4.4 Transformative project highlights

An Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH) in the South West enables the adoption of new technologies, processes and practices to attract increased private sector investment and encourage high-skilled, high-value job creation for the long-term growth and prosperity of the regional economy.

New technologies produce specialised and valuable inputs linked to downstream processing, improved efficiencies in the innovation process and targets and supplies growing Australian export markets.

Skilled and knowledgeable workforces will be a prerequisite, building strength and underpinning investment attraction.

Industry-led

AMTECH is focused on a model that is driven by industry, with the South West Development Commission (SWDC) facilitating industry stakeholder engagement to provide high level industry oversight and advice.

An Industry Leaders Group and the Education, Research and Innovation Group are integral collaborations in the development of AMTECH.

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The South West has long been hailed as an industry hub and export gateway. Bunbury Geographe features one of the largest land holdings of any port in Australia.

Together with a sophisticated port, rail and road network within reach of key mining operations, current and emerging manufacturers, innovators and educators, the South West has a real opportunity for advancement. Bunbury Geographe features: proximity to major growth opportunities at the region’s Strategic Industrial Area at Kemerton; and Collie, as it transitions from a traditional coal-based economy to embracing an innovative, opportunity-rich business environment supported by the State Government.

Given the convenience of the Preston, Picton and Wellington Industrial Parks, access to key road links to Perth and close to the port suggests the cost of growth will be more inviting than competing areas.

Furthermore, the development of the Bunbury Geographe Sub-regional Planning Strategy, South West Supply Chain Strategy and finalised alignment of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road has aided the identification of quality sites all within 10km of Bunbury Port.

Consequently, AMTECH has the potential to link and complement other future development in the South West, such as an Intermodal Terminal.

A manufacturing ‘hub’ is not necessarily a single precinct, but coordinates industry in an area served by quality port, rail and road infrastructure.

There is a myriad of opportunities, but those focused on the region’s advantages and in lockstep with wider State initiatives are likely to have the best prospects. Rare earths and metals present particular opportunities in the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services sector (METS), while the regions strong agriculture industry helps contribute to food manufacturing which accounts for 30% of all the country’s manufacturing employment.

There is growing interest in what can be done with hemp, manufacturing bioplastics for packaging and utilising waste materials as the engine room of a circular economy. A centre focused on collaborative innovation can boost opportunity for small to medium enterprises.

Manufacturing is a connector. It brings together logistic sand transport networks, digital technologies, skills and training. It also thrives on research and development. Clustering brings its own economic development benefits and infrastructure such as an intermodal terminal forges transport connections, delivering competitive advantage.

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