Projects

Ascertain the potential impact of a carbon pollution reduction scheme upon the regional economy.

Climate Proofing is seen as a practical response to the growing concerns of governments and communities over the vulnerability of regions to the projected impacts of climate and associated environmental changes.

Climate Proofing Regions encompasses:

• Fostering integrated approaches to climate change adaptation through risk reduction;
• Identifying and developing tools and techniques for integrated vulnerability assessment and management that address local and regional environmental conditions;
• Initiating and supporting community awareness and capacity building to equip local and regional stakeholders to deal with projected climate change and sea-level rise;
• Source funding to undertake a regional risk assessment of climate change, devise an adaption strategy and a gap analysis in conjunction with key stakeholders; and
• Attract research capacity to the region so as to undertake climate change research specifically related to the different ecological niches represented in the Goldfields-Esperance Region.

The Desert Knowledge Australia project aims to build knowledge and business networks between small businesses with the support of government and industry agencies across desert locations, including Alice Springs, Port Augusta, Broken Hill, Mt Isa and Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The Commission is involved in the Inter-Regional Video Conference Meetings.

To support and assist in facilitation of various activities and projects related to enhancing the training and education opportunities and therefore employment outcomes in the region.

The GEDC is working closely with the Local Community Partnership Program to ensure a more strategic approach is taken and greater linkages between business and industry are established.

The GEDC is actively involved in working to establish a long term, reliable and high quality water supply for Esperance and the Goldfields region.

The Regional Development Council has initiated a project that aims to find better ways for furthering investment by extractive industry companies in sustainable regional and community futures. It will be undertaken through collaborative actions that bring together the resources of private and public sector stakeholders in regional Western Australia.
The broad objectives of the project are to:

• Describe and analyse the current situation with respect to the impediments to regional communities being more self sustaining;
• Assess the effectiveness of the current and possible future levels of investment by extractive industry companies in the sustainable development of communities in regional Western Australia;
• Identify and demonstrate collaborative ways in which extractive industry companies in Australia and other countries can play an enhanced role in sustainable regional and community sustainability through strategic engagement and investment and;
• Confirm the effectiveness of the collaborative measures in delivering sustainable outcomes for regional communities by way of attracting and retaining populations and enterprises in Australia and similar environments.

To provide facilitation services to communities and agencies where appropriate.

The Commission investigates and assists the development of forestry industry opportunities such as timber processing silviculture management, harvesting and transport.

A bi-monthly electronic newsletter is produced to promote the activities of the GEDC and its involvement in the Goldfields-Esperance region.

The website provides information about the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, its activities and the Goldfields-Esperance region.

The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) is working with the Western Australian Community Foundation (WACF) and the Goldfields Esperance community to look at ways in which the community can create sustainable funding opportunities for the future.

Established to share the intelligence, resources, knowledge and expertise across all stakeholders to determine the most effective and efficient approach to training and employment needs of the region. The end result being a skills ecosystem for the region that is self perpetuating, increasing a skilled labour force, attraction and retention productivity and regional economics.

The GEDC disseminates and sources grant information for government and community groups as required.

The Goldfields-Esperance Regional Development Scheme (GERDS) has operated in the region from between 2004 and 2008-09 under GEDC management. The primary objective of GERDS was to improve the social and economic development of the Goldfields-Esperance region through funding projects to attract investment and increase employment. Funding for the program has been completed but a number of projects are still in progress.

The GEDC administers the funding for the Royalties for Regions, Goldfields-Esperance Regional Grants Scheme (GERGS). The primary objective of this scheme is to provide funding for regional projects that will benefit Goldfields-Esperance communities. Further information relating to this fund can be found at http://www.gedc.wa.gov.au/grants.php . The next funding round is scheduled to open in the near future.

To establish a sustainable framework to better understand higher education gaps within the region and a mechanism to highlight and drive higher education into the future.

The Industry Development Centre (IDC) is a tool designed to link regional buying and selling organisations.

The key features of the IDC include:

• A substantial database of regionally based businesses.
• A tenders page.
• Business and government information links including maps and statistics.

This service is available at http://www.idcgold.org.au/

• Work with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and other stakeholders to identify a suitable site for a transport hub.
• Facilitate the establishment of the transport hub.

To develop an integrated approach to the conservation and sustainable use of the region's natural resources.

To provide support to the Shire of Dundas for the development of the Norseman Main Street Project.

The GEDC's Northern Goldfields Project Officer (located in Leonora) works in partnership with the four local Government Authorities in its sub-region (i.e. Menzies, Laverton, Leonora and Ngaanyatjarraku); as well as working with Northern Goldfields communities and businesses to achieve social and economic outcomes which benefit the region.

This project supports ongoing economic and social development which leads to increased resources and services to the Northern Goldfields region and also supports investment and population growth of the region, through the provision of information and advice.

The GEDC is assisting the Shires in the Northern Goldfields to further develop sports and recreation facilities and support the Northern Goldfields Sport and Recreation Coordinator.

The GEDC is assisting the Northern Goldfields Shires to implement the Tourism Development Plan to achieve sustainable tourism development that delivers maximum return on assets and investment, thereby contributing to the social and economic growth of the Region.

The GEDC is supporting the development of services, programs and infrastructure for youth in the Northern Goldfields.

Provide project proponents with information that will assist in planning processes, provision of infrastructure, economic impact of proposed projects and access to local goods and services.

Supporting Stakeholders in securing funding to improve the Port Access Corridor

The Commission continues to promote the region as a great place to work, live and invest using different concepts such as university open days, supporting recruitment initiatives, the development of a regional CD and brochure, and other projects as determined.

Work collaboratively with the Goldfields-Esperance RDA committee to deliver positive regional outcomes in a spirit of cooperation between the State and Commonwealth governments

The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) offers a regional economic modelling service that can:

• Indicate the economic 'flow on' of business activities.
• Assist with information for project funding applications.
• Show the growth potential of industry sectors.
• Support infrastructure planning.
• Provide a statistical profile of the region.

A ‘one off’ cost of AU$250 for the REMPLAN service applies for commercial organisations.

Specific areas of infrastructure development and activity include power, water, telecommunications, industrial parks, transport and participation on relevant committees.

The GEDC seeks to assist in identifying and developing the infrastructure to meet the needs of the region by:

• Networking with relevant peak bodies and stakeholders.
• Lobbying appropriate agencies and industry groups.
• Facilitating discussion between relevant groups for specific outcomes.
• Preparing submissions on key issues.
• Assisting with project development processes.
• The Goldfields-Esperance Transport Upgrade Project (GETUP.

A review is being conducted on the processes and actions involved in the planning and implementation of infrastructure at BHP Billiton's Ravensthorpe Nickel Project.

Upgrade the section of highway between the towns of Ravensthorpe and Esperance, a distance of 185km's.

To conduct a study of the expected power needs for the Ravensthorpe area and the possibility of an east-west power line from the SWIS.

The GEDC is working closely with local stakeholders to establish a tourism development plan, to ensure a systematic and planned approach to the development and diversification of tourism in the Southeast.

• Encourage the collection of statistical data at the regional level.
• Use statistics for planning purposes and to predict future trends.
• Provide statistical information on the region as required.