Industry, Business & Investment

Focus: Agriculture

Agriculture

Ensure the South West maintains its reputation for quality products, produced in a reputable environment

Proposition

Food reputation

Ensure the region is well positioned to meet growing domestic and overseas demand for high quality food products Regional tourists experience quality foods in South West restaurants and at special food events such as Truffle Kerfuffle to create demand in premium markets Support regional growth through value adding, soil improvement, reducing regulatory barriers, introducing common user infrastructure and making more efficient use of water resources in a drying climate

Actions 1 - 5 years

Protect the best agricultural land for food production
Support technological solutions to blockchain, enhancing regional brand reputation
Introduce regenerative agriculture on marginal land and areas where soils are degraded
Conduct inbound food and wine buyer events to support growth
Develop traditional/native foods and spices as a point of difference and Aboriginal business opportunity
Investigate potential for food manufacturing links as a part of the advanced manufacturing drive
Introduce regenerative agriculture in marginal farming areas
Host the WA Small Wineries Show at a major venue

5 - 20 years

Find ways to reduce waste and utilise food that does not meet consumer expectations eg blemished fruit
Develop an Agribusiness Precinct on an unconstrained site to replace the ageing Boyanup Saleyards – the new facility should include food manufacturing opportunities and export for high value produce
Encourage R&D and investment in water infrastructure and improve irrigation efficiency through consolidated schemes
Implement closed loop horticulture systems, recycling nutrients and organic matter material back to the soil

Outcomes 2050

South West product value has increased as it takes advantage of high-value niche markets domestically and overseas
Regional consumers value regional production and all restaurants and cafes proudly prepare local product
Nuisance weeds have been eradicated
Soils have improved

Proposition

Growth

Support regional growth through value adding, soil improvement, reducing regulatory barriers, introducing common user infrastructure and making more efficient use of water resources in a drying climate

Actions 1 - 5 years

Support technological solutions to blockchain, enhancing regional brand reputation
Investigate potential for food manufacturing as a part of the advanced manufacturing drive
Introduce regenerative agriculture in marginal farming areas

5 - 20 years

Encourage R&D and investment in water infrastructure and improve irrigation efficiency through consolidated schemes.
Implement closed loop horticulture systems, recycling nutrients and organic matter material back to the soil
Create a food processing and research incubator in Manjimup
Find ways to reduce waste and utilise food that does not meet consumer expectations eg blemished fruit

Outcomes 2050

Nuisance weeds have been eradicated
Soils have improved

Focus: Basic raw materials

Basic raw materials

Ensure adequate supplies of basic raw materials to ensure affordable development of land for commerce and community

Proposition

Basic raw materials

Explore options to safeguard supplies of sand, gravel and limestone for regional project development

Actions 1 - 5 years

Develop extraction sites and investigate alternative basic raw materials including re-use of mining

5 - 20 years

Develop ready supplies of materials resulting from minerals processing activities, adding value to a ‘waste’ product and fulfilling a regional need

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Outcomes 2050

The need for virgin sand, gravel and limestone is reduced as cost-effective alternative and inert sources of materials have been found

Focus: Creative industries

Creative industries

Ensure the creative sector has the best opportunity to expand and thrive

Proposition

Grow the creative cluster

Support the sector’s reputation and opportunity in a fully inclusive environment that bridges sub-sectors of the industry and crosses cultures Drive skills development across the board to underpin the industry and grow critical mass in the South West Support jobs growth in an industry that has a very light footprint

Actions 1 - 5 years

Promote awareness of the value of the creative sector and support through local procurement and events including CinéfestOZ and the Emergence Festival
Look to develop a commercially-based Creative Hub centred in Busselton, and link in opportunities to nurture talent through an incubator model
Underpin part-time management costs to grow the South West Creative Corner with the neighbouring Great Southern region and develop the region as a hotspot for talent

5 - 20 years

Develop national and international links through the Creative Tech Village
Continually update the centre with cutting edge shared facilities to support the sector

Outcomes 2050

The South West has significantly grown its film, digital media, music and related creative capacity and is recognised as a major international contributor earning export income leading to new opportunities for education and training

Proposition

Boost Aboriginal economic development

Encourage opportunities to support the Aboriginal community through the acknowledgement of arts and culture

Actions 1 - 5 years

Grow the recognition of Aboriginal art in the region and continually move towards commercialisation opportunities

5 - 20 years

Ongoing long-term efforts to embrace a uniquely South West form of art
Include culture and arts opportunities as an attractor and commercial venture via a Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation centre in Mangrove Cove

Outcomes 2050

Aboriginal art in the region is widely recognised as distinctive and belonging to the South West

Proposition

Build the creative brand

Enhance the entire region’s creative reputation

Actions 1 - 5 years

Encourage all Local Governments to create streetscapes, places and feature public art in a way that collectively boosts the region’s creative brand

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

The region has a reputation as a destination to enjoy art and culture

Focus: Export opportunities

Export opportunities

An industry and business sector with the skills, knowledge and capacity to engage with Asia

Proposition

Business support

Skill local business and industry in Asian and Indian business culture, language, finance and export procedures

Actions 1 - 5 years

Support trade opportunities through engagement with Government and trade bodies
Establish an online South West opportunities prospectus demonstrating regional capability

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

The South West has a fully engaged, well developed international market presence with the reputation of being a good place to do business

Focus: Forestry and timber processing

Forestry and timber processing

Ensure the sustainability of forests through replanting and public understanding of locking up carbon

Proposition

Expand the estate

Growing the plantation estate is critical to give confidence of future supplies and underpin investment in the sector Drive to zero waste - Employ the latest technologies in harvesting and engineered products to underpin the sustainability of the industry Ensure community understanding - Promote environmental, regional, social and economic benefits from managed forests and woodlands, while ensuring bushfire risks are not exacerbated

Actions 1 - 5 years

Identify suitable landholdings for plantation timber and salinity reduction benefits with immediate investment through the Forest Products Commission
All South West LGAs adopt the Timber First policy
Construction of a common log landing and manufacturing precinct for timber manufacturing based on shared economies of scale
Investigate carbon offset systems to stimulate investment interest and to promote tree planting
Encourage farmers to plant trees on parts of their landholdings to grow the overall plantation estate
Explore opportunities for an Advanced Timber Manufacturing Hub, boosting investment prospects

5 - 20 years

Mainstream building companies offer timber homes as a standard
Attract investment in industrial scale mainstream kit homes
Continued plantation expansion guarantees supplies and tackles salinity issues
Introduce Forestry Management Plans that work over longer timeframes to give confidence to investors

Outcomes 2050

The South West has an international reputation for producing sustainably sourced and quality timber and wood products
The region is known for building innovation in renewable timber
The South West has more plantation acreage than in 2020 and will continue to expand the estate in a way that supports communities
More homes are built of timber in the pursuit of savings and sustainability: grow-build-plant-repeat

Focus: Land for industry

Land for industry

Ensure adequate land supply, water and energy is available to create business opportunities, economic diversity and generates employment across industry sectors

Proposition

Industry land bank

Sufficient land is set aside for a range of industry needs to 2050

Actions 1 - 5 years

Complete structure planning for Kemerton, Shotts and Preston industrial land areas being mindful of significant water constraints
Ensure major towns have a supply of light industrial lots to support small business

5 - 20 years

Provide a rail link to the Kemerton Industrial Park and improve the East-West link Marriott Road
Realise the potential of the Waterloo industrial estate, its transport connectivity and proximity to Picton
State Government to look at incentivisation strategies to encourage industrial attraction and development

Outcomes 2050

The South West has sufficient land for industry set aside to meet future demand and eliminate land use conflicts

Proposition

Shovel readiness

Industrial land is prepared for immediate investment in respect of planning, water and power

Actions 1 - 5 years

Approval processes are undertaken by Government to remove investment barriers from SIAs at Kemerton and Shotts

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Proposition

Light industrial areas

Set aside, and ensure fit-for-purpose locales are provided, particularly in respect to necessary services in smaller regional towns Upfront infrastructure support required to develop new fit-for-purpose areas

Actions 1 - 5 years

Provide utilities including three-phase power and water with adequate pressure for fire-fighting in Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Donnybrook, Manjimup, Pemberton, Nannup

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Focus: Tourism

Tourism

Develop tourism infrastructure in core South West experiences of wine and food, art and culture, events and landscapes

Proposition

Events

Increase the number of high value events to attract wider interstate and international visitation

Actions 1 - 5 years

Investigate opportunities to hold business events and capitalise on Busselton Margaret River Airport
Capitalise on sports assets to host major events and country carnivals
Support local government to grow events as attractors

5 - 20 years

Support infrastructure requirements of the Margaret River region to deliver as a premium destination for tourism
Create a completed mountain bike and trails network catering for all needs from walking, cycling, bridle trails, motorcycle and others
Complete development of Collie Motorplex to at least a standard to hold nationally televised competitions
Maintain Bunbury Speedway to a standard that secures national and state level events
Support and develop Manjimup to become Western Australia’s premier trailbike racing and experience hub

Outcomes 2050

The South West’s international visitation rate matches intra and interstate rates leading to new investment in accommodation, things to do and jobs growth
Traditional owners are celebrated throughout the region and Western Australia for their connection to country, art and culture
All restaurants support local food produce, beers and wines
The South West features a range of appropriate accommodation choices that support infrastructure investment

Proposition

Creative combination

Street art, sculptures and townscapes demonstrating a sense of place add to the regional brand in business and leisure

Actions 1 - 5 years

Each South West townsite begins to develop and reflect their own unique sense of place
Support the Nannup Geopark proposal

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Proposition

Aboriginal opportunity

Boost Noongar cultural experiences and involvement for contributions in other suitable projects throughout the region

Actions 1 - 5 years

Engage traditional owners and ILUA Regional Councils in projects with a view to generating Aboriginal employment opportunities that support culture

5 - 20 years

Outcomes 2050

Proposition

World leader

Increase economic contribution through higher value visitation from interstate and overseas markets by providing first class attractions, experiences, food and accommodation

Actions 1 - 5 years