FACTSheet #4, March 2014

2013 and 5.2% in 2014. (ABS Introduction 5220.0 &5204.0) Facts and figures 1 • ’s This document has been prepared merchandise exports rose Population growth 2 as an index of key facts relating 9% in 2012-13. This was the to the current performance of largest contributor to GSP Labour market 2 Western Australia and its capital growth ahead of business city . Industry sector employment 2 investment which was up 8.5% and household consumption Annual business investment 3 It draws on data from a range which was up 4%. (ABS 5220.0 & of sources including FACTBase, 5206.0) Quarterly business investment 3 government departments and • Merchandise exports are media sources and will be forecast to rise 6.25% and Economy overview 3 updated regularly. business investment to fall 9.0% Iron ore and LNG prices 3 in 2013-14. (ABS 5220.0 & 5206.0) • Merchandise exports are Major minerals and petroleum 3 Facts and figures expected to rise by an annual sale by value average of 6% between 2013- 14 and 2016-17, offsetting falling Western Australia’s gross state Iron ore and LNG sales outlook 3 business investment over the product (GSP) was $243 billion by volume period. (ABS 5220.0 & 5206.0) in 2012-13, contributing 16% of • Mining made the largest Principal agricultural 4 Australia’s gross domestic product industry contribution to GSP commodities (GDP). GSP per capita was growth in 2012-13, with real $98,069, which is 48% higher than value added rising 11%. (ABS Merchandise trade 4 the national average of $66,397. 5220.0) Major trading partners 4 • Other industry sectors Western Australia’s share of contributing to GSP growth national population was 10.9% Major iron ore export markets 4 included services industries by volume in the June quarter 2013, and which were up 4%. Non- is projected by the Australian market industries including Iron ore exports 4 Bureau of Statistics to rise to 12.2% public administration and (3.3 million) by 2022-23. Major iron ore exporting ports 5 safety; health care and social assistance; and education • Western Australia’s real GSP LNG exports 5 and training were up 4% and rose 5.1% in 2012-13, following manufacturing was up 1.5% 7.3% growth in 2011-12, Services trade 5 (ABS 5220.0) and was above the annual • Industry sectors detracting from Major services exports 5 average growth of 4.9% over GSP growth in 2012-13 included the past 10 years. (ABS 5220.0 agriculture, forestry and fishing Construction Industry 5 & 5 204.0) (down 44%), construction • GSP is forecast to rise 3.25% in Apprentice commencements 6 (down 1%) and the electricity, 2013-14 and 2.5% in 2014-15. gas, water and waste services (ABS 5220.0 &5204.0) Employment of females 6 utilities were down 2% (ABS • Australia’s GDP rose 2.6% to 5220.0) Employment of Aboriginal 6 $1,521 billion in 2012-13 and is • The mining industry accounted and Torres Strait Islanders forecast to rise by 2.5% in both for 29% of GSP in 2012-13. 2013-14 and 2014-15. (ABS Lifestyle 6 Services industries comprised 5220.0 & 5204.0) 28% and construction 13% of Knowledge and innovation 9 • Weighted annual average GDP growth of Western GSP. (ABS 5220.0) Acknowledgments 10 Australia’s major export • Mining industry nominal value markets is expected to rise added, fell 9% to $71 billion from 4.9% in 2012 to 5.3% in in 2012-13, due to the largest annual average fall in mining

FACTSheet 4, March 2014 | 1 FACTSheet #4, March 2014

commodity prices in more than • Western Australia retains top and 2.1% in each year to two decades. (ABS 5220.0) spot on the retail rankings with 2016-17, according to the • Nominal value added in spending in the September 2013-14 Government Mid-Year services industries rose by 7% quarter almost 22% above Financial Projections Statement to $69 billion and construction decade average levels. Solid (ABS 3101.0) by 3% to $31 billion in 2012-13. population growth, a lift in (ABS 5220.0) home purchases and firm • Agriculture, forestry and fishing wage growth underpin the Labour market nominal value added, fell 25% relative strength in consumer to $3 billion in 2012-13. (ABS spending. (CommSec State of • Employment in Western 5220.0) Australia fell 0.04% or by 500 the States, January 2014) • Western Australia remains the to 1.34 million in January 2014. • Western Australia was the top-performing economy in Annual average employment second ranked state for the nation with no slippage in grew 1.3% or 17,292 in the year the ranking over the past three housing finance, with the to January 2014, higher than months. (CommSec State of number of commitments 8.3% Australia’s growth of 0.9% or the States, January 2014) above the long-term average. 105,717. (ABS 6202.0) • Western Australia was ranked (CommSec State of the States, • The state’s unemployment number one in an international January 2014) rate was 5.1% in January survey of best destinations for • Home prices rose by 9.9% in 2014, higher than the 4.6% mining investment. The Fraser the year ending December in the previous month and Institute, named WA as the 2013. (CommSec State of the 4.0% a year earlier. Australia’s most attractive jurisdiction States, January 2014) unemployment rate was 6.0% for investment in its annual • Perth has been ranked the in January 2014. (ABS 6202.0) survey. It scored 85.3 out of a 21st most expensive city in • State employment is possible 100, beating Nevada, the world, according to a forecast to grow by 1.25% Newfoundland and Labrador. in 2013-14, with an average (ABC Online 11/3/14) global cost-of-living study. The unemployment rate of • WA ranked equal second Economist Intelligence Unit’s 5.0%, according to the in the world in the Best (EIU) Worldwide Cost of Living Practices Mineral Potential Survey, which compares 131 2013-14 Government’s Mid- Index, which takes into cities using New York as its year Financial Projections account both mineral and baseline, ranked Sydney as the Statement. (ABS 6202.0) exploration investment fifth and Melbourne the sixth potential, irrespective of most expensive on earth. (The policy restrictions. (ABC Online West Australian 3/3/14) Industry sector 11/3/14) employment • In September, Western Australia was stripped of its Population growth • Services industries accounted AAA credit rating by global for 46% of Western Australia’s credit ratings agency Standard • Western Australia’s population employment in 2012-13. Non- rose 3.5% in 2012-13, following and Poor’s which lowered its market industries comprised rating to AA+. The agency said 3.2% growth in 2011-12, and 23% and construction 10%. the downgrade was caused was above annual average (ABS 6291.0.55.003) by declining revenues and a growth of 2.5% in the past 10 • The mining industry accounted blow-out in the state’s debt. years. (ABS 3101.0) for 8% of State employment in It is the first time in more than • The state’s population was 2012-13. (ABS 6291.0.55.003) a decade that WA has not 2,517,165 in June 2013, 80,986 • Services industries’ had a AAA credit rating. (ABC more than a year earlier. Net overseas migration contributed employment rose by 24,075 News online 20/9/13) 64% (51,809) of the growth. or 4% in 2012-13. Employment • Western Australia leads the (ABS 3101.0) grew in all other industry way in retail trade. It is the • ABS Estimated Resident sectors, including utilities second strongest state on Population (ERP) figures up 5,650 or 34%, mining up economic growth, business indicate that the population 5,575 or 5% and construction investment, construction of Perth as of June 2012 was up 3,325 or 3%. (ABS work done, housing finance, 1,900,000, up 66,400, or 3.6% 6291.0.55.003) population growth and from one year earlier. The Peel • Mining employment growth unemployment; and finished region is home to 4.8 per cent in 2012-13 was driven by fourth on dwelling starts. of Perth’s population. increases in oil and gas (CommSec State of the States, • Population growth is forecast extraction, up 3,000 or 39%, January 2014) to slow to 2.5% in 2013-14 exploration and other services,

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up 2,750 or 15% and metal ore work done in 2012-13. (ABS 2013-14. (Western Australia mining was up 1,000 or 2%. 5206.0, 8762.0 and 5625.0) 2013-14 Government Mid- (ABS 6291.0.55.003) • Mining new capital Year Financial Projections expenditure fell 1.8% to $12 Statement) Business investment contributed billion in the September 31% of GSP in 2012-13. The state quarter 2013 - not adjusted for Major minerals and accounted for 28% of Australia’s seasonal factors. (ABS 5206.0, petroleum sale by business investment in 2012- 8762.0 and 5625.0) 13 and 51% of the value of value Australia’s resource projects under construction or committed in Economy overview • Western Australia’s iron ore October 2013. In September 2013 sales fell 7% to $56 billion in there was $146 billion of resource The value of minerals and petroleum sales in Western 2012-13, 55% of minerals and projects under construction or Australia fell 4% to $102 billion petroleum sales, despite committed in Western Australia in 2012-13. The Reserve Bank of a 13% rise in sales volumes and a further $97 billion under Australia’s non-rural commodity to 513 million tonnes. (WA consideration. price index fell 8% in 2013, down Department of Mines and 14% in 2012-13. The Australian dollar Petroleum, Minerals and Annual business exchange rate fell 8% to US96.0 Petroleum Summary Tables) investment cents in 2013 and is forecast by the • LNG sales rose 25% to $12.5 Western Australian Treasury to fall billion in 2012-13, making up 12% of minerals and • Business investment in Western from US102.7 cents in 2012-13 to US92.3 cents in 2013-14 and US85.2 petroleum sales, with volumes Australia rose 8.5% in real cents in 2016-17. up 29% to 20 million tonnes. terms in 2012-13, below annual (WA Department of Mines average growth of 17% over and Petroleum, Minerals and the past 10 years. (ABS 5206.0, Iron ore and Petroleum Summary Tables) 5220.0 and 5625.0) LNG prices • Crude oil and condensate • The value of business sales fell 15% to $10 billion in investment rose 9% to $75 • The average price of iron 2012-13, 10% of minerals and billion in 2012-13. (ABS 5206.0, ore fell 6% to US$128 a tonne petroleum sales, with volumes 5220.0 and 5625.0) in January 2014. The annual down 14% to 15 gigalitres. • The value of private new average price rose 5% in (WA Department of Mines capital expenditure of 2013, down 15% in 2012-13, and Petroleum, Minerals and selected industries rose 4% and is expected to rise 1% in Petroleum Summary Tables) to $58 billion in 2012-13; 36% 2013-14. (Western Australia • Gold sales fell 5% to $9 billion 2013-14 Government Mid- in 2012-13, 9% of minerals and of the Australian total. (ABS Year Financial Projections petroleum sales, with volumes 5206.0, 5220.0 and 5625.0) Statement) down 1% to 179 tonnes. (WA • The value of mining new • The average price of LNG fell Department of Mines and capital expenditure rose 7% 0.4% to US$15.6 a million British Petroleum, Minerals and to $48 billion in 2012-13; 51% thermal unit in January 2014. Petroleum Summary Tables) of the Australian mining total. The annual average price (ABS 5206.0, 5220.0 and 5625.0) fell 4% in 2013, down 1.5% in 2012-13, and is expected to Iron ore and LNG sales Quarterly business fall 1.3% in 2014. (World Bank outlook by volume investment Commodities Price Forecasts) • The average price of gold rose • Western Australia’s iron ore 2% to US$1,244 a troy ounce • Business investment in Western sales are forecast to rise 35% in January 2014. The annual to 692 million tonnes between Australia rose 2.6% to $19 billion average price fell 15.5% in 2013 2012-13 and 2016-17. (Western in the September quarter 2013. (down 4% in 2012-13) and is Australia Department of Mines (ABS 5206.0, 8762.0 and 5625.0) expected to fall 14% in 2014. and Petroleum, Minerals • Engineering construction work (World Bank Commodities Price and Petroleum Summary done rose 5.5% to $12 billion in Forecasts) Tables; Western Australia the September quarter 2013 • The average price of crude 2013- 14 Government Mid- or 7% to $44 billion in 2012-13. oil fell 3% to US$95 a barrel Year Financial Projections (ABS 5206.0, 8762.0 and 5625.0) in January 2014. The annual Statement; and Western • Higher input prices contributed average price rose 4% in Australia Department of State 2% of the growth in the value 2013, down 3% in 2012-13, Development.) and is expected to rise 3% in of engineering construction • LNG sales are expected to

FACTSheet 4, March 2014 | 3 FACTSheet #4, March 2014

grow from 20 million tonnes Wales, Victoria and Queensland Major iron ore export in 2012-13 to almost 50 million combined at 40% with large shares tonnes in 2016-17, assuming of national exports to China 70%, markets by volume the Gorgon, Wheatstone and Japan 48% and Korea 47%. China Prelude projects are operating was the largest market for the • Western Australia accounted at full capacity at this time and state’s exports of iron ore 75% and for 42% of global iron ore the North West Shelf maintains gold 60% in 2013 and nickel 37% exports in 2012. (ABS 5368.0 current production levels. and alumina 17% in 2012-13. In and WA Department of Mines • Western Australia accounted volume terms, 73% of the state’s and Petroleum, Resource Data for 40% of proposed iron ore LNG went to Japan, based on long Files) expansions by the top 10 iron and medium term contracts in • The State’s iron ore exports to ore exporting countries in force in 2012. China rose 23% to 425 million 2012 and 25% of global LNG tonnes in 2013, higher than the capacity under construction • Western Australia’s 22% annual average growth in 2013. merchandise exports rose 10% over the past 10 years. (ABS to $125 billion in 2013. 5368.0 and WA Department Principal agricultural • Merchandise export volumes of Mines and Petroleum, rose 9% in 2012-13, above Resource Data Files) • Iron ore exports to Japan commodities annual average growth of 4% rose 4% to 78 million tonnes in the past 10 years. Data for • The gross value of agriculture in 2013. (ABS 5368.0 and WA 2013 are not yet available. production in Western Australia Department of Mines and (ABS 5368.0, 5206.0 and rose 7% to $11.0 billion in 2012- Petroleum, Resource Data 13. (ABS 5220.0, 5368.0 7501.0, 5220.0.) Files) 7503.0, 7111.0 and 7121.0) • Merchandise imports fell 5% • Iron ore exports to Korea fell • The gross value of principal to $34 billion in 2013, mainly 4% to 44 million tonnes in agricultural commodities due to lower imports of 2013. (ABS 5368.0 and WA produced fell 23% to $5.4 civil engineering plant and Department of Mines and billion in 2012-13. (ABS 5220.0, equipment, down $2 billion Petroleum, Resource Data 5368.0 7501.0, 7503.0, 7111.0 or 66% and motor vehicles for Files) and 7121.0) transporting goods, down $1 • China overtook Japan as • Wheat production fell 25% billion or 48%. Western Australia’s largest iron to $2.1 billion in 2012-13, with • Merchandise exports mainly ore export market in 2005. (ABS volumes down 40% to 7 million comprised iron ore 54%, gold 5368.0 and WA Department tonnes. (ABS 5220.0, 5368.0 11%, LNG 9% and crude oil and of Mines and Petroleum, Resource Data Files) 7501.0, 7503.0, 7111.0 and condensate 7% in 2013. 7121.0) • The value of the State’s agriculture, forestry, fishing and Major trading partners Iron ore exports food manufacturing exports 2013 rose 21% to $5.8 billion in 2012- • The value of Western Australia’s 13. (ABS 5220.0, 5368.0 7501.0, • China was Western Australia’s iron ore exports rose 27% to $68 7503.0, 7111.0 and 7121.0) largest export market in 2013 billion in 2013, below annual at $66 billion or 53%, followed average growth of 30% over Please note principal agricultural by Japan $23 billion or 18%. the past 10 years. (ABS 5368.0 commodities includes: potatoes, (ABS 5368.0) and WA Department of Mines tomatoes, cattle and calves, and Petroleum, Resource Data • China overtook Japan as the sheep and lambs, pigs, poultry, Files) State’s largest export market in wool, milk and eggs. • The annual average price of 2006-07. (ABS 5368.0) the State’s iron ore exports • The State’s exports rose to rose 9% in 2013. (ABS 5368.0 Merchandise trade China by 30% or $15.3 billion and WA Department of Mines and Japan by 5% or $1.1 billion and Petroleum, Resource Data In 2012-13, exports of goods and in 2013. (ABS 5368.0) Files) services accounted for 51% of • China was the State’s largest • The volume of the State’s iron GSP. Minerals and petroleum source of imports in 2013, $4.0 ore exports rose 17% to 561 contributed 89% or $104 billion of billion or 12%, followed by million tonnes in 2013, above the state’s merchandise exports. In Singapore at $3.6 billion or 11%. annual average growth of 2013, Western Australia contributed (ABS 5368.0) 12% in the past 10 years. (ABS 48% of Australia’s merchandise 5368.0 and WA Department exports, more than New South of Mines and Petroleum, Resource Data Files)

FACTSheet 4, March 2014 | 4 FACTSheet FACTSheet #4, March 2014 #4, March 2014

Major iron ore 5368.0.55.004) in construction apprentice • The State’s services exports commencements, excluding exporting ports rose 4% to $5.9 billion in 2012- electrical but a significant 13. (ABS 5368.0.55.004) reduction in electrical • Iron ore exports from Port • Services imports rose 4% to apprentice commencements Hedland rose 18% to 263 million $10.0 billion in 2012-13, mainly of 21.12%. (TRS Datacube) tonnes in 2012-13, accounting due to a rise in architectural, • As at October 2013, the for 51% of the state’s iron ore industry including electrical, engineering, scientific and exports. (ABS 5368.0) employed 40% of all Western other technical services • Iron ore exports from Dampier Australia’s apprentices. (Using rose 1% to 140 million tonnes imports. (ABS 5368.0.55.004) comparison to ‘All Industries’ in 2012-13, contributing 27% • The State’s services trade data TRS Cube) of the state’s iron ore exports. deficit rose 4% to $4.1 billion in • It is estimated that (ABS 5368.0) 2012-13. (ABS 5368.0.55.004) approximately 25,000 • Iron ore exports from Cape construction industry Lambert rose 4% to 78 million employees are working on tonnes in 2012-13, contributing Major services exports resource industry infrastructure 15% of the state’s iron ore construction projects. exports. (ABS 5368.0) • Western Australia’s services • The value of residential and • Port authorities and iron ore exports in 2012-13 mainly non-residential construction producers have identified comprised personal travel work, excluding heavy port total capacity expansion 27%, educational travel 20%, engineering, in the year to targets of 465 million tonnes transport 16%, business travel for Port Hedland by 2016-17, 15% and technical, trade and September 2013 increased by 210 million tonnes for Cape other business services 10%. 5.22% compared to September Lambert by 2014-15 and 150 • Personal travel exports rose 2012. The engineering million tonnes for Dampier by 10% to $1.6 billion in 2012-13. construction sector, excluding 2014-15. (ABS 5368.0) Business travel was up 7% to heavy engineering, increased $858 million and technical, by 8.85% in Western Australia LNG exports trade and other business between September 2012 and services was up 8% to $563 September 2013. (ABS 8755.0 million in 2012-13. • The value of Western and 8762.0 Construction & • The largest declines in 2012-13 Engineering Work Done ) Australia’s LNG exports rose were in transport - down 3% or • The housing sector has in 25% to $12.5 billion in 2012-13, $33 million and educational above annual average growth travel - down 1% or $6 million. recent months recovered with of 15% in the past 10 years. annual dwelling unit approvals (WA Department of Mines and to November 2013 at 27,365 Petroleum, Resource Data Construction Industry or 21,780 houses, compared Files.) to a previous peak of 27,181 • The annual average price of or 21,947 houses at November the state’s LNG exports fell • The construction industry 2006. (ABS 8731.05 seasonally 3% in 2012-13, the first annual contributes almost 12% of average price decline since Western Australia’s GSP and Adjusted) 2009-10. (WA Department currently employs 10.57% of the • Seasonally adjusted, building of Mines and Petroleum, State workforce. (Construction approvals for all dwelling units Resource Data Files.) Industry Snapshot, Western increased by 3.96% between • The volume of state’s LNG Australia, January 2014) October and November 2013. exports rose 29% to 20 million • There were 145,730 people There was an 8.97% increase tonnes in 2012-13, above its working in the construction over the three months to annual average growth of 9% industry as at November 2013, November 2013. This was in with an annualised average over the past 10 years. (WA sharp contrast to a decrease of 139,100 in the previous 12 Department of Mines and of 42.71% in April 2012 which Petroleum, Resource Data month period. The industry was partially attributed to Files.) workforce rose by 1,080 in the last quarter and has overtaken changes in the approvals the previous highest figure of process. Services trade 139,200 which was recorded • Trend building approvals in back in May 2011. Western Australia increased by • On a year to year comparison • Western Australia contributed 0.6% between October 2013 up to the end of October 2013 11.3% of Australia’s services and November 2013 and rose there was a 12.5% increase exports in 2012-13. (ABS by 26.7% over the year.

FACTSheet 4, March 2014 | 5 FACTSheet #4, March 2014

• Seasonally adjusted, dwelling of women in trades by the withdraw its Perth to Singapore commencements increased Construction Training Fund. route by May 2014, leaving by 3.95% in the quarter to the city with no regular September 2013; however, Employment of international flights out of the on an annualised basis Aboriginal and Torres city operated by the airline. The withdrawal is part of the compared to September Strait Islanders fallout from a $252 million loss 2012 commencements have for the company announced increased by 37.65%. There are currently 122 Aboriginal in February. (WA Today and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) 27/2/14) Apprentice apprentices in training. Over • A study by Curtin University Commencements the last 10 years the overall shows the mining boom has percentage of ATSI apprentices generated up to 65% more There has been a continuing has risen from 2.69% to 3.46% which wealth for the top 20% of West decline in overall apprentice is representative of the number Australian households. The commencements in construction, of ATSI people in the general report shows the richest 10% of including electrical over the past population. households in WA had around 12 months and this will have a 3.8 times the income of the negative impact on the in-training Currently there are 81 trainees in poorest 10% of households figures over the next 6 to 36 training with an ATSI background in 2003-04. This climbed to months. which represents 13.94% of 4.8 times in 2009-10 before all building and construction falling slightly to 4.5 in 2011- However, construction apprentice trainees. This increase appears to 12. The research showed that commencements, excluding coincide with a concerted effort high income households in electrical, during the year to recruit ATSI people by the civil the state were twice as likely November 2012 to October construction sector. to be headed by a ‘tradie’ 2013 have improved by 12.5% compared to the rest of compared to the same 12 month Australia. And disposable period 2011-2012. These figures Lifestyle incomes in WA have overtaken are used for the construction the national average by 9% • In response to seven people apprentice commencements for over the last five years. (ABC being killed by sharks over 2013 where previous years are the online 26/2/14) the past six years, the State complete calendar year figures. • Perth and are set for Government announced its a surge in hotel developments Overall, commencements $23 million drum line policy to that could potentially see more have declined by 3.89%. The reduce the number of sharks than 4,000 new hotel rooms off the metropolitan and main decline was in electrical worth more than $3 billion built south-west beaches. In the first with a 21.12% reduction in over the next five years. The three weeks, 66 sharks were commencements. Wall and ceiling Australian Hotels Association caught - 23 in the South-West fixing apprentice commencements said that Perth is set to lead and 43 in the metropolitan Australia in the establishment have grown by 29.63%, while area. (Ministerial media release of new hotels, redevelopments bricklaying has risen by 119.26%. 18/2/14) and first rate accommodation • The opening of the pedestrian that will set the scene for the Employment of underpass at Perth Station state’s leisure, corporate and females signalled the final milestone in hospitality market for the next rail project. The 20 years. (AHA WA media There are currently 65 female $360 million project included release 20/2/14) apprentices in training. Over sinking a 600 metre section of • The State Government the last 10 years the overall the Fremantle Line. (Ministerial unveiled plans for a 350-room percentage of female apprentices media statement 19/12/13) five-star Westin Hotel and in construction has risen from 0.85% • Work has begun on the second mixed-use development at to 1.84%. The number of female stage of the Perth City Link the former FESA House site in project - the sinking of the trainees in training is currently 32 Perth’s CBD. (Ministerial media Wellington Street Bus Station. and has risen from 0.77% to 5.55% statement 23/12/13) This is the second stage of over the last 10 years. • The 2014 Perth International the $609 million Perth City Link Arts Festival celebrated its project with work on the $249 Although there is no definitive most successful season with million Perth Busport to start research into the reasons for the attendances totalling 500,000, in coming months. (Ministerial increase, it is suggested that there with about 200,000 of them Media statement 13/2/14) has been increased promotion buying tickets to the tune of a • Qantas announced it will record-setting $6 million. (The

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West Australian 3/3/14) • There are up to 1.5 million and the new ferry terminal. • Fringe World sold more than registered vehicles on our Dredging has started and a 150,000 tickets to its live roads, which is more vehicles section of Riverside Drive was performances through its box than there are people over 18 permanently diverted in late office, for total ticket revenue years of age. (Committee for January. It’s estimated that of $3.2 million. There were an Perth’s Cost of Living media once completed Elizabeth additional 20,000 door sales at release 25/11/13) Quay will create more than venues not directly operated • The State Government has 400 jobs, office space for by Fringe World. This makes deferred building the 22 10,000 people, 800 residential Fringe World the single largest kilometre MAX light from apartments and 25,000sqm of live performance festival in WA Mirrabooka to the city and retail space. (Ministerial media and Australia’s second largest Nedlands to Victoria Park statement 24/1/14) after the Adelaide Fringe. (The until 2017, after the next state • has been ranked West Australian 24/2/14) election. The government No. 22 in the world’s top 200 • Hillarys MP Rob Johnson had previously committed to venues by respected live became the first Liberal to have the project finished by music industry magazine publicly call for the abolition 2018, then 2019. Construction Pollstar. Perth Arena’s music of the Royalties for Regions is expected to commence and entertainment ticket sales program, telling Parliament in 2019, with first services were 479,524 for 2013, the it is unaffordable amid rising running by late 2022. (The West venue’s first full reporting year. State debt and the loss of Australian and MAX light rail (Ministerial media statement WA’s AAA credit rating. Under website) 17/1/14) Royalties for Regions, 25% of • The State Government • An online survey about the State’s mineral royalties are released its draft Noongar the development of the quarantined for expenditure Recognition Bill to Noongar Scarborough Beach front outside Perth. (The West people to settle Native Title received almost 3,000 Australian 20/2/14) settle claims over Perth and submissions. Popular ideas • The Economist Intelligence the South-West of Western include recreational Unit’s (EIU) most recent Australia. The bill offers a equipment and more shops, liveability ranking rated Perth mixture of land, funding and cafes and bars. The planning as the 9th most liveable city other benefits to the Noongar authority for the development in the world with a score of community. (Ministerial media will be transferred from the 95.9. Melbourne was ranked release 26/2/14) City of Stirling to the MRA. the world’s most liveable city • The supply of apartments in the (Ministerial media statement with a score of 97.5. (EIU survey western suburbs will increase 16/1/14) August 2013) rapidly this year with TRG • The Defence Department • Perth house prices jumped by Properties, Georgiou Living and is considering letting airlines 3.3% in the final three months Blackburne Property Group set use RAAF Base Pearce at of 2013 with the city recording to launch new projects over Bullsbrook as an alternative the second highest price the next three months. There airport to Perth to ease increase in the country. The are 10 construction projects midweek congestion. Perth Australian Bureau of Statistics planned for the western Airport is overstretched with reported that over the past 12 suburbs which will add almost almost 70% of its landing months, house prices in Perth 900 apartments to the market. slots filled. For the six months climbed by 8.7 per cent. (The (Business News 28/2/14) to December 31 last year, West Australian 11/2/14) • Sunset Events has been passenger numbers through • REIWA has predicted that given approval by the City Perth increased 2% to 7.12 Perth’s median house price will of Fremantle to develop the million, with a record 400,290 reach $600,000 by the end of J-Shed at Arthur Head into a using the international terminal 2014. It would give Perth the concert venue. Sunset Events in December. (The West second-highest median house has a 21 year lease and will Australian 4/2/14) price for an Australian city establish a craft brewery and • The State Government – behind Sydney’s $655,000. food outlets, with a strong announced a $7.5 million, REIWA raised their 2014 home emphasis on music and arts two year, trial program to price expectations from a related activities. (Business encourage local governments previous estimate of $570,000. News 28/2/14) to adopt a three-bin system. (Perth Now 15/2/14) • Work continues on Elizabeth The three bins would be for • Only 3% of Western Australian Quay with the release of general household waste, women earn $2000 a week the design for the 110 metre recyclables and green waste. or more, compared to 15% of pedestrian bridge that will link (Ministerial media statement Western Australian men. (The between the cafes and bars 15/1/14) Sunday Times 9/3/14) on the promenades, the island • The 270-page independent

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review of the Liquor Control ‘congestion charge’ would developed a strategy to Act 1988 was finalised and probably needed to be transform the State heritage- presented to the State considered sometime in the listed former Sunset Hospital Government for consideration future to ease Perth’s growing site in Dalkeith, into a unique and response. A range of traffic congestion. (The West Government owned asset for stakeholders including the Australian 6/8/13) arts, cultural and community Committee for Perth, industry • The State Government has use over the next 10-15 years. groups and the public made announced $2 million to create (Ministerial media statement 149 submissions during the a more vibrant Chinatown 31/10/13) review period and the final precinct for families, locals and • The $95 million dollar document contains 141 tourists. A new entry statement redevelopment of nib recommendations. (Ministerial to Chinatown on Roe Street Stadium was completed. media statement 14/1/14) in Northbridge will include The Canterbury Bulldogs and • The State Government has lanterns, new lighting and road South Sydney Rabbitohs have confirmed that the $2 billion stencilling. (Ministerial media both confirmed they will play Fiona Stanley Hospital will statement 24/11/13) an NRL fixture at nib this year. have a phased opening from • Perth’s CBD office vacancy (Ministerial media statement October 2014. (Ministerial rate has jumped sharply higher 25/10/13) media statement 10/6/13) to 10.8% according to research • 100 iconic London style cabs • Leighton Properties and by Jones Lang LaSalle. This was are being trialled on Perth’s Mirvac Group have been caused by many businesses road as part of the Taxi Action chosen to develop the State reducing their demand for Plan which aimed to improve Government’s 5.1ha land office space at a time when the security, standards and holding, 40% of the Peth City there was a small increase in availability of Perth taxis. Link project. The development supply. The CBD vacancy rate The cabs can carry five site will incorporate new hotels, is up from 7.9% in June 2013 passengers, a wheelchair and offices, shops, cafes, bars and and 9.4% in September 2013. have a number of accessibility apartments, as well as new The national vacancy rate features, including induction public spaces. (Ministerial average is 11.8%. (Business hearing loop, high-visibility media statement 15/12/13) News 22/1/14) markers for the visually • Three consortia, have • The City of Melville and the impaired and a swivel seat for submitted their fully costed City of Fremantle will remain passengers with mobility issues. and comprehensive proposals separate identities with (WA Today 28/2/14) for the new and expanded boundaries, most • The Swan River Trust was sports precinct. Each proposal of Mount Lawley will stay amalgamated with the new to design, construct, partially within the City of Stirling, and Department of Parks and finance and maintain the North Fremantle will remain Wildlife. The Environment stadium and precinct will be part of Fremantle under Minister said it was done to evaluated with the successful the State Government’s provide better protection and design to be announced boundary reform proposals management for the Swan mid-2014. (Ministerial media formally lodged with the and Canning river systems. statement 13/12/13) Local Government Advisory (Ministerial media statement • The Department of Transport Board. The proposals, which 26/9/13) has begun work on a 56 year incorporate feedback • The State Government strategy for Perth that includes received from the community announced changes to its another bridge across the and local governments, First Home Owner Grant with Swan River and probably also show the northern part buyers of new homes eligible another tunnel. Suggested links of the City of Cockburn to receive an increased grant include: a bridge from UWA included in Fremantle and of $10,000. It was previously to Canning Bridge, possibly Melville, the high-growth $7,000. Buyers of established just for rail: a link from Berwick northern part of the Shire of homes are eligible for a $3,000 Street to Plain Street for public Serpentine-Jarrahdale joining grant. The government said transport; a link from Stock the City of Armadale, and the changes were designed Road to Dalkeith, possibly a the southern part joining the to boost housing supply and tunnel. (The West Australian Shire of Murray. The Local construction jobs. (Ministerial 6/8/13) Government Advisory Board media statement 25/9/13) • In a keynote speech to the has until mid-year to present • The State Government signed Institute of Traffic Planning and their recommendations to a $7.65 million marketing deal Management conference the Minister on local authority with Qantas. The three year in Perth, Department of boundaries. (Ministerial media agreement between Tourism Transport Director General statement 12/11/13) WA and Qantas was one of Reece Waldock said that a • The State Government has the biggest airline partnerships

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in WA’s history. Under the and retail space for more Funds focus on addressing agreement, Qantas will join than 1,500 workers, 600 issues that have an impact on the State in jointly promoting residential apartments, and the health of West Australians WA tourism, matching State there are plans for short stay including determining the risk Government marketing accommodation. (Ministerial of lung cancer among West funding dollar for dollar. media statement 5/2/13) Australian miners and a study (Ministerial media statement • Construction continues on that compares the long-term 11/9/13) the $18.6 million dollar State health outcomes of naltrexone • A record number of people Netball Centre, which will implants with other therapies. took part in the Chevron 2013 be built at Matthews Netball (Ministerial media statement City to Surf, with more than Centre in Jolimont. The centre 1/11/13) 48,000 people registering to will provide a venue for state • Nedlands-based Linear Clinical compete. Starting in 1975 league netball competition, Research was awarded top with around 500 runners, it is West Coast Fever training, honours at the 2013 Western the second largest officially development squads and Australian Industry and Export timed race in the southern community netball activities. Awards, becoming the first hemisphere and Western It is expected to be open healthcare and biotechnology Australia’s biggest community in the third quarter of 2014. entrant to win the Premier’s sporting event. (Ministerial (Ministerial media statement Award for Excellence. The media statement 24/8/13) 30/7/13) company provides world- • The new Perth Stadium will class services to prominent feature two screens at least biopharmaceutical firms at 20x12m in size and about 1,000 Knowledge and its purpose-built, state-of-the television screens to ensure innovation art facility within the Queen fans do not miss any of the Elizabeth II Medical Centre. action on field. The television • Premier Colin Barnett (Ministerial media statement screens will be spread signed a Memorandum of 28/10/13) throughout the concourse to Understanding between • WA’s Nobel Laureate Barry ensure fans stay in touch with the Government of Western Marshall and his biotechnology games, even if they leave their Australia and the Common firm Ondek are using a grant seats. Radio commentary will Market for Eastern and of almost $1 million to develop be played into the stadium’s Southern Africa (COMESA), a pill or drink that could toilet facilities. (Ministerial a regional economic revolutionise the treatment of media statement 23/8/13) organisation with member allergies. • Brownes Stadium at Lathlain states including Zambia, Kenya • The State Government Park has emerged as the and Uganda. The objectives announced funding of frontrunner as the favoured include sharing knowledge $26million over six years for the site for the West Coast Eagles and technology between International Centre of Radio next training facility. The Western Australia and the Astronomy Research (ICRAR). Eagles and Town of Victoria COMESA states across the ICRAR will lead Western Park are working towards an fields of mining, petroleum and Australia’s involvement in the agreement. It’s likely the Eagles agriculture. (Ministerial media Square Kilometre Array (SKA) statement 2/2/14) will be in their new premises by project, one of the world’s 2017, a year before the new • In November, the Premier biggest and most significant Burswood stadium is complete. launched operations at the scientific projects. ICRAR Perth Football Club is expected Pawsey Centre in Kensington, to be accommodated as home to one of the largest was an important factor in part of any redevelopment supercomputers in the world. Australia’s successful bid to co- of Brownes Stadium. Sites The supercomputer is capable host the SKA with South Africa. at Curtin University and the of performing a million billion (Ministerial media statement University of Western Australia calculations simultaneously 16/8/13) were other possibilities. (The every second, and is already • After a three year-trial the West Australian 30/7/13) processing data from the State Government will adopt • The Metropolitan Murchison Widefield Array, the groundwater replenishment Redevelopment Authority low frequency precursor to the to help secure Perth’s drinking Square Kilometre Array (SKA) reached a milestone water supply. The scheme agreement with Lend Lease telescope. (Ministerial media uses advanced treatment for the $1 billion Waterbank statement 15/11/13) precinct in East Perth. • Nine projects have been processes to turn household Construction is expected given $1.7 million in research and industry wastewater into to begin in late 2014 and grants. The Department of drinking water. The wastewater Waterbank will deliver office Health Targeted Research is purified before it is re-

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injected into natural aquifers, location for their headquarters Voon-Li Chung has created an mixing with groundwater and with 34% or 830 companies in application that turns smart undergoing natural filtration for Perth as of September 2011. phones into talking guides for up to three decades before By comparison, Sydney only the blind, enabling them to extraction. The technology has 552 and Melbourne 325. safely navigate their way on has the potential to supply Among those companies and off public transport. (ABC 20% of Perth’s drinking water. are some major international online 14/2/14) Groundwater replenishment players like Rio Tinto, BHP • Manufacturing giant Hitachi is less expensive and uses Billiton, Chevron Australia, will establish a new $100 million about half the energy of a Shell Australia and Woodside. facility at Forrestdale Business desalination plant. (Ministerial (Committee for Perth FACTBase Park. Hitachi Construction media statement 1/8/13) Bulletin No. 28) Machinery Australia’s new • The State Government has • Initial funding of $340,000 headquarters will bring 350 announced health and has been provided by employees to the area. medical research would be the Department of Mines Forrestdale Business Park is boosted by $30million over and Petroleum and its 10 expected to accommodate four years. The grants of $2.4 contributing project partners, up to 700 industrial lots, with million each to the McCusker to help set up the Western the potential to become home Alzheimer’s Foundation, Australian Biodiversity Science to more than 12,000 workers. Australian Neuro-muscular Institute by mid-2014. The Over the past 12 months the Research Institute and Ear institute will place WA at the MRA has approved more than Science Institute Australia to forefront of global scientific 170 planning applications for go towards the construction endeavour – bringing together the Armadale and Wungong and fit-out of the new Institute. the State’s biodiversity experts, redevelopment areas totalling (Ministerial media statement and ensuring the research more than $70 million in private 15/8/13) focuses on issues that matter. sector investment. (Ministerial • Out of all of the companies (Dept of Mines and Petroleum media statement 15/8/13) listed in Australia, Perth ranked 31/10/13) highest as the preferred • Perth software designer

Acknowledgments Committee for Perth

We acknowledge the assistance of the Department of State Development in compiling this FACT sheet. Copyright

This paper is the copyright of The University of Western Australia and the Committee for Perth. While we encourage its use, it should be referenced as:

2014 Key Facts About Perth & Western Australia, FACT Sheet No. 4, The University of Western Australia and Committee for Perth, Perth.

Contacts

For further information on the FACTBase project contact: Marion Fulker, CEO, Committee for Perth 0419 048 665 or [email protected]

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