Shining a spotlight on housing in the Mid West, Mia Davies.
Author: Mia Davies
Published on: 27-November-2009
Member for the Agricultural Region Mia Davies will discuss housing and accommodation issues in the Mid West with key government and private sector stakeholders at a housing forum on Monday 30 November 2009.
New resources projects in the Mid West are expected to underpin growth in investment and population, creating significant opportunities for local communities.
Ms Davies has been working with the Mid West Development Commission and the Shires of Perenjori, Mingenew, Morawa and Three Springs to ensure hinterland communities benefit from mining activity in the region.
She said resources projects had a lot to offer communities in the Mid West, but it was important to get planning in place to ensure communities benefited and growth was sustainable.
“The Mid West is a unique region – I think we all agree that we don’t want to see a repeat of the planning and social issues that occurred as a result of the boom in the Pilbara,” Ms Davies said.
“This region is well placed to benefit from the resources projects and the Shires have been very proactive in looking at how the region can benefit.
“We are working to ensure there is a strategic approach by Government and the private sector to development and investment in the Mid West region."
Developing adequate housing is a key part of this planning and will assist in attracting and retaining workers in these towns. The housing workshop will bring together government and industry to plan for the increase in land and accommodation demand that may result from new resources projects.
“Quality housing is the first step toward attracting a quality workforce – it’s a great place to live and some people want live in locally, which will be a great boost for these communities,” Ms Davies said.
Ms Davies said the Shires of Perenjori, Mingenew, Morawa, Three Springs and the Mid West Development Commission were already working with industry to facilitate investment in the region and ensure this investment contributes to investment in social infrastructure.
