie town centre, the revitalisation of Collie's Wilson Park, and improvement works to Cowaramup and Balingup's main streets.
Across in the Harvey region, funding we provided to a tourism committee led by the Harvey Visitor Centre saw the implementation of a range of initiatives to raise awareness of the Pinjarra-Brunswick area as a tourist destination. The installation of a billboard on the Forrest Highway in April 2011 to encourage people to turn off the main road to explore Waroona and Harvey was a significant achievement by the committee.
We continued our association with Lake Kepwari, a project to turn a flooded former coal mine into a recreational playground. While we had hoped to be able to report that the lake had been opened to the public by now, its completion has been held up by issues surrounding liability of the site.
In addition to urban renewal projects, we continued with our efforts to ensure industry in the South West has room to grow in the future. In 2010/11 we were once again a member of the Kemerton Industrial Park Coordinating Committee, and we continued to support the land development of the Shotts Industrial Park near Collie.
As part of our efforts to ensure local industries remain competitive and sustainable, we saw the completion of a two-stage study into the timber industry in the Manjimup shire that we commissioned. And we were pleased the first two stages of the South West Region Industrial Land Study, a report designed to guide the future of industrial land supply in the South West, were completed.
In terms of natural resource management, we were involved in a study into the health of the Leschenault Estuary. We also continued our support for Murdoch University's South West Marine Research Program, our commitment to the Busselton Wetlands project, and our support for the Collie River restoration project.
Quick read
Quick read
Projects in focus
Busselton Jetty refurbishment
The restored Busselton Jetty, with its mini train and underwater
observatory, is a drawcard for tourists.
There was sun, sand and Ceberano when the iconic Busselton Jetty was officially reopened in February 2011 with one of the biggest community celebrations ever seen in the beachside town - and there was every reason to celebrate.
The Busselton Jetty Fiesta, which incorporated a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Premier Colin Barnett and a concert headlined by Australian singer Kate Ceberano, marked the popular tourist attraction's return to its former glory after a $27.1million refurbishment.
It also represented a job well done by the South West Development Commission.
Even before efforts to rebuild the structurally unsafe Busselton Jetty got underway in 2009, we had been working behind the scenes to ensure the success of the refurbishment project.
Not only did we administer the State Government's $24million grant and contribute $10,000 towards the Busselton Jetty Fiesta, we also provided project support during the refurbishment works.
We are proud to say that the venture was a success. The timber jetty is now re-established as one of Western Australia's top tourist attractions, with more than 100,000 visitors recorded between reopening and June 30 2011.
The Busselton Jetty refurbishment is just one example of how we are investing in infrastructure in the region.
The refurbishment of the jetty, together with the planned upgrades to the Busselton foreshore, will help improve Busselton's waterfront for visitors and tourists alike.
Infrastructure and Environment - at a glance
Other ways we invested in infrastructure and environment:
- Supported the Busselton Wetlands project, a nature-based tourist experience and walking trails
- Supported the South West Region Industrial Land Study, a project to address the future industrial land supply needs of the South West
- Continued to support endeavours to increase the capacity of the Busselton Regional Airport to accept domestic and international flights as well as fly-in, fly-out charters
- Revised the Roads to Export submission to Infrastructure Australia, which then progressed from an 'early stage' project to one of 'real potential'
Deanmill
The Commission worked to achieve security for residents of
Deanmill.
The historic timber town of Deanmill is leased by Gunns Limited. So when the timber products company closed the doors on its jarrah sawmill in 2010/11, residents of the town and mill workers faced an uncertain future.
We immediately began working with Gunns Limited, the Shire of Manjimup and State Government agencies to explore opportunities for tenants of the town's mill houses.
Our initial work involved investigating affordable options to allow current tenants to purchase the houses they had been renting.
To achieve an affordable housing strategy for Deanmill residents, we commissioned a study to confirm if there were any impediments to such a proposal.
Once this study is complete, a detailed financial and business case for the proposal will be developed. It will also be necessary to identify any infrastructure upgrades.
The rationale for us undertaking this work is to give the Deanmill community certainty for the future, while preserving a village with significant heritage qualities.
Our efforts will provide an affordable housing strategy and, most importantly, provide an opportunity for existing tenants to gain security over the houses they occupy.
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