Enews

In this edition

• Port access corridor under scrutiny
• Industry leaders to help coordinate census collection
• Finding solutions to skills shortages
• Have your say on community funds
• Selling the good life in the Northern Goldfields
• New chamber for business community
• Ravensthorpe secures grant for firefighting
• Minister commits funds to racing

In this Enews you can find out more about how one group is tackling skills shortage and another is looking closely at access to Esperance Port. We'll also give you plenty of inspiration to trek through the Northern Goldfields.

Port access corridor under scrutiny

Public consultation about the development of the Esperance Port access corridor is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

GEDC southern region manager Shayne Flanagan is a member of the Esperance Port Access Corridor Working Group, which has been formed to oversee the corridor's future development.

Mr Flanagan said the Esperance Port was economically important to the region, State and nation because it was the strategic gateway for the Goldfields-Esperance region.

"It's vital that the port access transport corridor is maintained and developed in such a way that allows this to continue," Mr Flanagan said.

As part of the process, Main Roads WA has started a planning study to develop a long-term solution for the Esperance Port Access Corridor.

The study comprises two phases:

• A preliminary planning process which involves public consultation;
• A detailed planning process which will take into account information provided by the community through the public consultation process.

Main Roads WA will report back to the working group later in May with the outcomes.

Mr Flanagan said the detailed planning process would identify and assess any environmental, social, heritage and engineering issues.

"This will lead to the development of a planning design concept plan, as well as defining the land necessary to accommodate the corridor in future years," Mr Flanagan said.

"The GEDC has been proactive in approaching both the State and Federal governments to commit funding towards the measures identified within the detailed planning study.

"In this respect, the Federal Government has already committed AU$60 million, with the State yet to finalise its funding contribution."

GEDC chief executive Robert Hicks said the importance of finalising the funding for upgrades was vital.

Industry leaders to help coordinate census collection

A working group will be established to tackle better coordination of the next census.

The move's been made because of doubts about the accuracy of the 2006 census in the Goldfields-Esperance region.

Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission chief executive Robert Hicks said the GEDC would work with local government and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to establish a working party to consider ways the 2011 census could be better co-ordinated.

"The Goldfields-Esperance region presents some major challenges for collecting census information.

"This includes the difficulties in determining population because of fly-in, fly-out mining, getting information from people located in remote locations and tracking down tourists across our vast region," Mr Hicks said.

"If the ABS can get better and more reliable census data in 2011, the flow-on positive impacts for the region and the local government authorities will be significant, such as possible increased funding through grants."

Mr Hicks paid tribute to the efforts of the ABS to work with local organisations to help find solutions for undertaking the next census in the region.

The GEDC's Ray Ciantar will lead the formation and operation of the working group.

Finding solutions to skills shortages

A group designed to tackle the skills shortages in the Goldfields-Esperance region are closer to finding solutions.

The Goldfields-Esperance Workforce Development Alliance was put together to tackle the critical workforce and skills shortages the region faces.

GEWDA plans to pinpoint exactly what skills are needed in the region in coming years.

To do this, GEWDA has contracted the University of Western Australia to provide a 10-year strategic workforce plan for the reigon.

Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission chief executive Robert Hicks, who is part of GEWDA, said the group would meet on April 18 to hear UWA present their findings.

"This will be a fantastic opportunity for the group to get together to look at the report, and translate that research into on-ground action," Mr Hicks said.

"Once the group has considered the report and its recommendations, we will share that further amongst the Goldfields-Esperance community for feedback and action."

Have your say on community funds

How do you find funds for worthwhile projects in your community?

It can seem like a struggle, but there is an answer.

And if you're in the Esperance area, you can find out more on April 17.

The Goldfields-Esperance Community Foundation has been set up with AU$100,000 in the kitty to support people, projects and activities that contribute to the region.

The foundation is established under the umbrella of Western Australian Community Foundation, an independent organisation designed to help communities and charities attract funds.

Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission senior project officer Liane Auld encouraged people from right across the Goldfields-Esperance area to join the local advisory group.

"We are looking for people who are passionate about their community, and who are committed to the long-term future of our region," Ms Auld said.

"We have held an information session explaining the foundation in Kalgoorlie, and I'm really looking forward to meeting with more people in Esperance.

"If you live in the Goldfields-Esperance region and you're keen to join the reference group, I'd love to hear from you."

The community foundation information evening is on in Esperance on April 17 at 6pm.

It's being held in the board room at the GEDC and a light supper will be provided.

To RSVP, or for more information, phone the GEDC on +61 8 9080 5000 or email

Selling the good life in the Northern Goldfields

By Janice Kendall, Northern Goldfields project officer.

"Where the wedge-tailed eagle soars above the mulga plains.. If you are planning to tour through Western Australia's outback, you should seriously consider spending some time in the Northern Goldfields Region. Take the time to let the region embrace you with its ancient magic; enjoy its physical beauty, unique history and vibrant personality."

This is some of the wording which will appear in a brochure being developed for Tourism Northern Goldfields (TNG) to attract visitors to the region.

This innovative group is made up of the Shires of Wiluna, Ngaanyatjarraku, Laverton, Leonora, Sandstone and Menzies.

They are working with GEDC Northern Goldfields project officer Janice Kendall and consultant Norm White from Advance Tourism (based in Melbourne) to develop a brochure and website to promote the region as a tourism destination.

The six shires involved in this project have some well established attractions of their own, such as the Anthony Gormley Statues at Lake Ballard near Menzies; The Great Beyond - Explorers Hall of Fame at Laverton; Gwalia Historical precinct and Hoover House at Leonora just to name a few.

There are further projects being developed in each shire and the production of a brochure and website will help to promote the area to attract more visitors.

Although the Northern Goldfields is currently experiencing a mining boom; the region still needs to look to future diversification and sustainability.

Strong links are being developed with Tourism Western Australia, Australia's Golden Outback and Kalgoorlie Goldfields Visitors Centre to provide awareness of this unique part of our state.

Vast expanses of blue sky and red earth provide a real outback experience filled with native wildlife and spectacular breakaways to explore and discover.

If you have only considered this area of the Goldfields as remote and desolate, you need to come and see for yourself. You will be amazed at what the Northern Goldfields has to offer.

New chamber for business community

Concerns about the long-term future of the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been dismissed with a new committee invigorated to guide the body towards successfully representing local businesses.

For a combination of reasons the ECCI suffered a significant downturn in membership during 2007 and there were concerns about its future.

But in November last year, Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission southern region manager Shayne Flanagan joined with 15 business owners to form a committee to rebuild the ECCI.

"With many projects and business opportunities currently being proposed for the Goldfields-Esperance region, it is important to have a strong chamber of commerce to provide support for existing and new businesses to maximise the opportunities provided by these prospects," Mr Flanagan said.

He is helping the ECCI develop a business plan focussing on the next 12 months and then extending to a rolling 36 month plan.

The plan will centre on improving the chamber's financial and organisational position.

"Importantly, it will be strongly focused on delivering a greater level of service to members and to the long-term sustainability of the chamber," Mr Flanagan said.

The chamber is also working towards developing alliances with other regional chambers and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA) to provide wider access to services for Esperance businesses.

"Local chambers of commerce are an integral part of regional business communities.

"They represent the interests of their members at federal, State and local government levels, as well as providing a reliable source of relevant information to solve business problems and networking opportunities to accommodate business growth," he said.

"For these reasons, the GEDC is pleased to be assisting the Esperance Chamber throughout its rebuilding process."

Ravensthorpe secures grant for firefighting

The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission has helped secure AU$200,000 in funds for firefighting resources in Ravensthorpe.

The Shire of Ravensthorpe received the grant through the Regional Headworks Program.

GEDC chief executive Robert Hicks said the GEDC had liaised with the Ravensthorpe community for some time about the lack of available water pressure to adequately fulfill current building requirements for the Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

"We appreciate the fact that the issue of water is a very important one for the rapidly growing town," Mr Hicks said.

"While current provisions will cater for domestic and normal industrial needs, the local townsite topography creates a problem in providing for adequate water pressure and supply should there be future major fire events."

New FESA standards must now be applied for business and industrial premises.

The Shire of Ravensthorpe will provide the land, water and ongoing maintenance for a firefighting facility and has also secured a contribution for the local IGA store.

"I congratulate the shire on the outstanding job it has done to address this issue," Mr Hicks said.

Minister commits funds to racing

Goldfields-Esperance Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich met with the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other stakeholders during a visit to Kalgoorlie-Boulder last week.

While in the city, Ms Ravlich presented a cheque for AU$1.3 million to the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club to help with track and facility upgrades.

The grant was made through the Government's AU$25 million Regional Racecourse Infrastructure Grants Program.

Ms Ravlich said the funds would be used to install a new irrigation system, replace the existing stewards and vision towers, enable widening of the track and improve safety fencing.

"The resurgence in the racing industry over the past few years has been a boon for Goldfields racing, but the increased racing activity has created considerable difficulties for the club in maintaining a suitable racing surface and training facility," she said.

"The KBRC has identified the track as its main priority and has worked with Racing and Wagering Western Australia to realise this project."

Work on the project is to start immediately and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"Racing in Kalgoorlie is well supported by the Goldfields community," the Minister said.

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