GEDC Board meets in Wiluna
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The GEDC Board recently travelled to Wiluna for its October meeting.
The trip was the first time the Board have travelled to Wiluna since its inclusion into the Goldfields-Esperance region in 2021.
The Board met with representatives from the Shire of Wiluna including CEO Gary Gaffney, who provided an informative presentation to the Board, and members of the Goldfields District Leadership Group (DLG), pictured.
The combined visit provided a great opportunity for the DLG and the GEDC to discuss current and planned projects with the Shire, and to visit local stakeholders including the Ngangganawili Aboriginal Health Service (NAHS), Wiluna Remote Community School, Police Station and Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre, which includes the Tjukurba Art Gallery.
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New DPRID Director General
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Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Fisheries Minister Don Punch have welcomed the appointment of Heather Brayford as the new Director General of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Ms Brayford, pictured with Acting Director General Terry Hill, brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across the public sector in WA and has served as the Deputy Director General of DPIRD's Sustainability and Biosecurity pillar since 2017, after previously working as the Director General of the Department of Fisheries.
The GEDC along with other Regional Development Commissions will continue to work with DPIRD to deliver State Government priorities and regional development initiatives.
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Demos from Esperance album launch
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Regional music shined on Saturday night at the launch of the Demos from Esperance album at the Esperance Bay Yacht Club.
The album was recorded in August last year at the historic Bijou Theatre in the heart of Esperance, with nine local acts having the opportunity to record with WA’s best music producers and studio sound engineers.
The album recording was part of WAM’s Demos from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and Esperance double album, released in April this year and part of the State Government's Contemporary Music Fund initiative, with support from the GEDC and Regional Men’s Health Initiative.
GEDC staff attended the launch event, led by Kyron "Kyza" Smithson of Kyza Presents.
The double album is available to listen to on popular streaming platforms.
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Feedback sought on Renewable Hydrogen Target
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Communities and industry connected to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) electricity grid are encouraged to provide comment on the potential design of a Renewable Hydrogen Target.
The SWIS extends to the Goldfields-Esperance region, providing electricity to Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kambalda and Ravensthorpe.
Under the proposed target, SWIS electricity retailers would be required to procure a certain percentage of electricity fueled by renewable hydrogen, creating a local market which would support emerging hydrogen projects and improve grid stability.
Stakeholder input will be crucial to maximising the benefits to WA and supporting the long-term growth of a local renewable hydrogen industry.
Energy Policy WA is seeking feedback from interested stakeholders on the proposed design of the SWIS Renewable Hydrogen Target. The Renewable Hydrogen Target consultation paper can be found here.
Feedback closes on 10 November 2022.
An overview of the consultation paper will be provided during an online forum to be held at 1pm on Tuesday, 25 October.
To attend, please register on Eventbrite.
More information on WA’s renewable hydrogen potential can be found in the West Australian Renewable Hydrogen Prospectus 2022, launched earlier this year.
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Funding available to identify and protect local heritage sites
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Local governments in the Goldfields-Esperance region are being reminded to apply for a share of $120,000 in State Government funding to assess, review, and develop local frameworks that protect places of cultural heritage significance through their local planning schemes.
The 2022-23 Local Government Heritage Consultancy Grants Program will provide local governments with up to $20,000 each in matched funding, so they can engage specialist heritage consultants to help with reviewing and developing their local heritage framework.
Funding is available to help with assessing, reviewing, and developing heritage lists, heritage areas, local heritage surveys, heritage-related local planning policies, and heritage strategies or similar guideline documents.
Funding applications close at 5pm on Monday 5 December 2022.
More information on the program can be found here.
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Review of Western Australian Jobs Act 2017
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Input is being sought from businesses, industry and government agencies into the outcomes and effectiveness of the WA Jobs Act of 2017 as part of a five-year review of the legislation.
The independent review and public consultation is being conducted throughout September and October by Dr Michael Schaper, previously Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Feedback can be provided via online surveys and registration for a public consultation is also available online.
More information is available here.
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Local Content
Request for Proposal (RFP) for Grant of Rights to operate Regular Public Transport air services on specified WA routes
This RFP seeks proposals from airlines to operate between Perth and certain regional destinations. The successful proponent/s will be granted monopoly rights to operate on one or more routes for the period from 2 October 2023 until 30 June 2028, with the possibility of extension. The destinations are Perth to:
- Albany
- Esperance
- Carnarvon and Monkey Mia
- Laverton, Leonora, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet and Wiluna.
Tenders close on 15 November 2022.
Sonography Services for WA Country Health Service
Sonography services are required for Esperance and Kalgoorlie and other regional locations. Each site requires trained sonographers to undertake a broad range of scans to ensure WACHS customers can access locally available sonography services without the need for extensive travel requirements to other regions or to Perth for scans. Respondents will be required to nominate which sites they are willing to provide services to either on a long term or casual basis. Sites will be able to source sonography services from the Panel Arrangement based on the supplier's location, skills, availability and price. Applications close on 3 November 2022.
Provision of Air Charter Services for the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court in the Goldfields Region
The Department of Justice requires the provision of "as required" fixed wing air charter services for the Kalgoorlie Magistrates in the Goldfields region. The aircraft must be capable of carrying a minimum of eight passengers across the required routes. Regularly visited circuit locations include:
- Laverton
- Warburton
- Warakurna
- Blackstone
The Term of the Agreement is two years. There will be three, one year extension options available at the absolute discretion of the Department. It is anticipated that the Request will be advertised and available for download from Tenders WA on or around the 3 November 2022. Respondents will be given four weeks to submit an Offer via Tenders WA.
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Events, Workshops & Training
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KBCCI What's Down the Track Forum & Exhibition 2022
Tickets are on sale for the 2022 KBCCI What’s Down the Track Forum. The forum provides a 12-month forecast into the drivers that support growth and opportunities in our region’s economy. The forum will be held on Thursday 17 November 2022 at the Central Regional TAFE Conference Centre. For more information, visit the KBCCI website or call 9021 2466.
Tourism Council WA Kalgoorlie-Boulder workshops
Tourism Council WA will be delivering updated tourism workshops in Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Tuesday, October 25, taking into account the latest information, research and trends to assist local tourism businesses:
Tourism Council WA, in partnership with Australia’s Golden Outback, will also be hosting a Tourism Connect networking event in Kalgoorlie-Boulder from 5.30pm – 7.00pm on Tuesday. Each Tourism Council WA member is entitled to two complimentary tickets. Register here.
ECCI Business Structures
The Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) is encouraging existing business operators and those interested in starting a new business to attend its Business Structures workshop with Glenn Waldock from Byfield Business Advisers at 8am on 3 November 2022 at the Noel White Pavilion Meeting Room. Topics will include business structures for business owners; appropriate business structures when started out; changing business structures; and other things to consider when starting a business. To RSVP, please click here.
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Funding Opportunities
Driving Access and Equity Grants Open to Goldfields-Esperance
Disadvantaged learner drivers in the Goldfields-Esperance region can now receive support through the State Government’s Driving Access and Equity Program, with a dedicated $1.2 million grant round targeting the region. Managed by the Department of Transport, the Driving Access and Equity Program invests in organisations and projects to help disadvantaged learner drivers get their driver’s licence. Applications for the Goldfields-Esperance round of the Driving Access and Equity grants close on 7 November 2022.
Youth Week WA Grants Open for Applications
Community organisations and local governments in the Goldfields-Esperance region are encouraged to apply for funds to support activities and events for Youth Week WA, which will run from 14-21 April in 2023. Delivered by the Department of Communities, grants of up to $1,500 are available for individual events, and funds of up to $3,000 are available for collaborative community-wide events. Applications close on 25 November 2022.
Heritage Sponsorship Program
The Heritage Council of Western Australia’s Heritage Sponsorship Program is designed to support heritage promotion and preservation activities through partnerships. Organisers of events or activities can apply for funding in return for assisting with the delivery of one or more of the Heritage Council's key strategic outcomes. Applications are accepted year-round. For more information, visit the relevant WA Government site.
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The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country across the regions in which we work, live and travel. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging; we also extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and celebrate theirs as being the oldest living continuous culture.
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