The annual report summarises the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) achievements for the past year, goals for the coming year and existing projects. This report is tabled in both Houses of Parliament.

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; and initiating and supporting community awareness and capacity building to equip local and regional stakeholders to deal with projected climate change and sea-level rise

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 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 increasing use of FIFO by resource projects in regional WA represents a loss of economic and regional benefits. Moreover, FIFO makes it more difficult for communities to capture the benefits that arise from project activity and expenditure at the local or regional level. The Regional Development Council is undertaking a study on FIFO projects with the view to developing policy options that ensure the regional impacts of FIFO operations are assessed early in the State's project approval process for the purpose of achieving better outcomes for regional communities and businesses.

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

A quarterly 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.

To facilitate tri-partite funding opportunities so as to deliver improved infrastructure in the Goldfields-Esperance Region.

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) is managed by the GEDC. The primary objective of GERDS is to improve the social and economic development of the Goldfields-Esperance region through funding projects that will assist in attracting investment and increasing employment.

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 tender's page.
• Business and government information links including maps and statistics.

This service is available at www.idcgold.org.au

Assisting the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and other stakeholders to establish a regional Technology Hub. This facility will integrate and attract technology based activities.

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

As a Regional Certifying Body for the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) Regional Migration Initiatives, GEDC has certifies regional migration applications. With the establishment of the Skills Migration Unit in Western Australia this role has been expanded to support the Skills Migration Unit with State based migration initiatives. Migration initiatives include:

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
• Skilled Independent Regional Visa.
• 457 Temporary Business Sponsorships.
• Skills Matching Database.
• Promotion of Initiatives.
• Identification of skills shortages.
• Supporting local businesses with developing migration applications and providing advice and assistance to streamline the process.
• Support the Skills Migration Unit.

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), the community and businesses to achieve social and economic outcomes, which benefit those areas. To support ongoing economic and social development that increases resources and services to the Northern Goldfields Region and to support 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

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.

The North-South standard gauge line between Leonora and Esperance and the East-West standard gauge line between Kalgoorlie and Perth.

The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) offers a regional economic modeling 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.

The Commission 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.

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

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.

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 supports the development and diversification of tourism in the Southeast.

Collect, maintain and disseminate statistical data relevant to the Goldfields-Esperance region.

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