Community & Environment

Active ageing

Developing infrastructure which supports accessibility, ageing in place, Aboriginal engagement and advanced health care, including mental health

Proposition

Ageing in place

Enable people to age in place and transition to appropriate high and permanent care as required Moving forward - Ensure continued community engagement through age-appropriate sports delivery and social/interest groups

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Build supported seniors accommodation to meet forecast demand
  • Ensure high care services are expanded both in high care accommodation and services to the home
  • Build culturally specific Aboriginal high and permanent care facilities for Aboriginal seniors
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • The region’s higher proportion of older people enjoy appropriate public infrastructure and have access to quality services delivered by a strong nongovernment sector

Community connectivity

Ensure the bulk of the population has access to public transport

Proposition

Trackless tram

Introduce a ground-breaking trackless tram featuring renewable power

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Initiate a service within Greater Bunbury
5 - 20 years
  • Extend South to Busselton and Vasse
  • Introduce technologies to automate the service
Outcomes 2050
  • The key population corridor is connected by an efficient zero emissions transport service
Proposition

EV Network

Support the development of an EV charging network

Actions 1 - 5 years

Introduce the beginnings of a ‘greenfleet’ of government vehicles

5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050

Community wellbeing

Ensure the community is well served through leadership, volunteerism, collaboration and the safety of residents

Proposition

Capitalise on opportunities in art

Engagement with art and culture builds bridges in diversity and demographics

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Build the arts culture of the region through events and Aboriginal recognition
5 - 20 years
  • Build an iconic cultural and community centre in Bunbury that celebrates Aboriginal culture
Outcomes 2050
  • Arts and music are tools for engagement, recognition and regional pride
Proposition

Shared vision

Facilitate a regional consensus on a shared vision and objectives through education and communication to build capacity

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Undertake an education program to enhance leadership skills and understanding of regional development as a determinant of the region’s future growth
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • The South West has a deep understanding of connections, engagement and growth in a value framework that respects the environment and demographic diversity
Proposition

Volunteerism

Ensure volunteerism remains a vital ingredient of South West community life

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Promote the value of volunteerism
5 - 20 years
  • The region features a developed system utilising the skills of retirees
Outcomes 2050
  • The South West has a diverse and capable not-for-profit sector
Proposition

Emergencies covered

Ensure the region has the capacity to deal with natural events including storm, fire and flood

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Encourage collaboration in planning for catastrophic events and support emergency organisations
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
Proposition

Community infrastructure

Ensure growing communities feature sufficient community infrastructure where population growth is challenging existing capacity

Actions 1 - 5 years

Develop a Dalyellup multipurpose facility with youth space, meeting places and digital/tech hub

5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050

Education

A region of educational excellence requires the capacity and capability to deliver high quality sustainable services from kindergarten to higher education

Proposition

Growing to meet need

Ensure kindergarten/primary and high schools are capable and have capacity to meet forecast population growth Continued learning - Improve the opportunity for young people to gain access to and have high retention rates in higher education Adaptation - Education and training are innovative in service delivery and able to rapidly adapt and pivot to changing industry needs

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Integrate vocational education with industry need and input, paying particular attention to opportunities for endogenous workforce growth on the South West Health Campus
  • Follow through on ECU’s commitment to be future focused, creating points of difference in offerings, mode of offering and being responsive to change
  • Introduce cutting edge immersive training technologies in higher education, setting new benchmarks in regional Australia
5 - 20 years
  • Integrate and develop online learning support/centres in each of the region’s major towns to deliver synchronous quality courses in an online mode. Physically expand higher education close to centres of population and industry
  • Expand student accommodation facility in Bunbury to support overseas student enrolment at ECU and to support SR TAFE
  • Deliver study areas that are relevant to, and, support regional need
Outcomes 2050
  • Young people choose to remain in the South West for their education or return to the South West following graduation elsewhere
  • The region has a vibrant and well developed overseas student cohort
  • A broad range of educational opportunities exist for people to participate in further and higher education at any stage of life
  • The South West is established and recognised as an education region and Bunbury is recognised as an education city
Proposition

Higher education options

Continue to expand degree options for regional students, supporting first year study in the South West with the possibility of completing the degree in Perth

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Focus international student opportunities. Strengthen proven links with Africa and explore other Indian Ocean countries
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050

Health

Ensure hospital, GP and Primary Health care services have the capacity to meet demand from a South West population of 300,000

Proposition

Health

Primary health care - Ensure the region has access to primary health care professionals, quality emergency care and a suite of programs that address health issues for a growing population Healthy minds - Ensure the needs of people with mental illness are addressed as far as possible within the region Aged care - Expansion of aged care services (to age in place) and accommodation options to address demographic change Aboriginal health - Ensure that South West services support efforts to close the gap in Aboriginal health outcomes Expectations - Traditional health service delivery becomes more patient-focused Health professionals - The region should grow its own workforce rather than rely on external recruiting outside

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Improve focus on the management of chronic disease (diabetes, asthma, mental health, and arthritis for example) and the associated lifestyle risk factors for these conditions (obesity, alcohol use, smoking, inadequate exercise and poor diet)
  • Complete major refurbishment of Bunbury Regional Hospital and St John of God Hospital to improve patient access to services
  • Integrated health services are provided to support adolescent health
  • Support the SW Aboriginal Medical Service bid for new premises, of scale, to deliver more services
  • Investment in palliative care facilities to ensure patients need not travel to Perth
  • Boost ‘day hospital’ care services in the Capes region
  • Support the increase of locally-trained workers, integrating training by educators and health providers
  • Develop an integrated health precinct in Donnybrook, combining services, training and worker accommodation in partnership to meet community need
5 - 20 years
  • Population growth is demanding greater investment in oncology services to ensure regional need is met in the region
  • Step change management accounts for support infrastructure needs such as parking, catering and necessary supplies
  • Work towards meeting demand needs for additional chemotherapy, dialysis, theatres and beds
Outcomes 2050
  • High incidences of health morbidity have been addressed and awareness of the impact of personal decisions on individual health has increased
  • The South West is a preferred regional destination for health professionals
  • The South West is a model of integration and collaboration between the public and private healthcare systems

Housing

Real estate stocks need to support growth across a mix of housing options at a range of settlement scales

Proposition

Affordability and choice

Ensure there is a mix of affordable housing options providing choice in terms of block size and city or hamlet scale living Lighter footprint - Encourage lightweight construction methods to reduce the demand for sandfill Social housing - Address homelessness issues and spread public housing within suburbs and throughout the region

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Ensure appropriate land supply and regional choice to manage pricing and regional living expectations
  • Develop a practical plan to resolves homeless issues among differing groups
  • Develop integrated accommodation for young homeless people, with a view to providing a suite of services aimed at returning at-risk people to mainstream education and work
5 - 20 years
  • Detailed planning for the new suburb of Wanju to come online – setting timelines and a schedule of necessary infrastructure roll-out
  • Incorporate affordable housing targets in new development proposals
Outcomes 2050
  • Affordability is no longer a major housing social issue in the South West
  • All regional communities are self-sufficient with a range of housing options that enable people to remain in their local communities

Regional capital: Greater Bunbury

Strengthen the role of Bunbury as Western Australia’s second city supporting regional commerce, trade, arts, culture, education and human services

Proposition

Bunbury

Position Bunbury as a well-connected and consolidated city of choice through access to high quality services, affordable housing, economic opportunity and high quality amenity in both recreational and public open space areas

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Complete Bunbury Waterfront Development including expanded marina facilities in Casuarina Harbour and Koombana Bay
  • Expand the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery to provide a regional exhibition and art education centre
  • Bunbury is home to a decentralised government agency
5 - 20 years
  • Create new mixed-use development opportunities at Casuarina Harbour following decommissioning of Outer Harbour infrastructure
Outcomes 2050
  • Greater Bunbury is Western Australia’s second city known for its vibrancy, growth and commercial investment
  • Bunbury is a viable residential and investment alternative to Perth
  • Bunbury is recognised nationally as a maritime trade and commercial centre

Regional city: Busselton

Develop the City of Busselton as a major Western Australian regional city

Proposition

Busselton

Establish Busselton as the regions’ major lifestyle city based on tourism, wine and food, creative industries, events and high-value professional services

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Complete Busselton foreshore development incorporating high quality accommodation development
  • Ensure Busselton is a central node for high capacity high speed broadband with Wi-Fi access in major tourism nodes
  • Monitor sea level rises to plan for the future
5 - 20 years
  • Complete the Port Geographe development
  • Develop responsible approaches to managed retreat or protection in respect of sea level rises
Outcomes 2050
  • Busselton is a nationally recognised city for high-value industries in the creative sector, professional services and tourism and is an international gateway for business and tourism visitation to the region

Regional waste

Support policies that minimises kerbside waste and ensure that practices and processes head towards a target of zero landfill

Proposition

Waste Precinct And Capacity

Develop the South West Waste Precinct at Kemerton to be best practice in diverting waste form landfill Expand sub-regional waste facilities capable of recycling and managing waste to a forecast regional population of 300,000

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Boost composting capacity to divert landfill at the sub-regional level
  • Construct a materials recovery facility(MRF) to sort waste streams
  • Utilise waste resources in roadbuilding
5 - 20 years
  • The use of waste materials in road building is commonplace and all materials are utilised
  • Compost materials are widely used to improve agricultural land in a drying climate
  • Expand recovery to all forms of plastics
  • Replace basic raw materials with recovered alternative materials
Outcomes 2050

The South West is nationally recognised as a leader in waste diversion, reuse and management

South West streetscapes

Create an image of the region’s settlements that showcases culture, history and environmental values, adding value to the community and reducing urban heat islands

Proposition

Creative culture

The region’s towns should reflect their sense of place in public art, heritage, atmosphere and offerings to attract population and stimulate business

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Each settlement to undertake a review exploring their points of difference and showcase South West art
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • The South West is a desired lifestyle location with each area featuring its own character
Proposition

Urban canopy

Urban greening concepts set the region and Western Australia apart

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Extend urban greening concepts to all built areas
5 - 20 years
Outcomes 2050
  • Urban streets are greener and boost available habitat as well as human lifestyle

Sport and recreation

Ensure the region has adequate well planned sports and recreational spaces across the region

Proposition

Enhance liveability

Ensure adequate land area is developed to provide an expansion of team-based sports facilities mindful of demographic and gender need Raise the game - Position the South West to have premium facilities which enable the region to host State-wide country events, support population growth and attract workers Trails reputation - Support the development of key trail infrastructure that adds to the South West brand and reputation

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Redevelop Hands Oval as the region’s primary football facility to a standard supporting AFLW, WAFL and pre-season AFL games
  • Upgrade Eaton Recreation Centre as the region’s only FIBA accredited basketball venue and home to the State Netball League’s only SW representative side
  • Redevelop Hay Park regional sports facilities, being mindful of an urgent need to resurface and upgrade Bunbury Netball Association courts
  • Develop the Greenbushes Sports Precinct to support community and need resulting from Talison Lithium mining growth
  • Identify and develop land in Dalyellup to cater for oval-based sports demand
  • Develop mountain bike trails in key locations– Collie, Nannup, Pemberton and Margaret River
  • Develop a trailbike and ATV trail in Manjimup
  • Undertake planning to create a state level multi-user equestrian facilityat Capel Regional Equestrian Park
  • Redevelop and expand the Leschenault Leisure Centre to a regional level facility
5 - 20 years
  • Redevelop the South West Sports Centre to increase capacity, integrating newmodels of service delivery and private sector integration to boost financial sustainability
  • Redevelop the ageing Hockey Stadium infrastructure in Bunbury
  • Develop the Wadandi Trail as part of the bigger picture Karri Bowl proposal
  • Redevelop and extend the Bovell Park Sporting Complex to a regional facility
  • Redevelop and upgrade Manjimup’s Collier Sporting Precinct
  • Investigate the development of a state level shooting sports facility in the Capes
Outcomes 2050
  • A strategic spread of recreational space exists to support both population growth and the requirements of specific population demographics

Sustaining environmental qualities

Acting to mitigate and adapt to climate change and sustain the environmental qualities which are intrinsic to the character of the South West

Proposition

Maintaining environmental values

Ensure the region maintains its environmental and economic values, maintaining sustainable credentials while growing in a drying climate and with rising sea levels Consider Net Zero and carbon emission reduction in all activities and projects

Actions 1 - 5 years
  • Support the region’s NRM bodies which work strategically to ensure the region’s landscapes, flora, fauna, waterways and coastline are protected for current and future generations
  • Support the Peron-Naturaliste Partnership(PNP) to identify and mitigate sea level rise between Rockingham and Naturaliste
  • Continue to address nutrient inflows into the Leschenault Estuary, Hardy Inlet and Geographe Waterways and repair degraded habitat
  • The whole SWALGA zone collaborates on a united goal to decarbonise the South West
  • Kaatijinup: Support the post-mining transition of the land between Tuart Drive and Bussell Highway, in the Shire of Cape, to become a biodiversity park
5 - 20 years
  • Retrofit existing storm water management systems with water sensitive urban design and continue to improve nutrient management to reduce threats to fish and water quality
  • Undertake a long-term study of groundwater salinity to investigate the impacts of continued agricultural use of the Western side of the Forrest Hwy in the Shire of Harvey
  • Develop a funding mechanism to ensure measures to mitigate against sea level rise can be achieved
Outcomes 2050
  • Population and industry growth has occurred without materially compromising South West environmental values and lifestyle leaving a positive legacy for the future