Labor's Canning candidate Mellisa Teede and senator for West Australia Louise Pratt have pledged $5 million to support Mandurah's hospitality industry through backing the proposed Culinary Science School.
The future culinary hub has been the brainchild of Peel Development Commission and warmly welcomed by Murdoch University.
Joining local government and university representatives at Mandurah's popular Mataya Eatery on Sholl Street on Monday morning, Ms Teede and Ms Pratt said the funding commitment was important for the city's economic future.
Ms Pratt said the pledge demonstrated Labor's commitment to improving educational opportunities nation-wide.
She also commended the work of the Peel Development Commission, who she said had been working hard for the proposal since the days Ms Teede was at its helm as chief executive officer.
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Ms Teede acknowledged the partnering of the commission, Murdoch University and the City of Mandurah.
She said it was vital that the region's young people had "pathways" to further their education.
"We have a fabulous TAFE here but this is about elevating it as a career," Ms Teede.
"The young people of Mandurah deserve the best opportunity going forward. These are the jobs of the future."
The school was devised to help increase the culinary expertise of the local and state hospitality and food production sector.
Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams was also at the announcement and welcomed the support.
He said the additional funding would get the ball rolling on a business case for the school.
Mr Williams said the school would weave into the work undertaken at the upcoming agri-innovation hub in the Peel Business Park.
The Centre for Innovation in Agriculture aims to undertake research that will lead to more productive and sustainable agriculture in the Peel region.
Mr Williams said the culinary hub was "value adding to that product".
Murdoch University chief of staff David Harrison said Mandurah was important to the education hub.
Murdoch University has a campus on Education Drive in Greenfields that specialises in health courses and delivers OnTrack, a free 14-week enabling program offering an admission pathway.
He said as people's food needs changed as allergies or sensitivities were identified, more understanding within hospitality was required,
"This has the potential to bring together the training and the research side," he said.
What do you think about a culinary school in Mandurah? Share your opinion with the Mandurah Mail team by sending a letter to editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Follow Caitlyn Rintoul on Twitter via @caitlynrintoul.
