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Geraldton – FROM A LOCAL TO GLOBAL REGIONAL CITY Over the next 50 years Geraldton will undergo a transformation... The authors would like to acknowledge Tony Brun, City of Greater Geraldton Authors Geraldton – Allan Mason, Arup Professor Peter Newman, Curtin University Phil Melling, City of Greater Geraldton Professor Janette Hartz-Karp, Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute FROM A LOCAL Design David Galloway, Ferart Design Andrews&Co. andrewsand.co Dr Ed Oldmeadow, Syrinx Photography TO GLOBAL Drew Bandy (unless otherwise stated) drewbandy.com Sue Groom, Arup Ferart Copyright Curtin University 2012 REGIONAL CITY CONTENTS 12 Forewords 16 The vision 18 A new name for a global city-region 21 A liveable city-region 24 A sustainable growing city-region 34 Connecting the clean power 35 Logistics for the future 38 A carbon-neutral city-region 40 An adaptive economic city-region 42 Create a deliberative and engaged community 46 Dawn of the Digital Economy 48 Embracing new opportunities 51 From a vision to a reality 52 Bibliography From being a small regional city dedicated to harvesting the land and the ocean... ... into a truly diverse, exciting and interesting city FOREWORD BY THE HON MINISTER SIMON CREAN MP Geraldton is a great city and region know community leaders have a great also draw the Geraldton region into The Australian Government has a Our Government is committed Hon Minister Simon Crean MP with a marvellous history and a very vision for the region which includes the the global economy. genuine commitment to regional to meaningful engagement with Minister for Regional Australia, Regional bright future. ambition to be the second Pilbara for Australia and to entrenching the regional communities on these issues. I am a great believer in the Development and Local Government; iron ore mining. concept of ‘regionalism’ in our Local government and the Regional I encourage you to read Geraldton importance of local decision making Minister for the Arts national decision making. Development Australia network are – from a local to global regional city A major expansion of mining in to develop strong regional economies central to these efforts. that maps out how the people of the Geraldton or Midwest region and communities and Geraldton is a The opportunity to unlock the potential the Geraldton region can embrace will require access to vast power good model. of our regions has never been greater or To support regional communities resources and an understanding that more important. to grow in a sustainable way means economic opportunities to become As the Minister for Regional Australia, underpinning this will be harnessing equipping them to meet challenges a global centre, while retaining their Regional Development and Local As Australia’s regions realise this the potential of renewable energy. and seize opportunities created by local, regional character. Government and Minister for the potential – building on their diversity The region has huge potential changing population patterns and This paper demonstrates this Arts I am making sure that Australian and lifting productivity – this will to expand solar, geo-thermal, demographics, such as the ageing potential and looks to the future. Government policy effectively targets improve prosperity both in the regions bio-mass, wave power and wind population, the conditions of the I share this vision. investment in regions, particularly in and for the nation as a whole. power generation. global economy and the transition the areas of health, education, skills, Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Australia’s regional communities must to Australia’s low carbon future. I am aware there are plans to triple the communications, infrastructure, water, Western Australian Museum — be given the tools to shape their future. It is as much about environmental extent of wind farming in the region climate change as well as the arts. Geraldton celebrates the rich heritage I know that a top-down, one-size- sustainability as it is economic. taking generation up to 450mw. of the land, sea and people of the Our Government is making sure that fits‑all approach will not work. Instead, I look forward to working with regions Midwest region. It is also a focal point There are so many opportunities in all regions of Australia are empowered we need a place-based approach to like Geraldton to secure this future for the Yamatji people who are the the Geraldton region. to identify local need and to guide investment and local development, and to make sure that the voice of local custodians of this ancient landscape. their own futures, through a strong so regional communities can secure These opportunities will not and regional communities is strong Regional Development Australia their future based on their own unique Having visited Geraldton late last only benefit the region, they will and is heard loud and clear. network and other mechanisms. characteristics and priorities. year and spoken with local people, I strengthen the national economy and 12 FOREWORD BY THE HON BRENDON GRYLLS MLA Regional WA remains the backbone may grow from around 55,000 to the ground breaking Pilbara Cities I congratulate the Curtin University of the WA and national economy. 80,000 by 2021. Such growth and document that has already driven Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSP), The continued growth in the resources societal change presents the CGG unprecedented public investment Arup and other stakeholders for industry, plus development of and other Midwest communities in Karratha and Port Hedland. Such their involvement in preparation diverse industry sectors and strong with significant challenges and research and strategic technical of this publication and encourage population and workforce growth opportunities that can’t be ignored. planning helps decision makers ensure decision makers to use it to help the that public and private investment is community of Geraldton achieve its presents enormous challenges In concert with the Western Australian targeted to deliver the best and most vision of becoming a liveable, growing, and opportunities for regional areas. Planning Commission’s Midwest sustainable outcomes for regional carbon-neutral and economically It’s pleasing to see regional Regional Planning and Infrastructure communities. adaptive city. communities working proactively Framework, the MWDC has prepared to capture these opportunities and a Midwes tInvestment Plan (MWIP) As the Midwest enters this period of to clearly outline the region’s strategic intense change, this discussion paper seek to leverage sustainable long Hon Brendon Grylls MLA term outcomes for current and priorities. Concurrently the City of can be used to support coordinated future generations. The Midwest Greater Geraldton has undertaken development and leverage funding Minister for Regional Development; regional centre of Geraldton is an extensive consultation and various through various Federal and State Land; and Minister Assisting State excellent example. strategic visioning exercises to programs. The Royalties for Regions Development help guide its transition from a funding program is one important The Midwest Development stable regional centre to thriving, tool for reshaping regional WA Commission’s (MWDC) Midwest sustainable global city. that has already made substantial Major Projects Summary (December investment in the Midwest, including 2011) identified more than $27 The “Geraldton – from a local to global $220 million towards implementation billion worth of projects planned regional city” discussion paper aligns of the Midwest Investment Plan. or proposed for the Midwest over closely with the Liberal-National Significant region changing projects the next five‑seven years. If all such governments focus on developing borne out of this discussion paper may projects come to fruition, one study major regional cities in WA. The paper also target other Royalties for Regions predicts that the region’s population is the second in the series, following funding opportunities. 15 Geraldton – From a locAL TO GLOBAL REGIONAL CITY THE VISION Geraldton is at the start of a substantial Based on a series of public engagement commerce. Local people will be employed the city and enjoy its amenities. Food will This is the vision emerging from the This paper sets out a road map for During 2009–10 the City of Greater Each of these issues is discussed, economic growth process driven by processes and interviews with key people, in a diverse range of work opportunities. still be produced close to, or within, the local civic leadership. It is described in a journey that looks 50 years into Geraldton undertook the Sustainable and headline projects outlined, and a mining, trade and science that will draw this Discussion Paper describes what will Ultimately this broader economic well-planned and structured city. Added the City’s City of Greater Geraldton— the future. It uses what we know Future City Project to set a broad potential way forward is summarised. the Geraldton region into the global be needed to match the global economic approach will help reduce local and to this will be a reversal of ecological 2029 and Beyond, from community about the potential projects that vision for what it wanted to become. But first, the idea of a new name for economy. The people of the region want to development drivers with a broadening regional cost structures and promote damage and a regeneration of the natural consultation undertaken by