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We have five areas of focus which respond to regional need and align with Government priorities and our legislative framework.

Regional Liveability

Making our region a good place to live is critical for the wellbeing of regional residents, and underpins labour market and community resilience.

The Commission recognises that a high level of liveability and connectivity is critical to ensure the Mid West region is competitive as an investment and lifestyle destination.
The Commission is focused on working with the responsible State and Federal Government departments and regional stakeholders to improve access to education and health services, maximise opportunities, and enhance quality of life.
In order to build key sector capacity and to cater for community and regional growth, the Commission continues to play a lead role working across industry and government to deliver greater housing choice.

Regional housing:

Geraldton Housing Development Forum

The Commission hosted the Geraldton Housing Development Forum in June 2023 starting an ongoing discussion with builders, developers, landholders and other key Government and private sector stakeholders in an effort to address and improve ongoing and future efforts to address worker housing shortages.

The Forum provided attendees with information about State and Commonwealth funding opportunities, initiatives for the construction sector and an opportunity to participate in facilitated workshops which aimed to establish a clear understanding of the constraints, challenges and opportunities for Geraldton housing supply.

Key findings from the workshop identified the need for:

Addressing the housing need that is being created by significant project-driven population growth;
The development of a Housing Plan for Geraldton and formation of a Housing Advisory Group made up of key local stakeholders;
Streamlined and improved investment attraction, facilitation and approval processes for investors and developers;
Support for innovative and non-traditional options for housing;
Major project proponents to partner with local builders and developers to build housing to support their workforces; and
Interventions by government that will enable positive outcomes for Geraldton and the wider Mid West.

Registration of Proposed Solutions

The current and future shortage of housing in Geraldton and the wider Mid West is impacted by the growing population to support projects such as the Geraldton Port Maximisation (PMax) project, CBH infrastructure upgrades, Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment, infrastructure, and major project development in the Arrowsmith and Oakajee areas.

This growth, and the need to attract and retain population, underlines the importance of supporting and enhancing liveability in the Mid West.

The Registration of Proposed Solutions (ROPS) process announced at the Geraldton Housing Development Forum is an enabling tool providing an opportunity for developers, builders, housing providers and industry proponents to submit a range of potential solutions and housing options to help improve Geraldton’s liveability.

Submissions will provide an important indication of market interest and positive solutions to the housing challenges currently experienced, and guide the next steps for a preferred solution.

North Midlands Housing

The Commission supported a Curtin University study into the North Midlands housing market ‘Exploring challenges for housing supply and affordability in the Mid West’.

The project identified local housing issues (cost, stock available and quality of housing) experienced in the North Midlands subregion and untapped opportunities from a stakeholder perspective.

Stakeholder engagement and data analysis outcomes in the report provided possible directions for local housing policy development and housing delivery mechanisms that could contribute to building resilience and increasing liveability in the North Midlands subregion.

Leveraging planned infrastructure delivery and mining projects linked to renewable energy was identified as a major opportunity to address emerging housing issues through:

Working together through mechanisms such as the North Midlands Executive Group and Arrowsmith Development Hub;
Inclusion of housing in planning processes for major infrastructure delivery;
Ensuring hard and soft social infrastructure services can meet the needs of the community; and
Increased communication and collaboration between all stakeholders involved.

Report outcomes will be utilised in future discussions with local government and major project proponents in the Arrowsmith group to enable potential funding and or support for housing in the North Midlands.

Murchison Housing

The Commission funded an options report to assess the numerous challenges facing delivery of housing in the Murchison subregion, and propose interventions to help address short and long term housing shortages.

Collaboration was identified as a major opportunity in addressing housing challenges through the pooling of resources and knowledge to attract funding support and deliver housing.

Temporary and transient worker housing is also highlighted as a core opportunity with a focus on development that maximises social and community benefits.

Each area of focus has associated actions to address both short and long term housing issues with a mix of advocacy, stakeholder engagement, policy work and housing delivery as the focus.

The housing options report for the Murchison subregion will be used as a guide for future housing discussions.

Regional Drought Resilience Planning:

Mid West pilot region

Western Australia has a history of drought and drying climate, and it is vital that effective, community identified solutions are developed to mitigate its effects.

Drought is a feature of current and future climate change impacts.

The Future Drought Fund (FDF) set up by the Australian Government invests $100 million annually into projects across Australia to strengthen regional drought resilience.

The Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) Program is one of eight foundational programs under the FDF and was delivered in three pilot regions (Mid West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern) in partnership with the WA State Government.

The program supported regional organisations, local government, communities and industry to partner to develop Regional Drought Resilience Plans.

The Commission partnered with NACC NRM, DPIRD and three local governments (Greater Geraldton, Chapman Valley and Northampton) to develop its plan, to identify and guide actions to build the pilot areas’ resilience to future droughts, with a focus on agriculture and allied industries.

A detailed Drought Vulnerability Assessment (DVA) was undertaken to explore aspects of exposure, sensitivity, impact and adaptive capacity and how these affect vulnerability and resilience to drought in the region.

Developing the DVA involved regional organisations, local government, academic professionals, community, industry and other key drought stakeholders coming together to share and consolidate experience, scientific data, local knowledge and expertise.

With the added contribution of technical and project advisory groups, the DVA formed the foundation for the Plan.

The Commission has completed the Regional Drought Resilience Pilot Plan for the Northern Wheatbelt of the Mid West region. The Plan was reviewed by CSIRO on behalf of Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for consideration and implementation funding.

Mid West (North Midlands) plan

The North Midlands RDRP Plan will include the Shires of; Carnamah, Coorow, Irwin, Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, Three Springs. For more information visit

Workforce:

Regional Migrant Employment Program

The Commission provided funding support for the Regional Migrant Employment Program (RMEP) pilot established in Morawa in 2022 by not-for-profit organisation United in Diversity (UID).

The RMEP pilot was designed to establish a training, recruitment and retention service employing migrants and refugees in entry- and mid-level positions in the town of Morawa for a period of six months.

The primary goal was to help migrants gain employment, and also to create community connections with the aim of retaining the migrants in Morawa.

Following the successful pilot, which saw four migrant workers employed, further funding support was provided to extend and consolidate the program, and enhance cultural development by:

Building further capacity of the Morawa community to provide support to migrants.
Continuing engagement between potential employees, employers, stakeholders and the community.
Exploring the opportunity to lease a café in Morawa for operation by Kitchen of Diversity, a social enterprise of UID.
Consolidation of cultural development through a one-on-one mentoring program established to assist and support migrant workers to settle into Morawa.

The funding support ensures UID can continue to provide community, employer and migrant support for the duration of the program. The Commission participates in the Tandem Diversity and Inclusion Working Group which provides support for community mentors and assistance for migrant workers settling in Morawa.

Regional Coordinating Committee

The Geraldton Mid West Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) was formed following Regional Skills Summits held in 2021.

The RCC comprises representatives from the Commission, Central Regional TAFE, Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, City of Greater Geraldton, Department of Training and Workforce Development and other community stakeholders.

The RCC is guided by an action plan and provides quarterly progress reports to the Minister for Education and Training.

Priority action areas are implemented through current and new initiatives in partnership with key stakeholders. The priority areas and implementation initiatives include:

PRIORITY ACTION 1 Maximising the benefits of fee-free courses and job expos to support underrepresented groups (such as Aboriginal people, young people and women) in a range of existing industry areas.
PRIORITY ACTION 2 Identifying new/emerging skills needs and leveraging any potential opportunities of emerging industries.
PRIORITY ACTION 3 Supporting skilled migrants, particularly onshore migrants that are already living in the region, to access training and employment opportunities.

The Commission is collaborating with Regional Development Australia to develop a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for the Mid West and Gascoyne regions (to address Priority Action 3 above), and produce a DAMA business case for submission to the Australian Government.

Designated Area Migration Agreement

Creative Industries:

Creative Industries

The Mid West’s creative industries are important to both the liveability and economy of our region.

The Commission regularly liaises with organisations and artists in relation to their planned programs and, where possible, provides support and advocacy.

This may be through letters of support for their funding applications, introductions, or through the REDS Grants which are available annually.

The Commission has provided advice to Frolic Opera and Yamaji Art in their development of Yamaji Calisto, an Italian-Yamaji opera with accompanying dance elements in the Mid West.

This project received $79,440 in State Government funding for creative development workshops.

Through a partnership between social enterprises Euphorium Creative, Pollinators Inc and developer ADA Capital, with investment from the State Government through a Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant, a plan to transform the old Blue Heelers tavern site in Geraldton’s West End was instigated as a new hub for creative industries.

The Commission is supporting the Pilbara Development Commission’s Leverage Fund submission for the Aboriginal Visual Art Industry Investment Package, which aligns with our commitment to Aboriginal economic development.

Lotterywest has since approved funding to the amount of $327,000.

This project aims to transform the Western Australian Aboriginal visual arts sector through an international market development plan, commercial analysis, an infrastructure and resourcing assessment and a business case to support the first WA Aboriginal Visual Arts Industry Investment Package.

The Mid West remains committed to being a film-friendly region and we continue to attract interesting projects from screen industry producers.

The Commission works closely with Screenwest to generate positive social and economic outcomes for the region with productions accessing the WA Screen Fund (formerly WA Regional Film Fund).

Resulting activity this year included hosting a showing of ‘Aussie Gold Hunters’ from season 8, which included filming in the Murchison.

The Commission also provided advice and contacts for Feisty Dame Productions to support their application to Screenwest for the filming of ‘Invisible Boys’ by author Holden Sheppard - in Geraldton where his story is set.

The Commission will continue to provide support and advice for producers, artists and organisations to maximise economic impacts, employment and community benefits from the creative industries in the Mid West.

Economic Development, Diversification, and Innovation

Diversification leverages existing strengths in resources, primary industries, and tourism, and seeks to develop and support new industries and careers.

Strategic industrial and mining hubs:

Arrowsmith Development Hub

The Arrowsmith Development Hub (ADH) was launched in March 2023 to facilitate an effective dialogue platform between all tiers of government and industry proponents (16 in total) that are developing, or are planning to develop, projects in the Arrowsmith area.

This work built on an engagement process started by the Shire of Irwin, culminating in an Industry Leaders Forum at Dumas House, Perth in February 2023.

The ADH comprises projects focused on renewables, hydrogen, rare earths, oil and gas, and mineral sands, and will have a material impact upon the bulk of the North Midlands subregion (Shires of Carnamah, Coorow, Irwin, Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, Three Springs) and of the City of Greater Geraldton.

Planned project value (combined) exceeds $10 billion, with a construction workforce in excess of 3,000 people and operational workforce of over 700.

Through the ADH, the Commission has enabled a regular and collaborative platform looking to discuss project opportunities and constraints.

This dialogue helps the parties to identify, encourage, promote and facilitate investment opportunities, focusing on improved service delivery and reduced bureaucratic barriers that impact the implementation of development investment in the region.

At its core, it is about helping industry to engage collectively with government and each other to articulate and plan shared infrastructure needs, whilst also considering the socioeconomic impacts of major projects and seeking to manage them effectively.

To date the Commission has facilitated five workshops to discuss key infrastructure requirements (e.g., power, water, ports, roads and rail), approvals and workforce.

The information generated through these workshops are compiled and shared with all members of the ADH, relevant State Government agencies and are followed up as required.

Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area

The State Government’s vision is for WA to be a significant producer, exporter and user of renewable hydrogen.

The Commission is supporting this vision in alignment with the WA Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.

The Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) is located approximately 23km north of Geraldton, within the boundaries of the Shire of Chapman Valley and it is zoned for Strategic Industry with a Special Control Area (buffer), which prevents the development of sensitive uses.

In October 2022, then Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Hydrogen Industry, Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLC announced a commitment of $5.5 million into feasibility and planning works for the SIA.

Since then, the Commission has worked closely with relevant agencies and industry on its activation, as a member of the Industry Reference Group and Project Control Group.

The Oakajee SIA is planned as a new heavy industrial area and multi-user deep water port for storage for strategic and downstream processing industries to service the Mid West region.

Beyond the project focus, the Commission is an important conduit to the local community and local business stakeholders and an interface with local government.

In consultation with our community, the Commission has identified a need for education and community engagement programs to broaden the general public’s understanding of Oakajee SIA, hydrogen production and the associated infrastructure for renewable energy projects that are being planned across our region.

The Commission hosted an Oakajee SIA Forum in Geraldton in 2023 and gained early commitment from Oakajee SIA proponents and the State Government agencies involved to provide presentations at this event.

With a funding contribution from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI), and in collaboration with the Shires of Chapman Valley and Northampton, the Commission also delivered two smaller community engagement and education events – the Oakajee SIA Community Chats, presented in Yuna and Northampton.

Murchison major projects

The Murchison subregion is home to a range of existing and emerging gold and iron ore mines, as well as key critical and battery minerals deposits including tungsten and vanadium.

Major mining operators in the Murchison include 29 Metals, Australian Vanadium Limited, Fenix Resources, Ramelius Resources, Sandfire Resources, Silver Lake Resources and Westgold Resources.

The Commission has been engaging with a range of proponents, local government representatives and agencies, including the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy regarding major projects that are already operating, or being planned, in the Murchison subregion.

Through this, the Commission aims to become aware of any opportunities that may arise for local industry and the community and also seek to better understand any challenges and risks that they may be facing, so that we can support and advocate where possible.

Tourism:

Tourism development planning

Tourism WA (TWA) is soon to release Tourism Destination Development Plans for Australia’s Coral Coast (ACC) and Australia’s Golden Outback (AGO) tourism regions, as well as a Mid West Tourism Strategy for our region.

This new Strategy will revise the tourism priorities for the Mid West, following the success of the 2014 Mid West Tourism Development Strategy that helped the Commission and partner agencies secure investment and deliver more than $30 million on projects such as the Kalbarri Skywalk and Abrolhos Islands.

The Commission supported Tourism WA throughout the procurement, regional engagement and report feedback processes.

Tourism Geraldton Midwest

The Commission has led the concept of cluster-based economic development for a number of years.

Industry clusters are a simple, yet powerful concept; they encourage greater connectivity and collaboration in regions and population centres across a sector.

The concept drives innovation and accelerated growth, by collectively identifying and tackling common challenges that members could not otherwise pursue on their own.

Formed in 2021 with the guidance of the Commission, Tourism Geraldton Mid West (TGMW) is the region’s tourism cluster, a member based co-operative organisation whose core purpose is promoting tourism in the region, influencing the development of new and renewed attractions and assisting members to thrive.

TGMW also manage the annual Shore Leave Festival, one of the region’s largest events.

In 2023, the Shore Leave Festival delivered 33 events over four days with 24,539 attendees across all events.

This resulted in $720,000 of direct event economic impact to Mid West. Out-of-region visitors provided $1.5 million impact, with overall economic impact to the Mid West of $2.5 million.

Importantly, the majority of contracted suppliers were from the region.

TGMW delivers value by providing a forum to educate members and identify common issues, advocacy on behalf of members and helping shape future tourism in the region by contributing and supporting the development of attractions and infrastructure.

The Commission has provided ongoing support for TGMW through 2022 and 2023, entering a Memorandum of Understanding that enables TGMW to:

Engage a specialist consultant and employ a part time Local Area Coordinator to review the current operations of the TGMW Cooperative;
Discover new tourism opportunities for the Mid West through the development of the TGMW 3–5 year Strategic Plan; and
Establish a Tourism Asset Database for the Mid West.

Building regional leadership and capacity is essential to TGMW’s growth and positioning as the voice of Mid West tourism operators, and the Commission looks forward to continuing to work with TGMW on this journey.

Kalbarri tourism industry recovery

Recovery of the Kalbarri tourism economy remains a high priority for the Commission, following the extensive damage from Severe Tropical Cyclone (STC) Seroja in 2021.

The Commission has worked closely with Tourism WA and the Shire of Northampton to finalise concept plans and a business case to seek funding for investment in key public tourism infrastructure along Kalbarri’s damaged foreshore and beaches.

These coastal sites are the ‘shopfront’ for the local visitor economy and underpin liveability and the desired way of life for Kalbarri residents.

Economic modelling has shown that the planned investment represented real value for money, with an estimated Net Present Value of $368 million over 25 years and a Benefit Cost Ratio of 16.13 (for each $1 spent - $16.13 of benefits are accrued in the Kalbarri economy).

The rebuild would create a range of new commercial tourism opportunities and help provide private sector investor confidence.

Efforts to seek funding for the project are ongoing.

Tourism experience development manager

The Commission’s partnership with Tourism WA to prioritise the Kalbarri tourism recovery has proven extremely successful and demonstrated the importance of TWA having human resources in-region to support tourism priorities.

The Mid West ‘pilot’ has since expanded to other WA regions, with a network of Tourism Experience Development Managers (TEDMs) now based with their respective Regional Development Commissions.

The initial focus of the TEDMs is on accommodation and experiences in and near National Parks, leveraging earlier State commitments and investment in those assets.

The TEDMs will also have opportunity to support other regional tourism priorities.

The relationship with TWA is a priority for the Commission, with mutual interest and ongoing support for projects including the Kalbarri tourism recovery, Abrolhos Islands activation, Pink Lake and Lucky Bay (Yamatji Nation ILUA priorities), the Murchison Vast Sky Experience and Moresby Ranges Conservation Park.

WA Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC)

The importance of in-region human resources has also been recognised by WAITOC, which also engaged tourism development coordinators to support Aboriginal tourism businesses in selected WA regions.

In addition to the TWA TEDM, the Commission also now hosts two WAITOC staff at its Geraldton offices to support Aboriginal tourism in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions.

The Commission will continue to support the new WAITOC staff as required, and help them align with existing Aboriginal tourism priorities and key proponents.

The hosting and collaboration with TWA and WAITOC highlight the importance of tourism to the Commission for economic diversity and enhanced liveability.

Sustainable tourism at the Abrolhos Islands

In 2019, the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park was established to provide a world-class sustainable tourism experience and create new jobs and economic opportunities in the Mid West region, while protecting the unique natural, cultural heritage, fishing and community values of the Abrolhos.

The Commission is responsible for facilitating regional opportunities to drive economic growth and job creation.

Our role is to support and assist in a seamless approach to sustainable tourism development and visitor management across all tenures and agencies.

In 2022, three management plans were released, following engagement with the community and stakeholders, to safeguard the natural habitat, cultural heritage, fishing, recreation, as well as support sustainable tourism.

The Commission continues to working closely with DPIRD, TWA, DBCA, WA Museum and the Abrolhos Islands bodies corporate to support the implementation of these management plans.

Murchison GeoRegion

The Murchison GeoRegion is a collaborative tourism promotion of the seven Murchison local governments (Cue, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, Murchison, Sandstone, Wiluna and Yalgoo) and key agencies, individuals and Aboriginal Corporations.

The GeoRegion is focused on drawing visitors to the area to appreciate its unique landscape attractions, biodiversity and cultures, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.

Through the ‘Murchison GeoRegion – Ancient lands, Brilliant skies’ campaign and strategic plan, the GeoRegion Project Working Group is focused on tourism product development, communications and marketing and stakeholder engagement.

As a longer-term objective, the GeoRegion maintains an interest in one day aligning with the UNESCO Global Geopark network, which now includes 195 geoparks across 48 countries.

In 2022-23, the GeoRegion developed a new marketing and communications plan, undertook annual marketing in partnership with Australia’s Golden Outback, and continues important local stakeholder engagement and inclusion in local events.

The Commission also funded and coordinated a site management plan that will provide guidance and standards for consistency across the 21 GeoRegion sites.

While targeting a degree of uniformity, the plan will also ensure adequate flexibility to account for variations across the vast region and its diverse interest groups.

The collaborative GeoRegion model is being mirrored by the Commission to support other initiatives than span multiple local governments in the Murchison, and other Mid West subregions.

Murchison dark sky tourism

The Total Solar Eclipse in Exmouth in April 2023 highlighted the global interest in dark sky tourism, with around 20,000 visitors estimated.

With the pristine night skies in the Murchison, dark sky tourism has emerged as an opportunity to attract new interest and extend visitation.

The alignment with the GeoRegion’s focus on ‘ancient lands and brilliant skies’ is evident, and dark sky experiences are a growing product development opportunity.

In 2022, the Commission allocated funding to Astrotourism WA to validate astrotourism in the Murchison and provide guidance on next steps.

An itinerary of dark sky hot spots in the Murchison were identified – two in each of the seven local governments.

Each site was validated with Sky Quality Meter (SQM) readings above 20, giving them global credibility and standing for astrophotography and astrotourism generally.

In the first instance this itinerary was used as a promotional tool for the many visitors to Exmouth in April 2023.

A similar eclipse will traverse the Murchison in 2037, which may incentivise new tourism product development to target the many visitors that are sure to ‘chase it'.

Simple dark sky tourism actions plans were developed for each Shire, and the Commission and Astrotourism WA continue to support their implementation as required.

Murchison vast sky project

Leveraging the growing interest in dark sky tourism, the Commission also funded concept plans and a business case for a Murchison Vast Sky Experience at the Murchison Settlement to capitalise on the presence of the SKA.

Agriculture, aquaculture and food:

Aquaculture

The Commission supported the establishment of the Abrolhos Island Aquaculture Group during the year.

This was formally established under the Aquaculture Council of WA (ACWA) at a meeting of operators in 2023.

Key issues were focused on WA Shellfish Quality Accreditation Program (WASQAP) accreditation for shellfish producers, raising the importance of the Abrolhos Island aquaculture industry and diversified opportunities, discussion regarding forming a cooperative, including marketing, shared facilities, and resources.

Significant progress has towards conditional approvals for shellfish and pearl oyster producers for WASQAP accreditation has been made with support from the WA Department of Health and the DPIRD aquaculture team.

Mid West Food Industries Alliance

The Mid West Food Industries Alliance (MWFIA) was established in 2021 as a cohort of people working to grow and develop new and existing food industry businesses in the Mid West.

The Commission continues to work extensively with MWFIA.

This partnership drives our vision for the Mid West to be recognised as a premium, sustainable food bowl in Western Australia.

MWFIA’s Executive Officer is hosted in the Commission’s offices, enabling effective communication and efficiencies aligned to key focus areas that include:

Growing the brand of Mid West food and beverage locally, nationally and globally;
Connecting producers, processors and supply chains, and other key stakeholders to develop sustainable businesses;
Creating an economic benefit for the Mid West region through brand recognition, targeting increased tourism, business opportunities and employment;
Becoming a professional and recognised champion for members to create sustainable businesses with the opportunity to leverage the Mid West food and beverage brand ‘Tastes of the Mid West’ to market and promote their product; and
Creating financial stability for the MWFIA.

The Commission sponsored their second Mid West WA Food Marketplace event at Shore Leave Festival in April 2023, which was officially opened by the Hon. Jackie Jarvis, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business.

The Marketplace, and the broader Shore Leave Festival showcases the best of Geraldton and the region to both locals and visitors and also highlights what the region contributes to the WA economy.

From cooking demonstrations and samples using local produce, an array of stall holders, industry chats and an education hub, there was something for everyone.

The Commission’s overriding aim is to create economic benefit and improve quality of life in the Mid West region.

Events like this achieve this through recognition of the Mid West Food Industries Alliance and its members, and highlights the high quality, healthy and sustainable food and beverages that are produced here.

Southern Rangelands Pastoral Alliance

The Southern Rangelands Pastoral Alliance (SRPA) was established with support from the Commission and DPIRD in 2020 as the key industry body for pastoralists in the Southern Rangelands area.

SRPA is a not-for-profit incorporated community association with 35 members at 30 June 2023.

SRPA provides leadership and support for sustainable pastoral production and diversification in the Southern Rangelands.

The Commission regularly consults with SRPA on matters that impact pastoralists in the Murchison subregion of the Mid West.

The Commission also supports their Executive Officer, who is collocated in the Commission offices in Geraldton.

This year, key issues have included carbon accounting methodologies, remote sensing and management, legislative change, drought resilience and strategies for landscape rehydration.

Energy:

Energy industry activity and decarbonisation

The Commission’s active facilitation of industry proponents and long-standing strategic work in the energy space continues.

Through the Oakajee SIA and ADH, in particular, we are seeking to drive both the development of renewable energy, as well as supporting the decarbonisation of the existing energy sector and elevating the Mid West’s role in energy security.

In addition to world class renewable energy potential, the Mid West is home to rich natural gas and, to a lesser extent, oil resources, particularly in the Perth Basin.

The region is also traversed by the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline, Northern Goldfields Interconnect, Parmelia Gas Pipeline and Mondarra Gas Storage Facility.

Whilst their current role is important to securing WA’s energy supply, these facilities also have a key role to play in WA’s decarbonisation, and numerous projects are underway investigating the potential of carbon capture and storage in the Perth Basin region, as a means of both reducing emissions related to Mid West activities, but also potentially those from hard to abate industries like those at Kwinana and elsewhere.

The Commission is engaging with the sector, and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI), to better understand the potential for carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) in the Mid West.

Renewable energy

The Mid West is recognised for its world-class renewable energy resources.

The Commission is actively engaging with a range of renewable energy proponents that are planning projects within our region.

Our aim is to ensure the region can benefit from being well-placed to meet national and international demand for renewable hydrogen in the future.

Renewable hydrogen is produced when wind or solar electricity is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gas.

Hydrogen can then also be converted into ammonia for export and domestic use, or conversion into urea (fertiliser) or ammonium nitrate (explosives).

In 2021, the State Government announced the Mid West Clean Hydrogen Hub.

This proposal includes construction of renewable energy and road infrastructure at the Oakajee SIA, as well as connecting the area to power and water, and developing hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

To help prepare the community for the Oakajee SIA and other renewable energy projects, the Commission hosted the Mid West Hydrogen Forum in 2023.

This free event attracted more than 150 attendees, which included pastoralist and broadacre farmers, Traditional Owners, local government representatives, landholders, industry and community members from across the region.

The Hon. Roger Cook MLA, then Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade; Hydrogen Industry; Tourism; Science, provided an opening address and informative presentations were delivered by a range of government agencies and private sector experts on renewable hydrogen development and its interaction with landholders.

The Commission surveyed attendees and guest speakers following this event, with a range of resources, including FAQs, published online.

The Commission subsequently initiated plans for events that will continue to engage and inform our community and industry about renewable energy projects in the Mid West.

Additionally, to support solar and wind energy projects, the Commission has facilitated the establishment of the ADH, with the main purpose of facilitating an effective dialogue platform between all tiers of Government and industry proponents (16 in total) in the Arrowsmith area.

The ADH is proposed to host over five large scale renewable energy projects which will have a material impact in the Shire of Irwin and upon the bulk of the North Midlands (Shires of Carnamah, Coorow, Irwin, Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, Three Springs) and of the City of Greater Geraldton.

Space economy:

Square Kilometre Array

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project is a global effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with eventually over one square kilometre (one million square metres) of collecting area spanning the Murchison subregion and South Africa’s Karoo region.

The SKA represents a huge leap forward in both engineering and research and development to allow researchers to better understand the origins of the universe.

Construction began late in 2022 and is expected to last an estimated 7-8 years.

The SKA, Mingenew Space Precinct (MSP) and defence assets represent a significant point of difference for the Mid West, offering potential to leverage the sophisticated science, innovation and technical activity occurring in the region for socioeconomic benefit.

Planned construction over the next 6-8 years is expected to result in almost $400 million of local spending and more than 250 FTE jobs.

The Commission has produced a series of plans and business cases for:

An immersive SKA interpretive centre (Murchison Vast Sky Experience) at the Murchison Settlement;
Sealing of the Carnarvon-Mullewa Road between Mullewa and the Murchison Settlement;
A masterplan for the MSP; and
A socioeconomic analysis of opportunities to leverage the expertise and planned space, radio astronomy and defence activities in the region.

These business cases are now undergoing further analysis to estimate the aggregated benefits of the recommended activities, and provide a clearer picture of the benefits and opportunities that are presented by the Mid West space sector.

The works will also be utilised by the Commission and project partners to seek funding for delivery of the opportunities with greatest potential.

Climate Resilience and Low Carbon Transition

A changing climate alongside the global transition to a low carbon economy provide risks and significant opportunity for diversification and job growth in our region.

Water:

Water opportunities

Water, and water infrastructure, are critical enablers of new and emerging industries and associated community growth.

Declining rainfall and aquifer recharge rates are constraining water availability for communities and industry, with regional water allocations being reduced by regulators.

Increasing demand from concurrent industry and population growth further highlights these pressures, and a growing pipeline of major projects indicates significant additional water demand that cannot be met through traditional means.

Desalination has emerged as a possible solution to meet or offset industry demands, to provide a climate independent, reliable and high-quality source of water for existing and new users.

Other innovations and proactive local interventions will be needed in various locations, with extensive drought preparedness planning now complete for the northern agricultural region.

Secondary Oakajee water opportunities

Preliminary planning for the Oakajee SIA indicates potential demand for vast water volumes, which can only be delivered through desalination.

While this planning continues, the Commission is eager to understand whether this additional source might provide new secondary social or economic opportunities for communities and new developments in the vicinity.

A scope of works was developed in 2022-23 that would involve high level viability assessments of economic opportunities and options, and guidance on potential next steps.

Although irrigated agriculture is a likely focus area, the study would be open to all potentialities.

Murchison Paleovalleys

In 2015, CSIRO identified an extensive water system in the ancient underground Murchison paleovalleys, using Airborne Electro Magnetic (AEM) surveys.

The analysis identified some of the largest and deepest paleovalleys in WA; some being several kilometres wide and over 150m deep (from top to bottom).

In this arid Murchison area, scarcity of water is a key impediment to industry development with winter rains rarely yielding more than 200mm.

This paleovalley water may, in theory, improve the prospectivity or viability of some potential developments.

Volumes and salinity levels were variable throughout the 150,000km² study area, with extensive drilling and detailed testing required to ‘prove up’ the resource for economic or community use.

The cost of such steps are, currently, prohibitive.

The Commission engaged GHD to complete a desktop refinement of the CSIRO findings, using other available datasets (e.g., soils, infrastructure, cultural heritage) to help identify the most prospective locations for possible further investigations.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation are assisting the investigations.

Regional Drought Resilience Planning:

Mid West pilot region

Western Australia has a history of drought and drying climate, and it is vital that effective, community identified solutions are developed to mitigate its effects.

Drought is a feature of current and future climate change impacts.

The Future Drought Fund (FDF) set up by the Australian Government invests $100 million annually into projects across Australia to strengthen regional drought resilience.

The program supported regional organisations, local government, communities and industry to partner to develop Regional Drought Resilience Plans.

With the added contribution of technical and project advisory groups, the DVA formed the foundation for the Plan.

Mid West (North Midlands) plan

The North Midlands RDRP Plan will include the Shires of; Carnamah, Coorow, Irwin, Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, Three Springs. For more information visit Regional Drought Resilience Planning.

Aboriginal Empowerment and Prosperity

Partnerships and engagement with Aboriginal people, strong accountability and culturally responsive working will enable our region to realise a ‘future in which all Aboriginal people, families and communities are empowered to live good lives and choose their own futures from a secure foundation.’

The Commission understands the vital importance of Aboriginal people, their traditions and culture to the regional economy. The Commission has actively incorporated Aboriginal economic development outcomes in projects and activity areas, including tourism, infrastructure, mining, agribusiness, industry development, local content and liveable and connected communities.

Aboriginal Economic Development:

Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement

The Commission continues to work closely with Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC) and key stakeholders to progress its obligations within the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA), with $8.92 million allocated towards the development of the Hutt Lagoon tourism precinct (Pink Lake and Lucky Bay).

Since opening its doors in mid-2021, YSRC has made solid progress on the tourism initiatives through the established Tourism Working Group (TWG).

The completion of a Yamatji Tourism Strategy and Hutt Lagoon commercial analysis in 2022 were important foundational steps.

Turnover of significant key staff and Board members in 2022 presented some challenges, but the Commission has established strong relationships with the new personnel.

Development of a land management plan for Lucky Bay remained the focus in 2022-23.

Draft plans are expected early in 2023-24 for consideration by the Hutt Lagoon Cultural Committee, before being lodged with the Minister for Planning in September 2023.

Various specialists were engaged to address a range of complex issues at Lucky Bay, such as flora and fauna conservation, cultural heritage protection, coastal process mapping, visitor management, traffic management, bush fire management and pest control.

A renewed TWG will shift its focus to Pink Lake in 2023-24.

This will be guided by the completed commercial analysis, which reaffirmed Pink Lake’s importance as the primary tourism drawcard in the district.

The Commission is finalising the Project Agreement for Pink Lake, which will enable funds to be disbursed for this planning work.

As a member of the Yamatji Nation ILUA Government Partnership Committee, the Commission will continue to support YSRC as required in relation to its ILUA obligations as well as collaborating on a range of other socioeconomic development initiatives.

World Indigenous Tourism Summit

In March 2023, WA was extremely fortunate to have hosted the World Indigenous Tourism Summit in Perth.

More than 650 people attended from across Australia, with more than 100 delegates from overseas.

The Summit theme was ‘Tourism and Indigenous Earth Wisdom Weaving the Future that Benefits All’.

The Commission supported a local Aboriginal artist through Yamaji Art to attend the Summit as a key professional development and networking opportunity.

This maintained the Commission’s intent to support development of more culturally authentic Aboriginal tourism products throughout the Mid West.

This assistance was provided through WAITOC, as the peak body for Aboriginal tourism operators in the State.

The delegate reported being able to professionally network with inspirational Indigenous tourism professionals from around the globe, gaining valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities and approaches to developing authentic cultural tourism experiences and products.

Aboriginal Business Support

A key role of the Local Content Adviser (LCA) Network is to promote opportunity for Aboriginal businesses in regional WA.

The Commission’s LCAs provide economic growth opportunities through different pathways.

Ongoing connection with Aboriginal businesses provides LCAs an understanding of capabilities and capacity which allows us to provide avenues for long term success.

LCAs also provide connection to business advisory services to ensure business structures, systems and procedures are in place.

Preparing the business allows the pathway for connection to different government departments, local governments and private enterprise opportunities.

We are also able to provide ongoing knowledge and support to ensure Aboriginal businesses are aware of tender opportunities, different prequalifications and registrations required for direct engagement, awareness of contractor panel opportunities and ongoing support during the process of tender application.

Examples include:

An Aboriginal commercial cleaning company who has now gained assistance and knowledge around company structure which has enabled potential for direct engagement with Central Regional TAFE for a cleaning contract;
An Aboriginal gardening and maintenance contractor who was provided a direct engagement opportunity within the local school network and some commercial and government building gardens for ongoing landscaping care;
An Aboriginal fencing contractor being invited onto the SA12 contractor panel for Department of Finance; and
Ongoing engagement with Wadjarri businesses for employment opportunities related to the SKA project.

Organisational Excellence

The success of the Commission will be determined by the way it works to deliver strategic initiatives and build organisational excellence in collaborative and cooperative delivery of regional development.

The Commission provides a central point of coordination and contact for various economic development and community stakeholders within and outside the Mid West and works in partnership with all tiers of government, business and the community, providing information and advice to maximise economic development and employment opportunities for the region.

The Commission works with stakeholders to raise awareness of the Mid West region, its natural advantages and opportunities and the challenges limiting further development. The Commission shares its networks and knowledge of hard and soft regional infrastructure to help activate projects and support a number of current and legacy State Government funding schemes.

Regional leadership and collaboration:

State Government

The Commission participates with a range of multi-agency groups that align with our legislative role.

These include the Regional Coordination Committee, which sees us collaborating with the Department of Training and Workforce Development, along with local education and training stakeholders.

The Commission also holds the Co-Chair role on the Mid West-Gascoyne District Leadership Group, which is made up of key human services agencies and is focused on addressing social and community issues across the two regions.

Local Government

The Commission has long been involved with the Murchison Executive Group (MEG), made up of the CEOs of the Murchison subregion local governments.

Through this engagement we have been able to better understand regional issues and inform research related to the Murchison.

In light of the MEG’s success, in 2023 the Commission was instrumental in the establishment of a similar body for the North Midlands subregion (the North Midlands Executive Group).

We will continue to work with both bodies to ensure strong relationships with the local government sector in our region, and the communities they serve.

Industry

Recognising a need for greater coordination across projects in the Arrowsmith area, the Commission established the Arrowsmith Development Hub (ADH) in 2023.

Building on work undertaken by the Shire of Irwin, the ADH brings together local government and industry representatives from the Arrowsmith region (primarily the Shires of Irwin, Mingenew, Three Springs and Carnamah).

The ADH is supporting awareness-raising (within Government) of the $10 billion worth of projects in this area, as well as working to deliver common-user infrastructure, foster greater industry collaboration and ultimately address the socioeconomic considerations that the growth in this area will have for its communities.

Further north, the Commission is a member of the Oakajee SIA Industry Reference Group and Project Control Group.

Both bodies, the former including industry, the latter made up of the State delivery agencies, are key to ensuring the timely delivery of this key renewable hydrogen hub.

Cross-regional collaboration

February 2023 saw the first ever coming together of regional development practitioners from all nine Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) to participate in a collaboration workshop.

Held at Mandurah in the Peel region, Commission senior management and development officers attended and participated in the workshop and contributed to a collaboration culture together with all other RDCs.

The vision developed is that WA has sustainable, vibrant and liveable regional communities, supported by strong and prosperous economies.

To deliver on this vision the need for constructive and collaborative ways of working between RDCs is greater than ever before.

A Charter established the following way of working:

Stakeholders will recognise that WA is served by an effective and innovative regional development network.
RDC staff will feel empowered, engaged and connected, and celebrate shared achievements.
Regional decision-making will be empowered by shared systems, knowledge and experience.
Regional development in WA will attract and retain a talented and skilled workforce.

A framework has been developed to capture the various tools and initiatives that will help us live our collective commitments and future ways of working.

Future events are planned to support the ongoing collaboration between the nine Commissions and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Scholarships and sponsorships:

Community Builders Initiative

The Community Builders Initiative is a grassroots leadership program that seeks to support teams of residents from rural communities across a natural cluster to better understand and build their local and regional community and economy.

The program provides the necessary information, skills, tools, motivation, confidence and passion to confidently manage change and small town reinvention.

It also encourages new thinking about ways to support and nurture community and economic development at a local level and stimulates collaboration between communities and creates peer support networks across the region.

The Commission supported Bank of IDEAS to explore opportunities for a North Midlands Community Builders Initiative and design and deliver a full six-month program.

Two one-day ‘taster’ workshops themed as “Creating Positive Futures for Small Rural Towns” were delivered in Mullewa and Perenjori during 2022-23, focused on community reinvention to share new thinking in community and economic development.

The Commission’s investment resulted in over $250,000 being committed by a number of support organisations, including Rural Aid to deliver the program into 2023-24.

Economic events

The Commission has partnered with Gascoyne Development Commission and Informa Connect Australia to deliver the Mid West & Gascoyne Major Projects events.

The events explore economic growth, investment, development, productivity and innovation and provided the perfect opportunity for the regions’ senior industry, investors, businesses, community, and government representatives to join and connect for this unique networking and shared learning opportunity.

The Commission also supports the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry to deliver the Mid West Economic Summit.

The region is becoming a big part of Western Australia’s - and Australia’s - energy transition and decarbonisation mission, and the region is poised to be a true leader in both environmental and socioeconomic sustainability.

The Summit features speakers from a diverse cross-section of industries, addressing the current economic outlook and the enablers to drive the Mid West into the future.

Governance training

The Commission is committed to promoting business development and improving career opportunities in the region, so funded the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry to deliver governance training locally, at a heavily subsidised rate.

The half-day workshop provided a fantastic foundation for those on an executive board, or are aspiring to be, with a strong understanding of the principles of governance.

Geraldton Universities Centre scholarship

The Commission has been a longstanding advocate of Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) and donor to its Hollomby Foundation Scholarships.

Named in honour of the late Joe Hollomby, the Hollomby Foundation supports the GUC and Mid West students to access tertiary education without having to leave their community.

By providing opportunity for all local people and recruiting students to courses that address local workforce needs, GUC has pioneered an innovative model over the past 20 years, building the capacity of our region, particularly in the education, health and business sectors.

Regional board visits

In addition to the bi-monthly Board Meetings, our Board undertake a series of regional visits across the Mid West. These visits provide an opportunity for the Board to meet with local governments, business, community members and industry proponents across the region on their ‘home turf’.

Grants and funding:

Regional Economic Development Grants

The Regional Economic Development Grants (RED Grants) program is a State Government initiative administered by the Commission that invests in local projects to stimulate economic growth and development in regional Western Australia.

In the Mid West, the RED Grants program has invested in over 30 projects with a total funding amount of over $4 million.

Those projects have contributed to the Mid West region’s economic and social development and unlocked the potential of several businesses.

For more information visit the Regional Economic Development Grants page.