What's new

2 May 2012 Port Access Corridor project getting closer to start date

Awarded the contract to build the $120miilion Esperance Port Access Corridor Project at the end of March, construction company John Holland is now recruiting staff and contractors.

The project, which will help alleviate traffic bottlenecks and improve safety and sound issues along Harbour road, will commence in July this year and is expected to be completed by December 2013. In addition to the traffic and safety issues, the project will create a number of opportunities for local business and industries in the region.

John Holland is currently recruiting staff for the project. An expression of interest form for business and industry to complete is attached. An overview of the project and of the work required can be viewed on the John Holland site.

See attachment: jh_expression_of_interest.pdf (PDF document, 22 KB)

30 April 2012 Visit the Spotlight on Goldfields-Esperance website

Spotlight on Goldfields-Esperance is part of a series of community indicator frameworks being developed in partnership between the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the nine WA Regional Development Commissions, and the WA Department of Regional Development and Lands. The aim of the Spotlight Project is to bring together selected statistical information about each region, from a wide variety of sources, to provide a practical framework for use in regional strategic management and policy development.

This Spotlight on Goldfields-Esperance site provides a colourful addition to the existing statistics page on this site.

24 April 2012 SuperTowns Project Update

The Esperance SuperTowns Project Team are pleased to release the first edition of the Esperance SuperTown Community Newsletter!

The newsletter will provide the people of Esperance and the sub-region with up to date information regarding the SuperTowns initiative, status of the four projects selected for 2012 SuperTowns funding applications, upcoming community consultation opportunities and major announcements.

The Community Newsletter will be hitting letterboxes in Esperance this week and copies will also be available at the Shire of Esperance offices or online at the website

The draft Esperance Growth Plan is also available on the Shire of Esperance website along with information sheets on each of the SuperTowns projects selected as 2012 funding applications.

23 March 2012 Over the Horizon 2012 - an outstanding success

The recently held ‘Over the Horizon’ 2012 was an outstanding success. The business and industry forum coordinated by Goldfields Esperance Development Commission and Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attracted over 230 delegates and included a key note address from Federal Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Hon Anthony Albanese

“ The attendance of Minister Albanese at the event was a huge coup and we certainly acknowledge the efforts of our Federal Member for O’Connor, Hon Tony Crooke to ensure his participation.” GEDC District Manager Shane Liddelow said.

The announcement of Federal funding support towards the Port Link project was also a welcome surprise. The Portlink project will be particularly important to Esperance as the rail realignment around Kalgoorlie- Boulder will allow the Yilgarn Iron Ore miners to rail their product unhindered down to the Esperance port.

The forum also included presentations from key industries including Agriculture, Tourism and Mining. ECCI CEO Grant Shipp added that the range and calibre of presenters at this year’s forum was excellent and Esperance was in a very good position to diversify its economy.

“With over half a billion dollars in construction projects set to start in town this year, and the selection of Esperance as one of the States Governments nine SuperTowns , the horizon for Esperance is very bright. “ he added.

Presentations by keynote speakers are available on this page.

Chamber of Commerce and Energy WA
Department of Immigration
Department of Commerce
Esperance Ports Sea and Land
First Quantum Minerals
Galaxy Resources
Goldfields-Esperance Workforce Development Plan
National Broadband Network
Shire of Esperance
Tourism Council WA
TPG Town Planning

9 March 2012 New Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission Board Appointments

State Cabinet recently approved the appointment of Jon Price as Chair and Ronald Mosby as Deputy Chair to the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission Board of Management along with two new and five reappointed members.

Jon has lived and worked in the Goldfields region for over 20 years and has extensive experience in the resources sector. He started his working career as a Metallurgist and spent much of his time in Leonora, Laverton, Southern Cross and then Kalgoorlie. He studied for his Masters in Mineral Economics at WASM (West Australian School of Mines) and worked in Kambalda as Processing Manager and Acting General Manager before taking on the General Managers role at Paddington for 3 years. He is currently the Managing Director of an emerging Gold Mining Company which he established and is headquartered in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Ron Mosby operates his own accounting practice, is involved in property development, overseas enterprises and is the immediate past president of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He brings to the Board a strong commercial acumen.

The two new Board members are Mr Richard Grant, currently a Contractor Consultant based in Esperance with extensive experience in government, corporate, financial and community relations and Tracy Browning, Managing Director for Goldfields Exploration Tenement Services based in Kalgoorlie-Boulder who has a unique understanding of both the mining industry and government operations.

The reappointed members are Messrs Jeffery Carter, Anthony Bright, Ronald Yuryevich, Lawrence Hamilton and Wayne Rodgers.

23 January 2012 Export capacity at Esperance Port to increase by up to 20 mtpa

Export capacity at Esperance Port will potentially increase by up to 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in a staged plan, with the State Government today formally committing to expansion of the port.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the Government would embark on a market sounding exercise to identify private sector interest in expanding the port’s capacity for iron ore exports.

The Minister said the decision to expand capacity from 11 mtpa to about 20 mtpa in the first instance at Esperance Port instead of Kwinana was influenced by a recently completed study into the Yilgarn province’s burgeoning iron ore industry and the fact that $120million was being spent to upgrade the port’s road and rail access.

“Esperance Ports Sea and Land has a strong management team and the skills and capacity to proceed with a major project like this. Engaging the private sector will minimise costs and risks to the Government,” Mr Buswell said.

More information is available on The Minister's Statement

1 August 2011 Esperance - A SuperTown

An exciting State Government initiative to begin the process of enhancing and stimulating growth in key regional towns in the southern half of the State was recently announced by Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls.

Esperance is one of nine towns identified as a SuperTown for the first round of this initiative, along with Boddington, Collie, Jurien Bay, Katanning, Manjimup, Margaret River, Morawa and Northam.

With WA population set to double in the next 30-40 years, Esperance will provide an attractive alternative to living in the metropolitan area.

$5.5 million from the Royalties for Region program is available to assist the nine initial SuperTowns with strategic planning and $80 million will be allocated to kick-start transformational projects.

Read more
Ministerial Statements by the Hon. Brendon Grylls, Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development.