COULD Mandurah be the next location for a government agency?
Councillor Peter Rogers moved a motion requesting Mayor Marina Vergone write to the Department of Finance to request Mandurah be considered as a preferred location for the relocation of a government agency.
“It is important that the City capitalise on the relocation of a government agency within Mandurah and should make renewed efforts to relocate any such agency in Mandurah,” cr Rogers said.
“Relocating government agencies has the dual objective of bringing government decision-making to local communities and stimulating economic growth and long-term job generation within Mandurah.
“The City must capitalise on its strategic location at the end of the Mandurah to Perth train line to secure the relocation of the public sector jobs to the City’s town centre.”
He said it was estimated that each public sector job creates two further jobs in the private sector within the region.
“Securing a government agency in Mandurah has been a long-term strategic goal for the City, its elected members and other relevant stakeholders,” cr Rogers said.
“With this [motion], I intend to reaffirm and refresh this economic goal and seek to ensure the State Government delivers a government agency within the City of Mandurah.
“It should be noted that, in my opinion, there is no ‘silver bullet’ with regard to economic development.
“This motion is not the answer; it is part of the answer.
“Economic growth requires activity from many different areas, sectors and players – that will eventually lead to strong and vibrant growth within our City and greater region.”
Cr Shane Jones said the City could not do enough “positive reinforcement” and that Mandurah was a “player” when it came to government agency locations, which cr Don Pember agreed with.
“What we need is to remind government parties, on both sides, that Mandurah is still in the game,” cr Pember said.
