The South West’s private and public sectors have partnered together in a bid to boost investment within the region.
Regional Development Australia South West chairman Duncan Anderson made the announcement recently during the CEDA Conference that Go Geo Ltd and RDA SW would work together to produce a South West Regional Investment Framework.
Mr Anderson said it was a marvellous opportunity for the region.
“There are not many regions nationally that successfully bridge the gap between private and public planning,” he said.
“By using a framework that operates at the public and private level, the region can take best advantage of its opportunities.”
Go Geo, alongside BlueMount Capital, will also establish the South West Managed Investment Fund. BlueMount is a member of the International Association of Investment Bankers, and the new fund will be the cornerstone investor in qualified companies and projects that have a positive impact on the region’s economy.
In partnership with Go Geo, RDA South West are developing a regional investment framework designed to bridge the gap between government planning priorities and the world of private equity.
The framework will be determined by aligning itself with the South West Regional Blueprint which was established in 2014.
Priority opportunities will be determined by an advisory group of initiators providing expertise in industry and sub sectors as required.
Go Geo general manager Emma Nesbitt said the need for the framework came out of a growing interest, for businesses and industry to invest in new and existing projects.
“This provides the vehicle. In order to entertain the idea of external equity entering our region, and to facilitate such discussions, we need to ensure due diligence and sound governance,” she said.
“Through this process and the framework, we enable the region to retain control over planning measures whilst using progressive and modern influences to entice excitement, development and funding, which in turn broadens external markets and creates new jobs.”
Mr Anderson said they had been grappling with how to bring the South West Blueprint to life.
“The federal and state government have already done the heavy lifting, we now need to embrace and support private funds,” he said.