Jurien Bay selected as Super Town, Davies
Author: Mia Davies
Published on: 07-July-2011
Member for the Agricultural Region, Mia Davies has welcomed the announcement that Jurien Bay had been selected for the first round of SuperTowns.
“Jurien is an ideal candidate with strong population growth related to more retirees and families being attracted to the area and the expanding tourism industry, encouraged by the new Indian Ocean Drive,” Ms Davies said.
Ms Davies said this exciting Royalties for Regions initiative aims to enhance and stimulate growth in key regional towns in the southern half of the State.
“Western Australia’s population is set to double by 2050 – SuperTowns is about preparing regional WA to cater for some of this growth.”
“SuperTowns will empower regional communities to start planning to attract and sustain larger populations.
“This initiative provides a significant boost to regional communities and will give these towns, where significant economic drivers exist, the opportunity to undertake strategic planning and prepare for population growth.”
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls yesterday announced Katanning, Collie, Esperance, Northam, Jurien Bay, Morawa, Boddington, Manjimup and Margaret River have been selected in the first round and will share in $85.5 million as part of the Royalties for Regions Regional Centres Development Plan (SuperTowns).
Ms Davies said regional WA is driving the State and National economies and recent studies indicate investment in our regions results in major economic gains for the nation.
“In Western Australia, regional areas produce 85 per cent of exports, which accounts for $94 billion in our economy.
“By enhancing regional towns we can boost the economy and ease the pressure on our cities, making the growth of our State more sustainable.”
The selection process for the initial SuperTowns program was based on local and regional economic drivers, as well as each community’s readiness to attract and sustain growth.
The nominations were evaluated by a high-level steering group which provided advice to the Regional Development Council, which made recommendations to Government for consideration by Cabinet. Towns not listed for the first round of funding will have the opportunity to participate in a future round.
