$1.6b generated for the Goldfields-Esperance region from the resources sector
A new survey has found the State’s resources sector contributed $1.63 billion directly to the Goldfields-Esperance economy in 2020-21, and provided more than 3300 fulltime local jobs. The results of the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy survey released on Sunday revealed the combined direct economic contributions of the 56 member companies involved was more than $61b in WA and more than $39b outside the State.
The report showed these benefited member companies employed 3379 people in the Goldfields-Esperance region, and paid them more than $444 million in wages.
CME policy and advocacy director Rob Carruthers said the funds generated by the mining sector not only benefited the wallets of local workers directly, but also supported other businesses in the region.
“Those member companies spent an additional $1.18b supporting 895 businesses, 131 community organisations in the region, and all 10 local governments in the Goldfields-Esperance region,” he said.
“Supply chain spending by those companies is estimated to create an additional 10,876 jobs in the Goldfields and generated more than $1.59b in indirect gross value add for local economies.
Mr Carruthers said the “total” figure was likely to be higher than $1.63b, with the survey only capturing a “snapshot” of their members’ direct impact.
RED Grants Program – Round Four is now OPEN
Minister for Regional Development, the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLC, has announced the opening of Round Four of the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program for the Goldfields-Esperance Region. The RED Grants program is a WA State Government initiative that invests in locally driven projects to stimulate economic growth and development in regional Western Australia with funding of up to $250,000 for an individual project.
The objectives of the RED Grants program include:
• Sustainable jobs
• Developing skills or capabilities
• Attracting new investment in the region
• Expanding or diversifying industry
• Increasing productivity
The RED Grants program is an investment of $40.8 million over 7 years across the State, to build the capability and capacity of Western Australia’s regions through job creation, increased productivity and industry development. For information or to apply for Round Four of the Goldfields-Esperance RED Grants, please visit the GEDC website at Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants | GEDC
Applications for Round Four of the RED Grants Goldfields-Esperance close at 5pm, Thursday 21 October 2021.
The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) is encouraging organisations that may be seeking funding for economic development projects and programs, to contact GEDC Grants Officers to discuss this opportunity further, on 9080 5000 or grants@gedc.wa.gov.au
World’s biggest renewable energy hub planned for Goldfields-Esperance Region
The world’s biggest renewable energy hub – comprising an astonishing 50 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity – has been proposed for the Goldfields-Esperance region to create millions of tonnes of green hydrogen for use in Australia and for export. The chief proponents are Australia’s CWP Renewables and Hong Kong-based Intercontinental Energy, the same parties behind the 26GW Asia Renewable Energy Hub in the Pilbara.
The Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH) would stretch over 15,000 square kilometres from near the South Australia border out west across the Nullabor towards the mining towns of Kalgoorlie and Boulder. It would cost up to $100 billion to deliver, and would produce up to 3.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen or 20 million tonnes of green ammonia annually.
“The Western Green Energy Hub is historic on two fronts,” Brendan Hammond, the chairman of the WGEH board, said in a statement on Tuesday.
“First, the scale at which we will be able to deliver green fuels to markets and customers around the world, helping to move us all towards a net-zero future.
“Second, and possibly more importantly, the way in which we are working with the Mirning People, the original owners of the land, to create a truly long-term and sustainable multi-generational partnership that delivers enormous socio-economic benefits for the community.”
“It’s a truly massive proposal,” said Western Australia’s hydrogen minister Alannah MacTiernan.
Portal a boost for Business by John Bowler (Mayor of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder)
Our local procurement has increased significantly in the past five years, but it’s an ongoing battle and we can’t rest on our laurels. It’s great to see the news the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy have launched a local procurement portal, the GE Business Register, backed by nine major mining companies with the aim to increase local content for the mining industry. The GE Business Register is FREE for local businesses to register with, and will feature a Pipeline of Works for the Goldfields-Esperance region so they can see what opportunities are available for local tenders, expressions of interest and maintenance works. If you want to find out more about the GE Business Register, contact Peter Rampellini, Local Content Adviser at the Goldfields-Esperance Region.
The full news article was published in the Kalgoorlie Miner on 15 May 2021 – www.kalminer.com.au