ISSUE 23 Minister invites Waterfront investors Albany foreshore lots available

Albany’s foreshore transformation is a step Albany, the Albany Port Authority and the visited the $170 million Albany Health closer to completion with the opening of Great Southern Development Commission Campus project to inspect progress on the the $42 million Albany Waterfront project by along with a community reference group and construction of the State’s biggest public Regional Development and Lands Minister the communities of Albany and the wider country hospital development. Brendon Grylls on Thursday 14 July. Great Southern,” Mr Grylls said. He said he was pleased to fi nd the project At the start of a busy day in Albany, Mr Grylls “Combined with the new $70 million Albany was solidly on track and described it as an formally handed over Landcorp’s ownership Entertainment Centre and the adjoining important development for the region. of the marina to the Department of Transport ANZAC Peace Park, this area provides an and the management of the public open exciting and vibrant location for locals and At a business luncheon, Mr Grylls urged spaces to the City of Albany. visitors,” Mr Grylls said. the Albany community to take a positive and fl exible approach to gaining investment Mr Grylls lauded the collaboration between Adding a sales pitch to the offi cial opening, at the Waterfront and for the Esplanade State Government agencies and local groups Mr Grylls invited investors to consider the Hotel site, negotiating with developers to as the Waterfront project developed. prospects of the commercial lots now for sale ensure reasonable investment returns were at the Waterfront. possible. “The development of the Waterfront has been achieved with input from the City of Following the Waterfront opening, Mr Grylls • More Page 2 Job well done Project opening rewards years of work

Albany Waterfront project manager Jon Bettink is almost ready to move on from the focus of his attention for most of the past inside this issue: decade. Katanning hosts Cabinet ...... 2 Mr Bettink, a Landcorp employee working Saleyards soil turned ...... 3 through the offi ce of the Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC), took Town centre improvement ...... 3 the Albany Waterfront project from concept design to completion. Skilled migrant information ...... 4

A couple of fi nishing touches remain Sciences building starts ...... 4 before he moves to Mandurah to pursue a NRM Medal contenders ...... 4 consultancy role. Royalties projects tour ...... 5 GSDC Chief Executive Bruce Manning said Albany owed Mr Bettink a great deal for his Teacher shows the way ...... 5 personable and professional approach to his Wineries tempt China ...... 6 work at the Waterfront. Photos draw attention ...... 6 “Jon has made a major contribution to Albany Landcorp’s Waterfront project manager Jon at the Waterfront, and to the wider region Bettink looks over the marina. Projects build region ...... 7 through other projects,” Mr Manning said. project management, and I thank him on Bike trail section open ...... 8 “Anyone who has dealt with Jon would testify behalf of Albany and the Great Southern.” to his good humour and approachability while delivering effi cient and professional Contact: Bruce Manning ph. 9842 4888 Katanning hosts State leaders

State Cabinet hears of regional issues

Katanning hosted Western Australia’s Wagin MLA Terry Waldron, Katanning’s At a community luncheon, guests were political leaders for two days in July when diverse cultural make-up was on show in a invited to raise questions for immediate Premier Colin Barnett and Ministers visited fashion parade presenting national dress response from the relevant Minister. for a regional Cabinet meeting. from 13 cultural backgrounds. Ministers later visited various facilities in Local community members got the chance On Monday 4 July, the Premier and Cabinet the town and Health Minister Kim Hames to make appointments for individual took advice on local and regional issues confi rmed details of the Southern Inland meetings with Ministers on Sunday 3 July. from the Shire of Katanning and the GSDC Health Initiative, which includes a $35.4 before conducting the formal Cabinet million upgrade to the Katanning District At a sundowner that evening, hosted by meeting. Hospital.

Left: Premier Colin Barnett led a question-and-answer session at a community luncheon following the Katanning Cabinet meeting.

Below: Fashions from 13 cultures represented in Katanning were presented at a sundowner held for the Premier and ministers.

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GSDC Chair Peter Rundle (left) with Premier Colin Barnett and Katanning Councillor Alep Mydie.

Right: Katanning resident Mukunde Shabani shows the colourful dress of her Congo homeland.

Left: Locals Peter Kerin (left) and Bronte Rundle had a chat with Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls.

Minister invites Waterfront investors

• From Page 1 authorities but will take a renewed State- The Government’s response to the He took questions from the fl oor and wide focus on setting strategic directions, development commissions review is outlined his response to the review of policy prioritisation and common available through a link at www.rdl.wa.gov. the State’s nine Regional Development strategies. The RDCs will be asked to work au/RDCreport Commissions (RDCs), including the GSDC. closely with the WA Planning Commission to produce detailed blueprints to identify He said the RDCs will remain as statutory service gaps and investment opportunities. Contact: Bruce Manning ph. 9842 4888 Shovels in action at saleyards site

New trading complex to replace ageing facility

Katanning’s new saleyards project offi cially kicked off at the start of July when Premier Colin Barnett turned the fi rst shovel of dirt.

Mr Barnett shared the shovelling duties at the saleyards site with Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman, Wagin MLA Terry Waldron and Katanning Shire President Richard Kowald.

The new saleyards will be built a few kilometres out of Katanning’s town centre, allowing the town to decommission the Caption centrally located yards that were fi rst developed in 1922.

Katanning has long sought support for the relocation of the yards, which are subject to problems with waste water processing and transport access.

The Shire of Katanning has received Premier Colin Barnett (left) and Ministers Terry Redman and Terry Waldron, along with assistance from the GSDC to build the Katanning Shire President Richard Kowald, break the ground to launch the construction of the case for the new site. new Katanning saleyards.

In this year’s Budget, the State Government expected to be traded through the new excess will be diverted to reticulation allocated $17 million to the $21.5 million saleyards when they open in 2013. needs in Katanning. saleyards project, which will provide up- to-date facilities for the region’s sheep The project site covers 10 hectares and Waste water will be contained on-site and 3 trading. includes 2.7 hectares of roofi ng over the recycled for use at the yards. yards. Rainwater from the roof catchment More than a million sheep a year are will be used at the saleyards and any Contact: Bruce Manning ph. 9842 4888

New look for town centres

Great Southern program enhances streetscapes

A million-dollar program to enhance upgrade townscapes by providing better Short Street to deliver underground power townscapes in the Great Southern is now landscaping, roads, paths, gardens, and provide footpaths, better parking and under way and every local government lighting and signs. new street furniture. area in the region will benefi t. Denmark gained funding to upgrade the The TCEP provides up to 50 per cent of The Great Southern Town Centre Strickland Street area north of South Coast design costs up to a maximum grant of Enhancement Program (TCEP) was Highway, establishing caravan and trailer $30,000 and/or up to 50 per cent of the announced by Regional Development and parking bays and improving pedestrian cost of on-site works up to a maximum Lands Minister Brendon Grylls in February access by providing dual-use paths. grant of $150,000 and drew applications from the Great Southern’s eleven local governments. Jerramungup will beautify its town entry, A full list of the projects funded under the create a new community park and continue program is available at www.gsdc.wa.gov. TCEP grants are unique to the Great streetscape improvements. au. Southern and provide a means for local governments in the region to Mount Barker will undertake a project in Contact: Christine Grogan ph. 9842 4888 Forum outlines migrant employment

Skilled migration program in focus

Employers caught up on the latest developments in hiring workers from overseas when the GSDC and the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a migration forum recently.

Representatives from Federal and State Government agencies attended the forum to explain current practices.

Regional Outreach Offi cer Steve Lanyi, from the Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship outlined the skilled migration program and the agency’s focus on securing permanent residents in regional areas.

WA Department of Training and Workforce Development representative Paul Gale gave an overview of the Skilling WA The skilled migration forum was addressed by agency representatives Russell Pritchard (GSDC, left), Steve Lanyi (Deparment of Immigration and Citizenship) and Paul Gale (WA Department of Training and strategy. Workforce Development).

The GSDC is a regional certifying body for workers cannot be found within the general immigration issues but enquiries the skilled migration sponsorship program, Australian workforce. about hiring skilled workers are welcome. which is aimed at helping employers fi ll particular vacancies when suitably skilled The GSDC service does not address Contact: Linsey McFarlane ph. 9842 4888

4 Support for science studies

Better facilities for students, researchers

Contractors Emco Building have started Royalties for Regions funding of $1.5 The building, designed to complement civil works on the $6 million sciences million over three years through the Great the historic Old Post Offi ce and to fi t centre next to the University of Western Southern Regional Grants Scheme. unobtrusively on the steep site, will also Australia Albany Centre at the Old Post house the Centre of Excellence in Natural Offi ce in Stirling Terrace, Albany. Tertiary education in the Great Southern Resource Management and the Rural will be enhanced by the centre’s provision Clinical School of WA. The sciences centre project, due for of extra classrooms, laboratories and completion in 2012, is supported by scientifi c equipment. Contact: Duane Schouten ph. 9842 4888 Judging starts for tenth NRM medal

Winner to be announced in August

Three fi nalists are under consideration for announce the winner at a gala dinner to be Mr Marshall had been battling a serious the 2011 GSDC Medal for Excellence in held at the Albany Entertainment Centre illness, and passed away after the short- Natural Resource Management. on August 18. listing of nominees. A family member will represent Mr Marshall in the assessment This year marks the tenth award of the The three fi nalists are WOW Wilderness process. medal, which carries a $10,000 grant to proprietor Gary Muir, weed expert John further the winner’s NRM work. Agriculture Moore and the late Andrew Marshall, a Contact: Jessica van der Waag and Food Minister Terry Redman will former catchment group leader. Ph. 9821 3211 Regional overview of Royalties projects

Regional Development Trust Chair inspects developments

Western Australian Regional Development “I’ve been impressed by what has been Trust Chair Andrew Murray toured the done with community resource centres Great Southern over two days in June to in WA, and the Mount Barker Community hear about major infrastructure proposals Resource Centre is a superb facility that will and to inspect projects funded through provide an impressive array of services to Royalties for Regions. the town.

The Trust is a statutory body providing “Often sheer persistence is needed to advice to Regional Development and realise many projects, and I’m glad the Lands Minister Brendon Grylls on the years of dedicated work put in by a small management of the Royalties for Regions volunteer group will result in an excellent Fund. tourist railway attraction for Kojonup.

Mr Murray, a Rhodes Scholar and former “Similarly, after years of advocacy, Walpole Senator for Western Australia, gained an is building seniors’ accommodation, overview of the benefi ts that the Great providing facilities that will help to maintain Southern Regional Grants Scheme had family ties to the area and strengthen the brought across the region. Regional Development Trust Chair Andrew overall viability of the community, which is Murray (left) is briefed on the Floracopia the intention of the Royalties for Regions project at Whale World by landscaping In a tight itinerary, he visited projects consultant Jack Mercer. programs,” Mr Murray said. funded through the GSDC in Walpole, Denmark, Albany, Mt Barker, Kendenup, “I was pleased to be able to visit a signifi cant Mr Murray took the opportunity to canvass Katanning and Kojonup. He said the portion of the Great Southern and see the opinions from community leaders, and projects aligned with the values of the projects under way, and I was briefed on heard a range of concerns about the Royalties for Regions initiative, and many the work taking place in areas beyond my provision of energy, water and other showed strong community involvement tour,” Mr Murray said. “Initiatives such as infrastructure in the region. and were backed by inspiring long-term Floracopia at Whale World surprised me visions. with their scope and vision. Contact: Bruce Manning ph. 9842 4888 5 Katanning teacher shows the way

National recognition for school engagement programs

Katanning teacher Andrea The Senior School difference and she was thrilled to be Rundle has been named Engagement Program recognised by the award. one of Australia’s top ten focuses on gaining teachers in the National employment and life “Our programs are practical and our Excellence in Teaching skills and enables students’ life skills and employability skills Awards, presented in June. students to complete are increased,” Mrs Rundle said. Certifi cates 1 and 2 in Mrs Rundle, wife of GSDC horticulture through the “Everything they learn is related to Chair Peter Rundle, Great Southern Institute everyday life, so that maths, for example, teaches at Katanning of Technology (GSIT). is related to money, wages or cooking. Senior High School (KSHS) and was honoured for her Students involved in “Some of our students are achieving the initiative in setting up the the program use the same as students in mainstream classes school’s Access Program GSIT greenhouse and and one has gone on to university,” Mrs and a Senior School surrounding land to grow Rundle said. Andrea Rundle Enhancement Program. vegetables, and they built and operate their own pizza oven. KSHS has achieved a 100 per cent Both programs use practical activities to graduation rate for the past eight years, help re-engage students who fi nd it diffi cult Mrs Rundle said it had been a privilege including students involved in Mrs to fi t into mainstream education settings. to be given the opportunity to make a Rundle’s programs. Great Southern producers tempt China

Wine and produce on show in world’s biggest market

An excursion to the fastest- regional food including growing consumer market in Albany Oysters, Eden Gate the world was rated a success blueberries, Elixir Honey, by participants in the GSDC- and Frankland Estate and coordinated Two City Tour of Genovese olive oils. China in late June. Ms Reed said the key was Export development offi cer Liz to engage with the market Reed helped a group of Albany by having a presence and producers promote their goods building prestige associated in Shanghai and Beijing. with a brand.

Wineries Alkoomi, Eastwell “The opportunities in China Estate, Forest Hill, West Cape are unlimited,” Ms Reed said. Howe and Xabregas presented Two City Tour participants took time out from their promotional work their wines to more than 300 for a look at the Great Wall of China. “This program has positioned delegates in tutored tastings the Great Southern to continue of principal varieties followed by trade education tool that would help to expand developing strategic relationships and tastings of each winery’s range. the Chinese understanding of wine alliances. Several visits to the Great styles and conventions. Southern from Chinese businesses are The Great Southern Virtual Wine Tasting now scheduled for the end of the year.” DVD was screened at the events and Promotion of the region’s wines was was enthusiastically received as a wine complemented by information about Contact: Elizabeth Reed ph. 9842 4888 Top photos in demand 6 Photographers gain publication opportunities

Photographs entered in the GSDC was won by Julie Holland, with a Digital Photography Competition dramatic picture of a surfboat are helping to promote the Great cutting through a wave, and Jaana Southern, providing publication Wilson won fourth prize, $60 and opportunities for the competition a $100 ACH print voucher, with a entrants. well-composed photo of a frog.

Since prizes were awarded for Albany Gateway hosted the the 2011 winners in April, the competition and sponsored two GSDC has received requests $50 popular vote prizes, won by from charities and commercial Robert Davies’ photo of a sunset interests for photos to depict and at the wind farm, and Jolene promote the region, and various Lawler with a photo of a blue photo competition entrants have wren. had the opportunity to offer their photos for publication. Ricky and Bill Sand Jump Bremer, Ed Nelson’s winning Five entrants shared eight photograph in the 2011 GSDC digital photography competition. encouragement awards of $30 Albany caravan park proprietor and keen He won $400 from the Great Southern each from the GSDC: Tanya Barber, Ricci photographer Ed Nelson won fi rst prize in Development Commission (GSDC) and a Draper, Debbie Cristinelli, Mary Leonhardt the 2011 photo competition, on the theme $149 canvas print from Albany Camera and Jessica Vermeulen. Great Southern Life. House (ACH). The winning photos are displayed on Mr Nelson photographed his sons Ricky Jamie Kiddle won second prize, of $200 the Albany Gateway website in the Great and Bill leaping from the top of a sand and a framed ACH print, for his photo of Southern Life gallery. dune at Bremer Bay, resulting in a dynamic a diver and a colourful cuttlefi sh. Third and striking photograph. prize, $100 and a $100 ACH print voucher, Contact Steve Pontin ph. 9842 4888 Projects building the region

Royalties funding backs community initiatives

Royalties for Regions funding is at the core and bathroom facilities, so they can enjoy of a range of new facilities in the Great a self-suffi cient holiday. Southern. South West MLC Robyn McSweeney Friendship House is an established venue launched the Friendship House extension providing respite holidays to disadvantaged project in May. It is a Rotary Club of Albany people and people with disabilities, and is East initiative, supported by the RGS, being extended with the help of $85,000 Lotterywest and the Jack Family Charitable of Regional Grants Scheme (RGS) funding Trust. through the GSDC. King River Recreational Club recently The Emu Point property will soon include celebrated the opening by South West MLC a purpose-built two-bedroom unit Colin Holt of a new sensory playground, a fully equipped for disability care and $64,000 project aided by $38,000 of RGS independent living. funding through the GSDC. Premier Colin Barnett offi cially opened the The $300,000 unit will be equipped with Children using the playground are Yougenup Centre in Gnowangerup in July. a self-operated hoist enabling wheelchair encouraged to develop their senses of users to independently access the toilet touch, smell, sight and hearing just by playing amongst features that include aromatic plants, musical installations and a variety of natural materials.

The sensory playground was established as a demonstration model that would help other play groups in the Great Southern to understand the advantages of stimulating play environments for children under four years old. 7 South West MLC Colin Holt at the King River In Kojonup, community members and Sensory Playground, opened in May. school students turned out recently to Community Services Minister Robyn celebrate the opening of a $100,000 Apex Park is a well-used stopping point for McSweeney broke the ground to start the Friendship House extension project, watched refurbishment of the town’s popular Apex motorists using Albany Highway, and the by Albany East Rotarians John Dent (left) and Park, assisted by $40,000 of RGS funding new play facilities and refurbished toilet Ian Howard. through the GSDC. block will be welcomed by many a traveller.

Wagin MLA Terry Waldron opened the project on Friday 24 June and recalled his own experiences using the park as a child and then as a parent with young children.

In Gnowangerup recently, Premier Colin Barnett opened the new Yougenup Centre, a Royalties for Regions-funded Community Resource Centre that houses the Gnowangerup Public Library, a toy library, art gallery and a range of offi ce and technological resources including internet access.

Like other resource centres, the Yougenup Centre offers access to Centrelink and Medicare contact, and provides publications and information from many Wagin MLA Terry Waldron reminisced about his family’s visits to Kojonup’s Apex Park when he government agencies and community opened the recent park improvements. organisations. Wheels roll on cycle trail

Walkers and horses join Munda Biddi cyclists

Horses, walkers and cyclists will share the fi rst Great Southern section of the Munda Biddi Trail.

The Torbay Rail Trail, opened by GSDC deputy chair Kim Barrow on 7 July, is a The Torbay Rail Trail community trail that will form part of the includes sections of eventual 1000km Munda Biddi Trail for off- divided path to cater road touring cyclists. for horse-riders as well as walkers and The rest of the Munda Biddi Trail is cyclists. exclusively for cyclists but, because of its genesis as a community trail project, the eight-kilometre section from Torbay Hall to Elleker provides for horse-riders, walkers and cyclists.

Mr Barrow said opening the fi rst section “There has been plenty of work to million of Royalties for Regions funding of the Munda Biddi Trail was a signifi cant strengthen existing rail bridges and build shared through the Great Southern step towards extending the trail from new ones, and build culverts to manage Development Commission and the South Mundaring to Albany, and he congratulated drainage. West Development Commission. the Department of Environment and Conservation staff, volunteers and “I know visitors to the trail will get a lot out The Munda Biddi Trail is signposted by Department of Corrective Services works of it, as it really is a remarkable stretch.” yellow trail markers with blue triangle crews. direction indicators. It can be accessed Extending the Munda Biddi Trail from from Elleker or from the Torbay Hall off “The alignment utilises the old rail Nannup to Albany is a $6 million project South Hunwick Road. formations and corridor, including rail that includes funding from the Department bridge foundations,” Mr Barrow said. of Environment and Conservation, and $3 Contact: Kerstin Stender ph. 9842 4550 8

Albany: Pyrmont House, 110 Serpentine Road, Albany WA 6330 Phone: (08) 9842 4888 Fax: (08) 9842 4828 Email: [email protected] Katanning: 10 Dore Street, PO Box 729, Katanning WA 6317 Phone: (08) 9821 3211 Fax: (08) 9821 3334 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gsdc.wa.gov.au

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