A delegation of heavy-hitters from Mandurah and the Peel region were in Canberra last week, selling the benefits of the $49.3 million Transform Peel project to politicians and bureaucrats.
Board members from the Regional Development Authority (RDA) Peel and the Peel Development Commission (PDC), which included PDC chairperson Paul Fitzpatrick and chief Andrew Ward, RDA Peel chairperson Paddi Creevey, chief John Lambrecht and board member Rhys Williams presented detail of the 35 year vision for the project.
This included discussion about job creation for future generations and encouraging economic growth in the Peel region.
The Transform Peel project is currently funded by the Western Australian Government’s Royalties for Regions program under the Growing Our South initiative, and comprises three significant elements; the Peel Business Park, the Peel Food Zone and the Peel Integrated Water Initiative.
The delegation met with federal Mathias Cormann, Greg Hunt, Barnaby Joyce, Fiona Nash, and Michaelia Cash.
Paul Fitzpatrick said the delegation had increased awareness of Transform Peel and was received enthusiastically.
“This is not just a project to drive growth in the Peel region; it is a development of state and national significance,” he said.
“Transform Peel will provide a massive boost for a region which is striving to meet employment and training needs, particularly of young people, by generating an expected 33,000 new jobs by 2050.”
Ms Creevey added that the reception to requests for federal support had been extremely positive.
“The Commonwealth ministers and senators understood Transform Peel is about changing from our current economic environment which is built around traditional jobs into a new era of economic innovation,” she said.
“It’s about creating new industries, more jobs and better living, through innovation. For example creating a new agri-business hub for Western Australia where agricultural research, science and innovation will be located to support food production enterprise and processing facilities.”
The delegation also attended the Our Watch function with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, his wife Lucy Turnbull and Canning MP Andrew Hastie.
Our Watch is an annual bi-partisan parliamentary event aimed at raising awareness of domestic and family violence.
“It was a unique opportunity for Peel regional leaders to engage with the Prime Minister, opposition leader and Our Watch, and lend our support to the campaign to end violence against women and children,” Mr Hastie said.
Mr Fitzpatrick thanked Member for Canning Andrew Hastie for his support during the visit.
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
