Community & Environment

Active ageing

Developing infrastructure which supports accessibility, ageing in place, Aboriginal engagement and advanced health care, including mental health

Proposition

Ageing in place

Enable people to age in place and transition to appropriate high and permanent care as required Moving forward - Ensure continued community engagement through age-appropriate sports delivery and social/interest groups

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Build supported seniors accommodation to meet forecast demand
  • Ensure high care services are expanded both in high care accommodation and services to the home
  • Build culturally specific Aboriginal high and permanent care facilities for Aboriginal seniors
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • The region’s higher proportion of older people enjoy appropriate public infrastructure and have access to quality services delivered by a strong non-government sector

Community connectivity

Ensure the bulk of the population has access to public transport

Proposition

EV Network

Support the development of an EV charging network

Actions 1 - 5 years

Grow ‘greenfleets’ across all levels of government

5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
Proposition

Trackless tram

Investigate the introduction of a ground-breaking trackless tram featuring renewable power

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Plan for a service within Greater Bunbury
5 - 20 years
  • Extend South to Busselton and Vasse
  • Introduce technologies to automate the service
Outcomes 2050
  • The key population corridor is connected by an efficient zero emissions transport service

Community wellbeing

Ensure the community is well served through leadership, volunteerism, collaboration and the safety of residents

Proposition

Capitalise on opportunities in art

Engagement with art and culture builds bridges in diversity and demographics as well as promoting a sense of place

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Build the arts and creative culture of the region through events and Aboriginal recognition
5 - 20 years
  • Build an iconic cultural and community centre at Mangrove Cove in Bunbury to celebrate Aboriginal art and culture
Outcomes 2050
  • The South West has a deep understanding of connections, engagement and growth in a value framework that respects the environment and demographic diversity
  • Arts and music are identified tools for engagement, recognition and regional pride across the South West
Proposition

Shared vision

Facilitate a regional consensus on a shared vision and objectives through education and communication to build capacity

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Exploit opportunities to educate and enhance leadership skills and understanding of regional development as a determinant of the region’s future growth
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • The South West has a deep understanding of connections, engagement and growth in a value framework that respects the environment and demographic diversity
Proposition

Volunteerism

Ensure volunteerism remains a vital ingredient of South West community life

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Promote the value of volunteerism as a contributor to regional liveability and human connection
5 - 20 years
  • The region features a developed system utilising the experience and skills of retirees
Outcomes 2050
  • The South West has a diverse and capable not-for-profit sector
Proposition

Emergencies covered

Ensure the region has the capacity to deal with natural events including storm, fire and flood

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Encourage collaboration in planning for catastrophic events and support emergency organisations
  • Plan for multiple centres to support communities and shared accommodation resources that can be transported to areas of need
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050

Education

A region of excellence requires the capacity to deliver high quality services from kindy to higher education

Proposition

Growing to meet need

Ensure kindergarten/primary and high schools are capable and have capacity to meet forecast population growth Continued learning - Improve engagement of young people in the opportunity to access higher education and achieve high retention rates Adaptation - Education and training are innovative in service delivery and work in collaboration with industry partners to adapt to changing needs Further education - Increase the number of school leavers engaged in further training – TAFE and recognised certificates

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Integrate vocational education with industry need and input, paying particular attention to opportunities for endogenous workforce growth on the South West Health and Education Precinct led by ECU South West
  • Introduce additional learning support/centres in key areas of regional growth reflecting regional student participation levels
  • Follow through on ECU’s commitment to be a university of the future, creating points of difference and being responsive to change
5 - 20 years
  • Integrate and develop online learning support/centres in each of the region’s major towns to deliver synchronous quality courses in an online mode
  • Physically expand higher education close to centres of population and industry
  • Expand student accommodation facilities in Bunbury to support local initiatives and domestic and international student enrolment at ECU and to support SR TAFE
  • Deliver a range of courses and modalities aligned to regional need and demand
Outcomes 2050
  • Young people choose to remain in the South West for their education or return to the region following graduation elsewhere
  • The region has a vibrant well developed international student cohort
  • A broad range of educational opportunities exist for people to participate in education at any stage of life
  • The South West is established and recognised as an education region and Bunbury is recognised as an education city
Proposition

Higher education options

Continue to expand degree options for regional students, supporting first year study in the South West with the possibility of completing degrees in Perth

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Focus on international student opportunities
  • Strengthen proven links with Africa and explore other Indian Ocean countries
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050

Health

Ensure hospital, GP and Primary Health care services have the capacity to meet demand from a South West population of 300,000

Proposition

Health

Primary health care - Ensure the region has access to primary health care professionals, quality emergency care and a suite of programs that address health issues for a growing population Healthy minds - Ensure the needs of people with mental illness are addressed as far as possible within the region Aged care - Expansion of aged care services (to age in place) and accommodation options to address demographic change Aboriginal health - Ensure that South West services support efforts to close the gap in Aboriginal health outcomes Expectations - Traditional health service delivery becomes more patient-focused Health professionals - The region should move towards growing its own workforce rather than rely on recruiting from other areas

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Improve focus on the management of chronic disease (diabetes, asthma, mental health, and arthritis for example) and the associated lifestyle risk factors for these conditions (obesity, alcohol use, smoking, inadequate exercise and poor diet)
  • Complete refurbishment of Bunbury Regional Hospital and deliver St John of God Hospital services in Vasse
  • Begin construction of the SW Aboriginal Medical Service’s new centre
  • Invest in palliative care facilities to ensure patients need not travel to Perth
  • Boost ‘day hospital’ care services in the Capes region and support redevelopment of the Margaret River Hospital Campus
  • Support the increase of locally-trained workers, integrating training by educators and health providers
5 - 20 years
  • Population growth is demanding greater investment in oncology services to ensure need is met in the region
  • Step change management accounts for support infrastructure needs such as parking, catering and necessary supplies
  • Work towards meeting demand needs for additional chemotherapy, dialysis, theatres and beds
  • Ongoing Integrated health services are provided to support adolescent health
Outcomes 2050
  • High incidences of health morbidity have been addressed and awareness of the impact of personal decisions on individual health has increased
  • The South West is a preferred regional destination for health professionals
  • The South West is a model of integration and collaboration between the public and private healthcare systems

Housing

Real estate stocks need to support growth across a mix of housing options at a range of settlement scales

Proposition

Affordability and choice

Ensure there is a mix of affordable housing options providing choice in terms of block size and city or hamlet scale living Lighter footprint - Encourage lightweight construction methods to reduce the demand for sandfill Social housing - Address homelessness issues and spread public housing within suburbs and throughout the region

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Unlock land and ensure appropriate land supply and regional choice to manage pricing and regional living expectations
  • Expand the trades workforce through local training, and through migration, to meet construction demand
  • Develop integrated accommoda-tion for at-risk young people with service provision aimed at returning them to mainstream education and work
5 - 20 years
  • Detailed planning for the new suburb of Wanju to come on line – setting timelines and a schedule of necessary infrastructure roll-out
  • Incorporate affordable housing targets in new development proposals
Outcomes 2050
  • Affordability is no longer a major housing social issue in the South West
  • All regional communities are self-sufficient with a range of housing options that enable people to remain in their local communities

Regional capital: Greater Bunbury

Strengthen the role of Bunbury as Western Australia’s second city supporting regional commerce, trade, arts, culture, education and human services

Proposition

Bunbury

Position Bunbury as a well-connected and consolidated city of choice through access to high quality services, housing, economic opportunity, education and high quality amenity in both recreational and public open spaces

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Complete Bunbury Waterfront Development including expanded marina facilities in Casuarina Harbour and Koombana Bay
  • Expand the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery to provide a regional exhibition and art education centre
  • Bunbury is home to a decentralised government agency
5 - 20 years
  • Create new mixed-use development opportunities at Casuarina Harbour following decommissioning of Outer Harbour infrastructure
Outcomes 2050
  • Greater Bunbury is Western Australia’s second city known for its vibrancy, growth and commercial investment
  • Bunbury is a viable residential and investment alternative to Perth
  • Bunbury is recognised nationally as a maritime trade and commercial centre

Regional city: Busselton

Develop the City of Busselton as a major Western Australian regional city

Proposition

Busselton

Establish Busselton as the regions’ major lifestyle city based on tourism, wine and food, creative industries, events and high-value professional services

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Complete Busselton foreshore development incorporating high quality accommodation development
  • Ensure Busselton features Wi-Fi access in major tourism nodes
  • Monitor sea level rises to plan for the future
5 - 20 years
  • Develop responsible approaches to managing coastal retreat or protection in respect of sea level rises
Outcomes 2050
  • Busselton is a nationally recognised city for high- value industries in the creative sector, professional services and tourism and is an international gateway for business and tourism visitation to the region

Regional waste

Minimise kerbside waste and ensure that practices and processes head towards a target of zero landfill consistent with State and Australian Government policy agendas

Proposition

Waste Precinct And Capacity

Develop the South West Waste Precinct at Kemerton to be best practice in diverting waste from landfill Expand sub-regional waste facilities capable of recycling and managing waste in a hub and spoke model to service a forecast regional population of 300,000

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Boost the region’s composting capacity to divert landfill
  • Replace basic raw materials with recovered alternative materials
  • Utilise waste resources in roadbuilding
  • Investigate pyrolysis for non-suable waste as a source of biochar, carbon black and energy generation
5 - 20 years
  • Construct a materials recovery facility (MRF) to sort waste streams
  • Compost materials are widely used to improve agricultural land in a drying climate
  • Expand recovery to all forms of plastics with sub-regional collection points
Outcomes 2050

The South West is nationally recognised as a leader in waste diversion, reuse and management

The use of waste materials in road building is commonplace and all materials are utilised

South West streetscapes

Create an image of the region’s settlements that showcases culture and environmental values, benefitting the community and reducing heat islands

Proposition

Creative culture

The region’s towns should reflect their sense of place in public art, heritage, atmosphere and offerings to attract population and stimulate business

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Each settlement to undertake a review exploring their points of difference and showcase South West art
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • The South West is a desired lifestyle location with each area featuring its own character
Proposition

Urban canopy

Urban greening concepts set the region and Western Australia apart

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Extend urban greening concepts to all built areas
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • Urban streets are greener and boost available habitat as well as human lifestyle

Sport and recreation

Ensure the region has adequate well planned sports and recreational spaces across the region

Proposition

Enhance liveability

Ensure adequate land area is developed to provide an expansion of team-based sports facilities mindful of demographic and gender need Raise the game - Position the South West to have premium facilities which enable the region to host State-wide country events, support population growth and attract workers Trails reputation - Support the development of key trail infrastructure that adds to the South West brand and reputation

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Upgrade Eaton Recreation Centre as the region’s FIBA accredited basketball venue and home to the State Netball League’s SW side
  • Investigate the provision of indoor netball courts in the South West
  • Redevelop Hay Park regional facilities (including athletics stadium and regional BMX track) at Bunbury
  • Develop the Greenbushes Sports Precinct to support community and need resulting from Talison growth
  • Develop land in Dalyellup to cater for oval-based sports demand
  • Repair and upgrade the Cape to Cape Track, and, develop the Wadandi Track
  • Redevelop and upgrade Manjimup’s Rea Park and Collier Sporting Precinct
  • Upgrade Bunbury Netball Association courts
  • Upgrade Boyup Brook recreation facilities
5 - 20 years
  • Redevelop the South West Sports Centre to increase capacity, integrating new models of service delivery and private sector integration to boost financial sustainability
  • Redevelop the ageing Hockey Stadium infrastructure in Bunbury
  • Build a new recreation centre to cater for growth in the City of Busselton
  • Redevelop and extend the Bovell Park Sporting Complex to a regional facility
  • Redevelop and upgrade the Leschenault Leisure and Recreation Precinct
  • Complete the trailbike and ATV trail in Manjimup
  • Plan and deliver a state level equestrian facility at Capel Regional Equestrian Centre
  • Investigate the provision of suitable shooting sports facilities in the South West
Outcomes 2050
  • A strategic spread of recreational space exists to support both population growth and the requirements of specific population demographics

Sustaining environmental qualities

Acting to mitigate and adapt to climate change and sustain the environmental qualities which are intrinsic to the character of the South West

Proposition

Maintaining environmental values

Ensure the region maintains its environmental and economic values, maintaining sustainable credentials while growing in a drying climate and with rising sea levels Include Net Zero and carbon emission reduction in all activities and projects

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Support the region’s NRM bodies which work strategically to ensure the region’s landscapes, flora, fauna, waterways and coastline are protected for current and future generations
  • Support the Peron-Naturaliste Partnership (PNP) to identify and mitigate sea level rise between Rockingham and Naturaliste
  • Continue to address nutrient inflows into the Leschenault Estuary, Hardy Inlet-estuary and Geographe Waterways and repair habitat
  • The whole SWALGA Zone collaborates on a united goal to decarbonise the South West
  • Support the post mining transition of land back to nature or appropriate community use
5 - 20 years
  • Retrofit existing stormwater management systems with water sensitive urban design and continue to improve nutrient management to reduce threats to fish and water quality
  • Undertake a long-term study of groundwater salinity to investigate the impacts of continued agricultural use of the Western side of the Forrest Hwy in the Shire of Harvey
  • Develop a funding mechanism to ensure measures to mitigate against sea level rise can be achieved
Outcomes 2050
  • Population and industry growth has occurred without materially compromising South West environmental values and lifestyle leaving a positive legacy for the future