Economic Infrastructure

Focus: Advanced manufacturing and digital hub

Advanced manufacturing and digital hub

Look to future trends and position the South West

Proposition

Bunbury-Geographe cluster

Identify key sites for advanced manufacturing and engineering services

Actions 1 - 5 years

Undertake a study to investigate suitable sites with available industry-zoned land and put in place infrastructure to attract investment

5 - 20 years

Transition to a highly skilled workforce and environment where business is increasingly connected with academia
Transition to green energy use to boost business credentials and support the South West brand

Outcomes 2050

The South West has transitioned to a knowledge economy and is recognised for innovation and quality
Continued investment is justified as the South West gains reputation for downstream processing and enjoys world class supply chains
The South West is a leader in waste minimisation and is fully engaged in the circular economy

Proposition

Value-add downstream processing and circular economy

Expanding the manufacturing sector is a key to value adding resources and facilitating growth including engagement with a waste innovation hub to benefit from R+D synergies

Actions 1 - 5 years

Offer information on available industrial land with a focus on transport links and co-location synergies

Explore opportunities in critical minerals and the recovery of minerals

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Focus: Aviation

Aviation

The South West provides a suite of services including passenger, flight training, commercial, recreational and emergency services

Proposition

Busselton Margaret River Airport

BMRA becomes a recognised regional airport at the national level with links to other Australian cities and Asia, continually attracting quality upgrades to service the region

Actions 1 - 5 years

Begin constructing a quality fit-for-purpose passenger terminal with a view to expansion and meeting the expectations of visitors to the Capes region
Develop and construct freight and logistics warehousing facilities at BMRA

5 - 20 years

Upgrade to cater for international passengers
Introduce quarantine capacity for international freight

Outcomes 2050

The South West is connected via key air routes in Australia and Asia
BMRA has a reputation for collaborative work with the mining sector, providing quality FIFO options

Proposition

Bunbury Airport

The airport provides high capacity general services for recreational aviation, emergency management and flight training

Actions 1 - 5 years

Investigate offsets for future expansion

5 - 20 years

Construct a cross-runway to provide an alternate runway for training and in the event of strong winds

Outcomes 2050

The South West provides a suite of flight training, recreational and quality emergency services including for RFDS, air ambulance and bushfire fighting aircraft

Proposition

Manjimup Airport

Airport is capable of supporting 50-seat aircraft for fly-in fly-out and emergency service provision

Actions 1 - 5 years

Widen existing runway seal to 30m

5 - 20 years

Build additional terminal space and refuelling facilities

Outcomes 2050

Proposition

Boyup Brook Airport

Airport can accommodate emergency night flights and glider demand

Actions 1 - 5 years

Extend the runway and add lighting to accommodate RFDS night flights and recreational use for gliders

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Proposition

Emergency services

Ensure all regional airports have the capacity to support access for the Royal Flying Doctor Service The region’s airports should also plan for, and be able to host, water bombers

Actions 1 - 5 years

Emergency access must be made available to all the region’s airports

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Focus: Bunbury Port

Bunbury Port

Enabling the development of trade through shipping, connecting the South West to world markets

Proposition

Bunbury Port

Plan for the best use of significant landholdings and exploit the proximity to Perth by developing berths and rationalising landholdings Grow the port to meet South West and State export/ import needs for bulk cargoes, energy transition requirements, niche container cargoes, breakbulk and roll-on roll-off cargo including refrigerated and food grade cargo Acknowledge regional ports importance in regional development via sustainability, collaboration and active participation in innovation systems

Actions 1 - 5 years

Begin relocating Outer Harbour facilities to the Inner Harbour
Plan for widening the channel to maximise efficiencies and accommodate 265m vessels
Plan for a port-based operations centre with autonomous control capability
Plan for renewable energy projects
Commence planning for new berth facilities to handle growing trade requirements inclusive of energy transition and onshore processing requirements

5 - 20 years

Relocate all Outer Harbour facilities to the Inner Harbour
Widen the channel and extend Berth 5 to accommodate longer vessels
Deliver an operations centre and relocate port operations to the central port site
Develop port landholdings to support new trade opportunities for the region
Begin the development of berths to support multi-user options including RO-RO

Outcomes 2050

The region is well served by its port in a co-ordinated delivery of maritime services, working with other ports to provide solutions to both the South West and Perth

Focus: High capacity bandwidth and digital connections

High capacity bandwidth and digital connections

Ensure the region is capable of communicating and transferring data at the forefront of world standards

Proposition

High capacity bandwidth

The region is able to expand its economic base and social amenity through high capacity broadband delivering 100+ Mbps for domestic use, 1-10Gbps for business use, and wireless throughout the region

Actions 1 - 5 years

Upgrade satellite to wireless services, existing wireless to fibre and FTTN to FTTC/FTTP
Free wi-fi access is available to support tourism in town and city centres throughout the region
Back up batteries increase wireless and telecoms tower coverage during bushfires
All blackspots are covered

5 - 20 years

Lever off progressing the digital agenda to engage with edge computing and establish a data centre in the South West

Outcomes 2050

The South West is a region of excellence in digital technology
The South West is a recognised technology region capable of meeting the needs of cutting-edge industry, the creative sector as well as education and social connectivity
The critical mass of telecommunications demand is sufficient to drive investment in new and emerging technologies as access is enabled and consumers have choice

Proposition

Mobile coverage

Mobile phone access is available throughout the entire region to support economic growth, improved social amenity and emergency calls Mitigate against bushfire risk and natural disasters by pursuing whole-of-region coverage

Actions 1 - 5 years

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Focus: Intermodal Transport Hub

Intermodal Transport Hub

Deliver an open access IMT to maximise transport efficiencies

Proposition

Intermodal Transport Hub

Plan for freight efficiencies, combining road, rail and port systems at the Waterloo site identified by the WA Department of Transport

Actions 1 - 5 years

Work towards site planning at Waterloo/Picton, accounting for existing transport networks, industrial land availability and future need

5 - 20 years

Deliver an open access inter modal transport hub to meet the regional freight task for decades ahead

Outcomes 2050

The South West is served by an efficient inter-operable hub, boosting competitiveness in industry and supporting investment decisions

Focus: Rail

Rail

Ensure rail systems keep apace with the needs of the region

Proposition

Rail

Continually improve the South West rail network and connections to Perth to maximise freight competitiveness and community passenger patronage

Actions 1 - 5 years

Implement actions to improve the speed of Bunbury-Perth passenger services
Investigate the potential reinstatement of the Greenbushes line and provide some certainty for impacted regional communities

5 - 20 years

Complete duplication of South West Main Railway Line – Brunswick to Bunbury Port – which would trigger remodelling the Coalfields Hwy/South Western Hwy intersection
Construct standard gauge rail from Bunbury IMT to Perth
Link Kemerton to Bunbury Port

Outcomes 2050

The region’s rail connections are fast and efficient, featuring standard gauge rail and grade separation

Focus: Roads

Roads

Construct free-flowing major roads to benefit industry and minimise freight traffic on local roads

Proposition

Freight efficiency

Maximise efficiencies through connections on key routes and grade separations to ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic and boost business competitiveness

Actions 1 - 5 years

Complete the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and Bussell Hwy duplication
Lighting at brake inspection bay on Coalfields Highway
Continually improve local roads with an emphasis on delivering sealed roads for Scott River agriculture producers
Continually improve South Western Hwy with upgrades and additional passing lanes from Donnybrook to Walpole
Upgrade Graphite Road linking Manjimup and Nannup
Upgrade roads to Improve efficiencies and safety around the lithium mine in Greenbushes
Upgrade both Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road and Boyup Brook-Cranbrook Road to support agriculture and proposed developments

5 - 20 years

Upgrade the Brockman Hwy between Nannup and Bridgetown
Investigate putting in place the Vasse Dunsborough Link ahead of the Busselton Outer Bypass

Outcomes 2050

The South West has efficient freight, tourism and community networks meeting the needs of a go-ahead region

Focus: Sustainable energy

Sustainable energy

Ensure there is access to sustainable, affordable energy supplies to support a growing region

Proposition

Energy security

The region is able to expand its economic and population base through the provision of adequate energy supplies and reliable distribution networks, making the best possible use of renewable energy options and opportunities to decarbonise energy

Actions 1 - 5 years

Begin the green hydrogen journey with generation and refuelling at the Shire of Dardanup Depot in Waterloo
Continue to develop battery storage opportunities linked with the SWIS
Explore and construct a mix of renewable energy options – solar, wind and hydrogen – where feasible
Encourage solar and the electrification of local government assets at all levels, including EV charging and street lighting

5 - 20 years

Underground power, particularly in the highest risk bushfire areas
Expand to make best use of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) network
Provide upgraded power supplies to Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area and the Scott River area to facilitate industry and agriculture investment

Outcomes 2050

The South West has secure and sustainable energy supplies for a population of 300,000
New industry is developing on the basis of access to reasonably priced green energy with a mix of technologies providing opportunity

Focus: Water Security

Water Security

Ensure the South West has long term water security for agriculture, industry and domestic purposes

Proposition

Desalinating Wellington Dam

Improve water availability and quality, desalinating the Wellington Dam water resource to support industry and downstream agriculture, targeting irrigation district growers and freeing up capacity for agricultural reserves around Myalup

Actions 1 - 5 years

Develop a business case for improving the dam, converting open irrigation channels to a piped network and improving water security

5 - 20 years

Consider integration of recycled water, use water balance to underwrite agriculture and industry

Outcomes 2050

The region has access to fit-for-purpose industrial water supplies to meet growth in manufacturing and agriculture
Salinity reduction in agricultural water supplies and long-term catchment rehabilitation is advanced

Proposition

Southern Forests

Ensure water security in the agricultural food production areas across Bridgetown-Manjimup-Pemberton

Actions 1 - 5 years

Encourage shared infrastructure as growers manage their own water security

5 - 20 years

Implement evidence-based research and monitoring in a drying climate

Outcomes 2050

The Manjimup growing district has better protection against climate change and drought

Proposition

Waste water recovery resource

Treat and utilise waste water, and other non-potable sources, for use in public open space, recreational space and for industry

Actions 1 - 5 years

Construct a pipeline from Dalyellup waste water treatment site to Bunbury for distribution within Dalyellup and Bunbury
Extend wastewater reuse to all parts of the South West particularly looking at Collie and Busselton townsites, and new urban development areas in Margaret River

5 - 20 years

Connect all large scale recreational and public open space areas to fit-for-purpose on-potable water
Future residential developments should include grey water systems

Outcomes 2050

Set the benchmark for reusing waste water, minimising waste in a drying climate
Potable water supplies are safeguarded and fit-for- purpose water is used for public irrigation

Proposition

Wastewater management/sewerage

Existing septic sewer systems in urban areas are replaced by sewer systems

Actions 1 - 5 years

Complete sewerage infill provision in Bunbury, Busselton and Leschenault to mitigate against eutrophication
Begin installing reticulated sewerage in Boyup Brook

5 - 20 years

Complete sewer infill in Augusta, Balingup, Bridgetown, Manjimup, Northcliffe, Collie, Donnybrook, Capel, Harvey, Margaret River, Gracetown, Nannup, Witchcliffe and Walpole

Outcomes 2050

All South West towns have quality sewerage systems as a standard feature

Focus: Water Security Continued

Water Security Continued

Proposition

Managing groundwater resources

Investigate and provide appropriate level of protection/optimisation of existing resources

Actions 1 - 5 years

Complete the current sea water intrusion monitoring program
Identify coastal areas throughout WA that may require additional sea water intrusion monitoring bores

5 - 20 years

Ensure an adequate network of sea water intrusion monitoring bores has been established

Outcomes 2050

Monitor and flexibly manage groundwater extraction to optimise aquifer management, protect current users and ensure the resource remains available for future generations

Proposition

Water servicing

Ensure expansion of Greater Bunbury is undertaken in a coordinated and sustainable manner, including upgrades to services in Capel and Boyanup

Actions 1 - 5 years

Undertake a rigorous assessment of water servicing options for Wanju including wastewater, scheme water and fit for purpose water for irrigation of urban landscapes

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5 - 20 years

Ensure water servicing infrastructure including arterial drainage is constructed in a timely manner to service urban expansion and industry throughout the region

Outcomes 2050