Enews

In this edition

• New Federal Government commits $60m to crucial upgrade
• Governor tours South East
• Region's prosperity will continue: Minister
• Annaliese leaves the Region
• Outback computer training
• Online business promotion
• Tourism and sport on the agenda in the Northern Goldfields
• Mapping out GEDC direction
• Training board meets in Goldfields
• Chief executive's Christmas wishes
• Farewell from outgoing chairman

The GEDC is delighted to unveil the first edition of the GEDC E-news. Every two months you'll find the E-news delivered straight to your inbox with all of the latest news from the GEDC. Simply click on the link to "read more". Feel free to browse the GEDC website while you're online. We hope you enjoy the new look!

New Federal Government commits $60m to crucial upgrade

The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission is pleased to receive news that the new Federal Government will contribute AU$60 million as its share towards the upgrade of the Esperance Port Access Corridor.

During the election campaign the then Federal Labor Opposition committed AU$60 million towards the priority project if elected to government.

GEDC chairman Colin Stewart said the GEDC would work with relevant government departments, local government and the Esperance Port Authority to ensure the promised upgrade was delivered.

Mr Stewart is the chairman of the GETUP group - the Goldfields-Esperance Transport Upgrade Program - which was established by the GEDC last year.

He said members of GETUP would now work to confirm the commitment and secure the outstanding funds to complete the necessary works.

"The upgrade of the access corridor has been a priority in the Goldfields-Esperance Region for some years now.

"The importance of getting this area upgraded is vital because residential traffic is competing with truck and train movements into the Esperance Port, and it's going to increase substantially in coming years," Mr Stewart said.

"The GETUP group will continue to work towards getting support for the upgrading of the transport infrastructure throughout the region."

During the election campaign Martin Ferguson, the then Opposition Transport spokesman, released a statement saying that if elected the new Labor Government would partner with the private sector and State Government to deliver a AU$180 million upgrade to road and rail networks in Esperance.

This would improve access to the port, given its significant economic importance to the region, State and nation.

The AU$180 million Esperance Port Access Corridor project will fund a road bridge over the railway, connecting Harbour Road to Johns Street; relocation of Harbour Road just east of the Johns Street bridge to the southern side of the transport corridor; realignment of the railway tracks to the north of the new road; a bridge to link Twilight Beach Road to The Esplanade; and a bridge overpass to move traffic from south to north over the railway line.

"The wider Esperance community, port authority, users of the port facilities and the economy generally will all benefit considerably from this initiative," Mr Stewart said.

Governor tours South East

The diverse South East region was shown off to Western Australian Governor Dr Kenneth Michael in November.

The Governor and his wife, Mrs Julie Michael, visited Ravensthorpe and Esperance from November 12-15.

The visit was co-ordinated by Shayne Flanagan and Jody Carlisle from the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission's Esperance office.

The Governor and Mrs Michael toured extensively across the region.

This included a tour of Hopetoun, Ravensthorpe and the BHP Billiton Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation.

While in Hopetoun, the Governor officially opened BHP Billiton's Seaview Residential Village.

The Governor also visited Esperance Community Education Campus; Nulsen Primary School; Cape Le Grand National Park; Esperance Port Authority, Esperance District Hospital; the Department of Agriculture and Food and met with local bush fire brigades.

He was also able to meet with a variety of local leaders from the Ravensthorpe and Esperance areas at a number of civic receptions and welcome functions.

The Governor told the GEDC he was especially impressed with the community spirit evident in Hopetoun, and the breathtaking beauty, great facilities and vibrant spirit in Esperance.

Region's prosperity will continue: Minister

Goldfields-Esperance Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich has signalled 2008 as being another exciting year for the Goldfields-Esperance community, following the high level of economic activity in the region in 2007.

Ms Ravlich said she was pleased to have seen the progress of capital works projects during her recent visit to the Goldfields, including the upgrade to Sir Richard Moore oval and the Landcorp residential development at the Golf Course estate.

"With so many capital works projects underway or scheduled to begin, there has never been a more exciting time for the Goldfields community," Ms Ravlich said.

"This area is such an important regional centre which feeds the resources sector, so it is vital that it receives new infrastructure and facilities to ensure the economy keeps growing.

"This year has been a prosperous one for the Goldfields-Esperance region and I am confident that prosperity will continue throughout 2008."

The Minister said that the State Government had announced several key projects for the region in 2007, including:

• AU$1.5 million for Centrecare Goldfields (Lotterywest)
• AU$500,000 for Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame (Lotterywest);
• AU$130,000 towards the upgrade of the Sir Richard Moore oval;
• AU$15m for the first stage of the Hopetoun Wastewater Facility;
• New Power Headworks Scheme (Ravensthorpe);
• AU$3.67m equipment and VTEC workshop for Kalgoorlie-Boulder;
• AU$5.2m for Hopetoun Primary School;
• Kalgoorlie-Boulder Behaviour Management Centre;
• AU$3.5m to reduce mining application backlog;
• AU$31m for the Kalgoorlie Courthouse; and
• AU$11m for the Esperance Education precinct.

"I wish everyone in the Goldfields-Esperance region a safe and happy Christmas and I look forward to visiting the region in the New Year."

Annaliese leaves the Region

After almost seven years of service with the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, it is with regret that the GEDC farewells Annaliese Walster.

In 2001, Annaliese moved to the Goldfields from Perth to take up the position of Northern Goldfields senior project officer, based in Leonora.

Annaliese managed the GEDC's Northern Goldfields office for three years until 2004.

Annaliese contributed immensely to the social fabric of Leonora through her extensive out-of-work commitment to a number of volunteer committees, with the support of her husband.

In early 2004 Annaliese moved to Kalgoorlie to accept the position of manager of policy and projects.

At short notice in October 2004, Annaliese guided the development of the GEDC as acting chief executive officer for a period of 16 months until February 2006.

Stepping back into her former position, from February 2006 until the end of November 2007, Annaliese managed the Leonora and Kalgoorlie project team and provided guidance and information support to the GEDC in her management role.

Annaliese left her distinctive mark on the GEDC and the projects that she managed and was involved with.

Her name is well-known across the region and she will be remembered especially for her passion, drive and commitment to the Northern Goldfields.

Her energy and good humour will also be greatly missed.

The GEDC wishes Annaliese and her family all the very best for their future endeavours in Perth.

Outback computer training

Almost 6000 people in regional, remote and rural Western Australia have now received computer training, and are better equipped to access services through the internet thanks to the Future Skilling Outback WA project.

The project started in early 2006 and wraps up at the end of this year.

In that time in the Goldfields-Esperance region, some 1530 people have learned not only how to use a computer and how to 'surf the net', but more importantly, how to use computers and the internet to increase their access to services which are not always available in remote towns and communities.

Internet banking, payment of accounts and corresponding by email with service agencies were high on the list of wants for participants.

Downloading music and learning to use multimedia equipment to produce and record music was also popular with young and old alike.

This collaborative project was initiated and coordinated by the WA Department of Local Government and Regional Development, working with the Regional Development Commissions in the Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Midwest regions, along with the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Industry and Resources.

The project was rolled out across a large proportion of the State through a AU$2.9 million grant from the Federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

The funds were used to provide basic computer training and increase local capacity to provide technical computer support to people in remote towns and communities.

Telecentres across the region have also directly benefited with funds to upgrade equipment and training for telecentre coordinators.

GEDC Aboriginal economic development officer Christine Boase said the program was overwhelmingly successful, with more than AU$680,000 directly invested into the Goldfields-Esperance region.

"It is fantastic to see the involvement of so many community members, especially those in Indigenous communities," she said.

"Also, the staff in the region's telecentres from Warakurna and Warburton through to Norseman, Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun received training so that they could continue to provide local people with basic computer training," Mrs Boase said.

"Those areas have all received training and assistance to build local capacity in terms of computer training and technical support."

Each telecentre received funding to purchase additional computers, printers, scanners or other hardware as required.

"One of the great successes of the program was the initiative of Ngaanyatarra Media to work with local communities to set up eight media centres in the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku by making use of old computers and other second-hand equipment," Mrs Boase said.

"This has involved installing and networking 40 computers across 15 communities to increase community access.

"Local people in each community now have the skills to teach others."

Online business promotion

Businesses and other organisations are getting behind the Industry Development Centre, a free online service from the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission.

Local businesses throughout the region are promoting their goods and services through the Industry Development Centre (IDC), while purchasers are browsing detailed profiles of regionally based organisations.

With 1400 region-wide listings on the comprehensive business directory, the IDC is a convenient way to view businesses by location or by industry category.

Business information can include quality certification, time in the region, employees, equipment, speciality areas and the key clients served.

Since May this year when average visits were 1500 a month, the site now enjoys between 2000 and 2500 visitors per month, with each visitor staying on the site for five or more minutes.

GEDC senior project officer Sarah Fletcher said the steady growth in site visits was very encouraging.

"We are delighted that regional organisations are using the IDC service to take advantage of the current economic opportunities," she said.

"The length of time visitors are spending on the site shows a genuine interest in what the IDC offers."

The IDC also features a tenders information page.

Tenders are listed from shires, the Department of Treasury and Finance's Regional Buying Centre (RBC) and 'other' organisations which can include government and non-government purchasers.

Since the tenders page and the GEDC and RBC partnership was established in 2006, around 110 regional tenders have been listed on the IDC.

"When the RBC agreed to come on board with the tenders page both agencies were keen to provide a 'window' for regional businesses to view upcoming tender work," Mrs Fletcher said.

"The support of the shires in sending through their tenders is an important aspect of this.

"An estimated AU$20 million of shire work was listed on the IDC last year," she said.

"This can be captured investment in our regional economy when local contractors can view upcoming work and then plan their work capabilities to meet purchaser needs."

Access to the IDC is easy through http://www.idcgold.org.au/, or click on "Links" on the GEDC website and navigate your way to the website.

Organisations are encouraged to list on the Business Directory, update their details, search for work, list tenders or view the message board or specialty links pages.

Tourism and sport on the agenda in the Northern Goldfields

By Janice Kendall, GEDC Northern Goldfields.

Well there is still much development happening in the tourism industry and GEDC have been working on a funding application for the Shire of Leonora to develop the Northern Drive Trail.

The funding application to Regional Partnerships for an upgrade of the information bay entry into Leonora was successful, so you will see new structures and development there in 2008.

This will be the start of the proposed Northern Trail, so it's an important new feature for Leonora.

Meanwhile, Tourism Northern Goldfields, made up of the Shires of Leonora, Laverton, Menzies, Wiluna, Ngaanyatjarraku and Sandstone are still working towards developing a website and brochure for the Northern Goldfields.

We are waiting on confirmation of a funding application to develop the website and brochure.

This will help to promote the region to visitors and tourists and help to boost numbers travelling to our unique area of the State.

This cross-shire collaboration is a strong initiative to promote and support this remote area which is often under-valued as a tourism attraction.

Stronger links have been forged with Australia's Golden Outback, Kalgoorlie-Goldfields Tourism, Golden Quest Discovery Trail and Goldrush Tours which will add value to our tourism industry future.

The Outback Highway Development Council are also working on an Integrated Tourism Plan.

With recent upgrades to the Central Desert Road, through the lobbying carried out by OHDC, there are more people taking the adventure route into our region from the eastern states.

*

In October the Northern Goldfields Sport and Recreation Program received a State Sport and Recreation Industry award for innovation.

This program is strongly supported by the management committee made up of the shires of Laverton, Leonora and Menzies; GEDC; Department of Sport and Recreation; Indigenous Coordination Centre; Minara Resources and BHP Billiton.

Through this collaborative process and as a direct result of hard work and expertise by the coordinator Kelly Fuhrmann, this program has proven very successful since its inception in February 2005.

The positive social and health benefits for the region through this program have been significant.

Unfortunately Kelly Fuhrmann has left the role and is now managing the Leonora Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

However, this successful program will continue into the future and a new sport and recreation coordinator will be appointed in the new year.

Mapping out GEDC direction

Staff and board members from the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission have a clear picture of where the organisation is headed over the next year after taking part in a strategic planning session.

The session was held to provide an update on what projects the GEDC will focus on over the coming year.

The event was held on November 30 in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and was facilitated by GEDC southern region manager Shayne Flanagan.

"This was a great opportunity for staff and the board to work together.

"It allowed us to plan the appropriate projects to focus on infrastructure and industry services, regional promotion and investment opportunities," Mr Flanagan said.

"The work followed on and provided an update to the strategic plan which was already in place for the GEDC."

For more information on the projects GEDC staff are undertaking, click on the "Our Projects" link at left.

Training board meets in Goldfields

Western Australia's peak industry training advisory board has met in Kalgoorlie-Boulder as part of a series of regional visits.

The State Training Board provides high level advice to Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan on the supply and demand for skills, particularly those industries that are experiencing skills shortages.

The board plays a critical role in reviewing and assessing the needs and priorities of the vocational education and training sector in WA.

The board met in Kalgoorlie-Boulder for the first time in October.

This gave the board an opportunity to meet with members of the Goldfields-Esperance Workforce Development Alliance, including GEDC chief executive Robert Hicks, at a function at Curtin VTEC.

"This was a great opportunity to discuss the issues that are affecting the Goldfields Esperance region," Mr Hicks said.

The Goldfields-Esperance region is represented on the board by GEWDA chairman Bill McKenzie, who is the former GEDC chairman.

Chief executive's Christmas wishes

On behalf of the management and staff of the GEDC may I extend our warmest best wishes to all readers.

Christmas is that time of year when we reflect on the birth of Jesus, take time to reflect on the year that was and spend precious time with family.

2007 has been an incredibly exciting year for the GEDC.

We welcomed the Hon. Ljiljanna Ravlich as our new Minister, focused attention on workforce and infrastructure issues of significance, endured the cut and thrust of a federal election and worked with a broad range of stakeholders to bring about positive results for the region.

Sincere thanks to all those who we worked with throughout the year.

A very happy, safe and holy Christmas to you all.

Farewell from outgoing chairman

My term as Chairman of the GEDC expires 31 December 2007 and therefore this will be the final opportunity to address readers.

I have spent six wonderful years on the GEDC board and I can say without hesitation that I've enjoyed my time serving the region.

As the peak advocacy organisation for the Goldfields-Esperance region I take heart in knowing that the region has been strongly represented at all levels of the community and government.

We have made significant inroads on a numbers of critical issues.

My thanks to fellow board members for their friendship, support and wise counsel and to the staff of the GEDC; keep up the good work.

May I take this opportunity wish all readers of this newsletter a wonderful Christmas.

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