Diversifying the local economy in a hope to broaden future job opportunities is the main goal of projects at the forefront of the City of Mandurah's election wish list, according to mayor Rhys Williams.
When elections roll around so do promises, which is a combination the local government is looking to capitalise on.
Mr Williams said the City of Mandurah was putting their hands up for additional funds to complete several projects that will help "restructure the economy".
From a culinary training hub to a researching data network, Mr Williams said the local government was looking to invest in projects that would eventually lead to new industries.
"We've met with both sides to have discussions with them about that and we're hoping to have an announcement in the next couple of weeks," Mr Williams said.
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"We've got to focus on new industries and training. What we really need in Mandurah is the jigsaw pieces that will help us to restructure the economy.
"At the moment there are about 150 PhD students from different tertiary institutes studying the Peel Harvey Catchment waterbody.
"We're really looking at twenty-first-century infrastructure. We've sought support for the funding of a data network over the Peel-Harvey Estuary.
"That will enable research to really go up to another level. We think that this is really about positioning Mandurah, over time, with new 'knowledge economy jobs'."
The proposed "Culinary Science School" was initiated by the Peel Development Commission in August 2018 and was devised to help increase the culinary expertise of the local and state's hospitality and food production sector.
We've met with both sides to have discussions with them about that and we're hoping to have an announcement in the next couple of weeks.
In February, the local government had already laid out their intentions to pursue $5 million for the project.
"That's a really exciting project that could really put Mandurah on the map as a culinary education destination," he said.
"It would be the only project of it's kind in Australia.
"We think this is a big opportunity for us and we're hoping to get some traction on that project.
"We know that the state government is working on a plan to potentially locate a VET food culinary school to Mandurah. To have a higher education culinary school would really create a full pathway for young people seeking work in hospitality."
He said whether the projects were funded or not, the City of Mandurah would continue their advocacy.
That's a really exciting project that could really put Mandurah on the map as a culinary education destination.
"[They] are projects that really for us a relevant now and int the future," he said.
A big hitter on the list was the Waterfront Development Project, aimed to revitalising the city's centre and creating attractions that would put Mandurah on the map domestically and internationally.
"We've asked for $7 million. That takes us to the point where we can complete the project in its entirety," Mr Williams said.
In terms of the infrastructure front, Mr Williams said a proposed footbridge in Lakelands was first on the list.
"We can get a good, quick win for the people in the northern corridor of Mandurah with funding for the Lakelands Pedestrian Bridge. [We've seen] support for both sides of politics in relation to that project."
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