IN YOUR REGION Edition 11 - 2014 Historic Signing of the Ord The signing of the Ord Development testament to the progress that can be The signing of the Agreement Agreement between the State achieved when government, the private effectively doubles the Ord Irrigation Government and Kimberley Agricultural sector and traditional owners work Scheme by unlocking thousands of Investment (KAI) on Friday 6 December together. hectares of land in the Kimberley for at Parliament House represented a agricultural use. significant milestone in the Ord-East “Through the Royalties for Regions Witnessing this historic agreement Kimberley Expansion project. program, the State Government has invested a significant amount of funding were Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation Department of Regional Development into this project and it is heartening to Traditional Owner Edna O’Malley and Director General Paul Rosair said the see the results coming to fruition,” said Chief Executive Officer John Hughes. signing of the Agreement was Mr Rosair. Under the agreement, KAI is required to construct on-farm infrastructure and develop and crop farmland to secure a 50-year lease over 7,400 hectares of Gooming land. As a result of the negotiations between the State Government and KAI, regional Western Australia will benefit from the biggest agricultural development in the Kimberley region in more than forty years. Photo L- R : Paul Rosair, Edna O’Malley - Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation, Premier Hon Colin Barnett and Gail McGowan - Department of State Development. DG Message 2014 represents a time of change at the further strengthen regional economic Department of Regional Development. development. I would first like to welcome our new Economic diversity is essential to the minister, Hon Terry Redman MLA, development of regional Western Minister for Regional Development; Australia. DRD will encourage Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister and support innovative enterprise for State Development. He has a opportunities throughout the state, reputation as a strong advocate for as well as tourism, creative arts, regional Western Australia and brings a aquaculture and alternative energy. wealth of Ministerial experience to his New opportunities exist in strategic new portfolio. agriculture in the Ord-East Kimberley, through the proximity to Asian markets, I would also like to take this increasing skills, infrastructure, opportunity to thank Andrew Murray, attracting investment and supporting inaugural Chair of the Western I have every assurance that DRD’s industry development. Australian Regional Development leadership team will be up to the task Trust. He has stepped down to focus As always, I am impressed with the of facing whatever new challenges on his role as Royal Commissioner on number of projects, initiatives and that arise for the regions and working the Royal Commission into Institutional developments that are taking place with others to capitalise on their many Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. throughout the State as a result of opportunities. I am confident that I am His oversight of the Royalties for Royalties for Regions funding, a few leaving the Department, and regional Regions program and his experience, of which have been highlighted in this development in Western Australia, in knowledge and personal contribution edition of In Your Region. I encourage very safe hands. to the development of regional Western you to visit our website to find out Australia has been exemplary. Andrew more. Murray has been replaced by Sue Lastly, and after much consideration, I Middleton, who was the inaugural have decided that this is an appropriate deputy chair of the Trust. She brings time to step down as Director General. to the role a wealth of regional and I have been in this role since 2009, and community development experience, serving DRD has been a great personal and strategic planning skills. Tim honour. I have been fortunate to lead a Shanahan becomes the Trust’s Deputy great team of dedicated professionals Chair while Ralph Addis, Chair of the committed to developing regional Kimberley Development Commission, Western Australia, and together, joins the Trust as the representative of Paul Rosair, this team has delivered a number of the regional development commissions. Director General ground-breaking programs, including Peter Rundle, Chair of the Great Royalties for Regions, Pilbara Cities, Southern Regional Development Ord East Kimberley Expansion and Commission, remains on the Trust. SuperTowns, to name just four of these. In addition to our continued Every day has been a privilege and I am commitment to the development of proud to have played a part in DRD’s communities and infrastructure, we record of very solid achievement. will be developing new initiatives to Page | 2 Killara Adult Day Care and Respite Centre upgrades completed private bedroom, and provided care The Avon Regional Organisation of with dignity and respect,” said Killara Councils (AROC) agreed to provide Manager Nicole Hampton. funding to the project through the CLGF Regional allocations. The AROC “We are able to tailor our services to group comprises the local authorities individual needs, provide comfortable of Chittering, Dowerin, Goomalling, and tasteful facilities, which is very Northam, Toodyay and Victoria Plains. reassuring to a carer who has entrusted Lotterywest was also a funding partner. their loved one to us for a short period Carers in Northam can now access of respite,” added Ms Hampton. “The Killara Respite Project is one of the enhanced respite services after the Shire “Our aim is to be able to offer short first collaborations for the AROC and of Northam completed upgrades to periods of respite to families within provides a great example of Councils the Killara Adult Day Care and Respite the Wheatbelt which will ultimately recognising the needs of the entire Centre. allow aging residents to remain in region,” said Shire of Northam President Royalties for Regions funding of $3.1 their communities, where they feel Steven Pollard. million enabled the Shire to construct secure and independent for as long as two new eight bed purpose built possible,” said Ms Hampton. “The new design will also allow the buildings at the existing Killara site Shire to operate the facility in a manner The upgrade of the existing Killara that enables quick reconfiguration and including fit-out with furniture and Centre is in the final stages and will equipment. access to crisis accommodation in the be used for providing day care. The event of a disaster or emergency in the The new buildings will be used for short building has historically been used for region,” Cr Pollard added. term quality accommodation for aged this. However as demand for overnight clients while providing a much needed accommodation grew, the building break for their loved ones and carers. was modified. The new buildings will provide a modern facility for the “These cottages enable the Shire of overnight care of clients allowing the Northam to provide much needed existing building to be returned to its respite; our regular guests are delighted original purpose. that they have their own on-suite and Photo Credit : Shire of Northam Page | 3 Gourmet Escape set to star “Australia’s - and the world’s - best chefs, food writers and gourmands descend on Margaret River to celebrate the region’s fine craft beers, wines and artisan produce.” With reviews like this from the Lonely Planet’s ‘Greatest Australian attractions’ and the title of ‘Best Regional Event: WA’ from the Australian Event Awards, it is no surprise that the Margaret River Gourmet Escape continues to grow in size and success. The Margaret River Gourmet Escape is a celebration of the state’s fresh produce, gourmet delicacies, world-class wines Alex Atala, Sat Bains, Shane Osborn, Photo Credit : Margaret River Gourmet Escape and laidback lifestyle. Neil Perry, Tetsuya Wakuda and Adriano Zumbo. This festival program includes satellite The Department of Regional events such as indulgent long lunches, Tourism WA Eventscorp Executive Development supports the Margaret a pop up beach BBQ restaurant, Director Gywn Dolphin said last year’s River Gourmet Escape through exclusive dinners, wine tastings, Margaret River Gourmet Escape festival Eventscorp’s Regional Events Program, masterclasses and much more, all was an outstanding success. which is funded by Royalties for showcasing the Margaret River Wine Regions. Region and Western Australia as a “The Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate world-class food and wine destination. Winery attracted nearly 10,000 patrons Regional Investment Executive Director and many of the satellite events held Andrew Mann said events such as An outstanding line-up of celebrities throughout the region were sold out,” Margaret River Gourmet Escape are vital partake in the festival every year, many said Mr Dolphin. for regional communities because they of whom return in consecutive years. not only add vibrancy to a community “The four-day event also attracted In 2013, the world’s most recognisable but they also attract visitors and help significant local, national and chef, Heston Blumenthal, was the star stimulate the local economy. of the festival, along with Rick Stein, international media coverage which gave the Margaret River Wine “Western Australians know that the Region and the entire state, a food and wine we produce is among huge profile boost. the best you will find anywhere in the world and now, through Margaret River “Gourmet Escape has instantly Gourmet Escape, we’re showcasing it become one of Australia’s to chefs and foodies from around the premier food and wine events globe,” Mr Mann said. and we confidently expect it to develop into one of the best in the Asia-Pacific Region in the next few years.” Photo Credit : Margaret River Gourmet Escape Page | 4 Wharncliffe Mill Bush Retreat redevelopment a boost for eco-tourism in Margaret River Eco-tourism in the Margaret River Once a pine mill and then a budget meeting place, with cultural learning region received a boost with the accommodation and camping facility, experiences presented by Aboriginal opening of the redeveloped Wharncliffe the upgraded Wharncliffe Mill Bush guides.