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| Past Initiatives |
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Since its inception the Peel Development Commission has contributed to many significant regional projects and partnerships. Here is a list from the recent past.
In October 2006 the Peel Development Commission authorised a study to investigate the merits of the implementation of a “One Stop Shop” employment and training referral service in the Peel Region. At the time of research 22 employment and training service providers where operating in the Region, offering over 23 programs to assist with job and training placement. The study investigated the effectiveness of providing an impartial contact for job seekers to streamline the provision of services and eliminate the inefficiency caused by competition for funding. Interviews were conducted with unemployed persons, employment agencies and training providers in the Region. The report was completed in 2006. The Commission, Department of Agriculture, Harvey Water and the Shire of Waroona jointly funded a study into the expansion of horticultural opportunities in the Peel Region. The report was finalised in October 2004 and an information brochure was produced in December 2004. The report and brochure provided base data for sole investors, joint ventures and entrepreneurs to make sound business decisions on horticultural initiatives in the Peel Region. The report is now being used as the foundation for development of the horticulture industry in the Region by the Commission and other key partners. Download a copy of the report. In April 2005, the Commission, in partnership with a range of stakeholders including the Shire of Boddington, the Perth Zoo, Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), Department of Treasury and Finance, Peel Area Consultative Committee, Tourism WA and industry, completed the feasibility study on the proposed Boddington Open Range Zoo. The study identified costs associated with the development and operation of the zoo, along with key challenges facing the proposal, including the availability of potable water at the proposed site. The Commission, with stakeholders, will assess the issues raised in the report and provide recommendations to Government on possible future directions during 2005-06. Peel Retention and Expansion Program In August 2004 the Peel Development Commission facilitated Waroona Community Marketing Inc. and the Shire of Waroona to undertake the Waroona Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program. Incorporating a well-tested process of 'bottom-up' planning, action, analysis and review, a draft report was prepared that included capacity building for Waroona's (small) business community to more effectively promote its goods and services. Key infrastructure and design enhancements for the Waroona town centre also formed part of the BR&E recommendations. A local coordinating group was established to deliver the Waroona BR&E Program Action Plan. Indigenous Enterprise Development The development of Indigenous enterprise is a priority for the Commission through its employment of a full-time Indigenous Economic Development Officer in partnership with the Department of Industry and Resources' Office of Aboriginal Economic Development. During 2004-05 this activity focused on the development of Indigenous artists. Five artists now have their products displayed at galleries in the State. Three of these artists have registered their own businesses. Through this program, the Commission also assisted an artist to hold exhibitions in Tuscany and Milan, Italy. Murdoch University West Scheme and Peel Campus Expansion In 2004-05, the Commission continued to support the establishment of a Murdoch University Campus in the Peel Region. Colocated with Challenger TAFE and the Mandurah Senior College, top priority was given to the allocation of additional fully funded places and further capital funding for essential infrastructure. Murdoch University opened its new Mandurah Campus in early 2005 with 176 enrolled students. With $25,000 provided through the Regional Development Scheme, the Commission also supported the engagement of a Peel Regional Project Coordinator for the Murdoch Westscheme Enterprise Partnership. The Westscheme Enterprise Partnership is a $10 million early stage fund (in collaboration with a leading superannuation institution) to tap into innovative research conducted at Murdoch University or similar research institutions, or by local entrepreneurs, to intelligently transform innovations into commercially valuable products and services. In 2004-05 the Commission assisted the Shire of Boddington in undertaking an evaluation of a 20-month trial which saw the management of the Boddington Old School facility handed over to a registered non-profit organisation, the Boddington Old School Inc. (BOS Inc.). The initiative began in early 2002 when the Commission assisted with the establishment of the BOS Inc. In 2004-05, an additional grant of $10,000 was provided to the BOS Inc. from Regional Development Scheme to assist with the development of a rural transactions centre, as well as $15,000 to fund a Youth Centre Coordinator within the facility. The evaluation of the trial made a number of recommendations and affirmed the success of the initiative in providing this significant community infrastructure, ranging from the provision of outreach course delivery by Challenger TAFE to the establishment of a Youth Centre. The project's success has also resulted in the Shire extending its lease agreement with BOS Inc. for the management of the facility for another five years. Capacity Building to Address Drug and Alcohol Abuse Through a $12,460 Regional Development Scheme grant, the Commission supported PCDG in its year-long capacity-building project to provide opportunities for a range of related agencies to share information addressing problems of drug and alcohol abuse in the Peel Region. This initiative encompassed the gathering of relevant information through the conduct of an agency survey which will enable the completion of a Peel Drug and Alcohol Survey in 2005-06. Peel Broadband Aggregation Project In 2004-05, the Peel Region was one of 13 regional areas in Australia, and one of three in Western Australia, that successfully applied for funding (of $300,000 over 18 months) under the Federal Government's Broadband Demand Aggregation project. The Commission, with each of the Region's five local governments within the Peel Economic Development Unit (PEDU) partnership, is represented on the project Management Committee. The project engages a full-time Broadband Aggregation Broker to ensure more equitable coverage and uptake of broadband telecommunication services to less populous and/or remote population centres in the Peel Region. Of the 'target towns' identified by the project, Byford, Dwellingup, Pinjarra, North Yunderup and South Yunderup now have access to asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) services. Efforts are currently underway to increase the expressions of ADSL subscriber interest in Mundijong, Jarrahdale and Boddington. Other population centres that will gain attention in 2005-06 include Serpentine, North Dandalup, Lake Clifton and Preston Beach. The provision of 'wireless' broadband services will also be considered for promotion in centres where ADSL is not viable or not available. Peel Business The Commission was involved in the establishment of the Peel Business Enterprise Centre and continues to provide support for the development of new business and the expansion of existing businesses in the Peel Region. The demand for contract services provided by the Centre continues to grow and the program of visits to regional centres has proven very successful. In 2004-05 the Commission oversaw implementation of the recommendations of an Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander (ATSI) Health Needs Analysis project funded by the WA Department of Health. This project was managed by PCDG, which established a community-based steering group that prioritised key outcomes encompassing the development of cross-cultural training programs, and other forms of assistance, to increase ATSI access to health services provided in the Peel Region. Dwellingup More than 250,000 people visit the Lane Poole Reserve near Dwellingup. To service visitors and further develop tourism opportunities in the area a The Commission, together with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, the Department of Conservation and Land Management, Westrek and Greening the Catchment Taskforce, worked to upgrade and extend walktrails through Kitty's Gorge from The World War II Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp site, just outside Dwellingup, is historically significant for The Peel Inlet is recognised as a haven for a wide variety of migratory birds. Situated on the Inlet's western foreshore, The Peel Development Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Land Management, the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the City of Mandurah Visitor Information Centre and Spirit of the Peel Artwork The Mandurah Visitor Information Centre opened for business in 1997 and continues to service the increasing number of visitors to Mandurah. The Commission provided funding for the Centre and commissioned the design and installation of the Spirit of the Peel leadlight. Designed and produced by local artist Sandra Hill, the artwork has received wide acclaim from visitors and the community. Sandra, a contemporary Aboriginal artist of international standing, created a stunning design, reflecting the colours and spirit of the Peel region. Local artists Trish Watson and Lynne Smith, from Cottage Leadlights, translated the design into leadlight. A total of 1,400 pieces of glass were cut, foiled and soldered together to bring the masterpiece to life. Up to 15 community members at a time contributed towards the 3,500 man-hours to construct the window. The incorporation of fused glass elements in the design distinguishes this window as a unique piece of craftsmanship which has become a "must-see" tourist icon in its own right. In 2000 the Peel Successful Strategic Agri-industries Group (Peel SUSTAIN) secured funding from the Federal Department for Transport, Local Government and Regional Services. The project aimed to develop a strategic plan to overcome barriers to the future growth of agriculture in the region. The Commission has supported Peel SUSTAIN by providing expertise to frame the Strategic Plan for the Future of Agriculture in the Peel Region of Western Australia in a way that fits with other regional initiatives and provide synergies with other projects. The Peel Development Commission was instrumental in helping the Mandurah Football and Sporting Club to secure a licence to field a team in the Westar Rules competition (formerly the Western Australian Football League - WAFL). In April 1997 Peel Thunder took to the field in its first season in the elite State-based football competition, taking on the well-established metropolitan teams. Peel Thunder now provides a real opportunity for local, talented young players to achieve selection to the elite level of the AFL national competition. The Commission contributed a total of $40,000 over two years to assist in the development of the $1.35 million Waroona Aquatic Centre. The Centre's facilities include a 25 metre heated indoor swimming pool, toddlers' wading area, spa, squash courts, creche, children's adventure area and facilities for the disabled. The Centre was opened in February 1998 and was used by more than 56,000 patrons in its first year of operation. Attendance continues to increase. The Commission worked closely with the City of The Commission also sponsored a decorative backdrop for the main theatre as a gift to the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. An enchanted forest overlooking the The Pinjarra Heritage Precinct was born out of a desire by the Shire of Murray and the Peel Development Commission to revitalise economic growth within the town of The recommendations of the study have been adopted into the Shire of Murray's Planning Scheme. A detailed Mainstreet Plan has been developed for Pinjarra based on the Chaffer report recommendations and the Shire is currently implementing the staged development plan. The first major redevelopment undertaken was the creation of the Peel Region Tourism Association The Peel Region Tourism Association was established in 1994 to promote and co-ordinate tourism activities across the region. The Association comprises industry representatives from throughout the region and acts as a focus for regional marketing and promotion. The Commission provided funds to assist the Association in becoming established and has also provided support for a number of specific initiatives such as a Self-Drive Holiday Planner, television promotion and a Tourism Audit and Marketing Strategy. The Murray Recreation Centre opened in October 1996. The Commission committed a total of $40,000 to assist in the provision of these much needed community facilities. The Centre provides residents of the Shire of Murray with state of the art recreational facilities including basketball courts, a gymnasium, squash courts, aerobics hall, performing arts workshop and climbing wall. The Department of Agriculture, the Rural Adjustment Finance Corporation and the Commission jointly funded the "Peel Olives Feasibility Study" which assessed the potential for the development of an olive producing industry in the Peel region. The study undertaken by Ernst and Young included an assessment of the climate, water and soil requirements together with processing, employment, diversification, value adding and marketing opportunities for the industry. The Australian Olive Association National Conference was held in Mandurah in August 1999 and was hosted by the Peel Olive Association. Communities Online National Conference The "Creating and Sustaining Online Communities" - International Conference was held at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre in April 1999 and attracted over 500 delegates from This conference explored the many issues associated with the emergence of online communities in business and the community, and looked at the issues of community owned and managed web sites/portals which are emerging throughout the world. Peel Region Telecommunications Infrastructure Preliminary Report The Peel Development Commission and Peel Online Strategy Group engaged Gibson Quai and Associates Pty Ltd to prepare the "Peel Region Telecommunications Infrastructure Preliminary Report" which was completed in January 1998. Peel Region Telecommunications Customer Access Report The Commission and the Office of Information & Communications funded this second telecommunication study which was completed in October 1999. This report addressed a number of issues relating to the region's telecommunications infrastructure, how this translates into facilities and what opportunities this presents. This report follows on from the Peel Region Telecommunications Infrastructure Preliminary Report, prepared by Gibson Quai & Associates Pty Ltd in early 1998. The scope of this second study focused on the communications facilities available or planned within the Peel region. Peel Aquaculture and Fish Restocking Study A study produced by the consultants Fish Unlimited and SRM Pty Ltd conducted an assessment of all water bodies within the region, detailed the environmental opportunities for restocking and identified suitable native fish species that could be used in restocking the waterbodies of the Peel region. The major recommendation of the Report suggested a trial restocking of black bream in It was also highly recommended that additional research be conducted into the establishment of a Green-Water Pond Research Centre able to incorporate estuary research, grow-out and release facilities and aquaculture training Peel Electronic Commerce Incubator Pilot Project The Peel Ecommerce Incubator Project was the first of its kind in Businesses were provided with education and one-on-one consulting to produce and implement an Ecommerce plan for their business. The project was an initiative of the Peel Development Commission and was funded by the Commission, Networking the Nation grant scheme and the WA Office of Information and Communications. The Peel Region is at the forefront of regional online development within While the Peel Region has been very successful in developing a broad range of online based projects and initiatives, it could not have been achieved without the valuable contribution and willingness of many Local, State, and Commonwealth Government Agencies, the business sector, community groups, and individuals that have collaborated and entered into partnerships to develop, implement, and manage these projects. Successful online projects have included the Peel Direct web portal, Peel eCommunity and Emarketplace web sites, Peel SeniorNet, Peel Local GovernmentNet and the establishment of a network of regional Telecentres. The Commission's work in the online sector has also developed partnerships with a number of regional organisations including Fairbridge, the Peel Rural Technology Centre, the Halls Head Community Campus and the Peel Business Enterprise Centre. In 2004 the Commission worked closely with the Region's local government, small business and tourism stakeholders to formally incorporate the Peel Marketing Alliance (PMA). The PMA's purpose was to effectively and strategically promote the Peel Region as the natural choice of location in which to invest, visit and live. The Commission contributed $50,000 towards the PMA in 2004-05, including towards the employment of a Peel Marketing Manager and office space from which the project is based. Successful initiatives from the project included a 40-week press advertising campaign in The West Australian newspaper, the publication of a Peel Shopper's Guide, promotions at WA's Expo- 'WA On Show' - and the Mandurah-hosted Regional Economies Conference. The PMA has also coordinated the Peel Region's involvement in the WA Tourism Commission's Experience Perth promotion. Through the Regional Development Scheme, the Commission also provided an additional $10,000 to the PMA towards a Peel Visitor Satisfaction Survey. |
