Bunbury business owners, community leaders and creative entrepreneurs put their heads together to share ideas on Thursday at the state government’s Regional Innovation Summit.
Officially opened by Regional Development minister Alannah MacTiernan, the conference at Bunbury’s Quality Hotel Lighthouse sought to guide investment aimed at diversifying the economy and creating job opportunities in new businesses.
Ms MacTiernan said innovation has been around as long as humans and the conference was an important step in encouraging the next wave of development.
“We recognise that if we are to remain competitive we need to think smartly about how we create a space to champion creativity while constructively using the state’s resources to advance regional WA,” she said.
“Sometimes we fail to understand just how much creativity is out there but we’ve got to believe we can do it and we as a government need to know what we can do to help you succeed.
“That’s why we’ve come directly to the people to hear first hand how we can best direct our $4.5 million regional innovation funding pledge from the last state election in a way that it supports new thinking and advancement opportunities.”
Bunbury MLA Don Punch told the 250 strong crowd he loved innovation and was buoyed by the region’s bright future.
“There are so many emerging and new ways to do business in the regions and for those who are nimble and prepared to take risks – much can be achieved,” he said.
Guests speakers at the summit included Maker + Co founder Jordan Gianfrancesco, City of Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams and StartUp WA’s Andrew Outhwaite.
The event was also attended by a number of regional chamber of commerce and industry, development commission and local government representatives.