THE launch of the South West Regional Blueprint on Wednesday revealed promising long term investment planning to see future potential unlocked for the South West.
Regional development minister Terry Redman announced the Blueprint at the South West Focus conference and said the document had integrity and gives guidance on how to invest in industries that would support the rapid growth of the region.
“The prediction in the blueprint is by 2050 we will have somewhere between 450,000 to 500,000 people in the South West, currently there is about 180,000," Mr Redman said.
"If that follows prediction then you are going to need 200,000 jobs to support that.
"The Blueprint gives guidance around the impacts of Asia, where there are many opportunities, for example in the creative and services industries."
The four platforms the report is based on include building on natural assets, which has already been seen in the SuperTowns Program, which has a vision to have balanced communities, with lifestyle options and access to services.
The report focuses on supporting the emerging creative industry, for example CineFest Oz, which is the largest film festival in the nation and bringing into focus the actual community to "create a sense of place", Mr Redman said.
This will be seen through developments in health, education and improved amenities, which has already started to take place in many of the Royalties for Regions programs.
Chairman of the South West Development Commission Stuart Hicks said the 12 local governments in the region and the diversity of industries adds to the potential for growth in the South West.
"If we can get past the parochialism that is caused from each industry and find common ground, then we can lead the community to greater prosperity," Mr Hicks said.
Mr Redman said even though there was a downturn of jobs at the moment, this was part of the economy's natural cycle.
“We have come off a peak, particularly in the resources sector and interestingly that has negatively impacted on peoples employment down here,"Mr Redman said.
“So now we are seeing a change from production through to construction in the resources sector, that’s meaning a lot of people being laid off."
Mr Redman said we must remain optimistic about the future, because the implementation of the Blueprint projects will generate jobs in the South West and encourage people to choose the regions as a place to settle down.
“This is a wonderful part of the world to live in, the growth rate is just under 2.8 per cent, that is ahead of the state average, which means already people are making the choice to move here," he said.
The recently announced $59.7 million expansion of the Busselton Regional Airport is part of the Blueprint and will open up new tourism and business opportunities, create jobs and drive economic growth.
The Regional Investment Blueprint initiative is supported by $362 million of Royalties for Regions funding.
For more information about the South West Regional Blueprint you can download a copy.
The South West Focus conference is taking place over July 1 and 2 and is aimed at giving attendees an idea of what might be in the South-West’s future and what opportunities people may be able to tap in to.
For more information, visit the South West Focus website.
