Representatives from organisations across the Goldfields-Esperance region travelled to Canberra this week to participate in the Outback Way Forum.
Attendees from the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, Regional Development Australia Goldfields Esperance, Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, Shire of Laverton, Shire of Leonora, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Visitor Centre and Australia’s Golden Outback, headed to Canberra to participate in the Forum and raise the profile of the region and this project.
The two-day forum, sponsored by GEDC, brought together community, industry, business, indigenous and government representatives to discuss the next stages of delivery of the Outback Way – a nation-building infrastructure project connecting communities by road across the centre of Australia from WA, through the Northern Territory to Queensland.
Attendees collaborated on a ‘Benefits Roadmap’ that outlines the projects required to deliver benefits to communities along the route of the Outback Way, as soon as possible.
Participants explored both benefits and challenges of the new Highway, including an increase in visitation and freight, telecommunications and emergency services requirements and more.
The Outback Way Council will share a summary of outcomes from the Forum for stakeholders to use as a communication tool for advocacy and coordination around the project.