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| Western Australian Regional Development Commission | |
|---|---|
| Name | Western Australian Regional Development Commission |
| Formation | 1993 |
| Type | Statutory authority |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia |
| Region served | Western Australia |
| Leader title | Chair |
Western Australian Regional Development Commission
The Western Australian Regional Development Commission (WARDS) is a state statutory authority created to coordinate regional planning, investment attraction, infrastructure development and community projects across multiple regions of Western Australia. It operates within a network of statutory bodies, corporate entities and local administrations to deliver strategic plans linked to state and federal policies, engaging with regional industries, indigenous corporations and research institutions. The commission interfaces with ministers, councils and development agencies to translate regional priorities into funded programs and capital projects.
The commission functions as a statutory intermediary between the Parliament of Western Australia, regional stakeholders such as the Shire of Broome, peak bodies including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, and national agencies like the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. It covers multiple designated regions such as the Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid West, and Great Southern, promoting resource development, tourism, agriculture and indigenous economic participation. The commission collaborates with research partners like the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University, and technical institutions such as TAFE campuses to support skills, innovation and workforce planning.
Established in 1993 under state legislation passed by the Parliament of Western Australia, the commission emerged amid reforms following reports by entities including the WA Taskforce on Regional Development and policy reviews influenced by national frameworks such as the GST distribution debates. The statutory instrument that defines its powers aligns with acts and regulations administered by the Minister for Regional Development (Western Australia). Over time its mandate has intersected with initiatives from the Australian Government including the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and intergovernmental agreements negotiated with the Council of Australian Governments.
The commission is governed by an appointed board comprising members drawn from business sectors represented by groups like the National Farmers' Federation, community leaders from councils such as the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and representatives of indigenous bodies including the NNTT-engaged corporations and registered native title claimants. Chairs and members have included figures with backgrounds in resource companies like BHP, utilities such as Horizon Power, and logistics firms like Toll Group. Board appointments follow ministerial processes comparable to other statutory authorities such as the Economic Regulation Authority (Western Australia) and the DevelopmentWA board.
Core functions encompass preparing regional development schemes comparable to the Perth and Peel@3.5million strategic plan, producing regional investment blueprints akin to the Queensland Regionalisation strategy and administering community infrastructure grants parallel to programs from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Plans address sectors including mining corporations operating in the Pilbara, pastoral enterprises in the Gascoyne, viticulture in the Swan Valley, aquaculture ventures with ties to the Department of Fisheries (Western Australia), and tourism developments connected to sites like the Ningaloo Reef and Swan Valley.
The commission has supported projects including port upgrades analogous to the Port of Fremantle enhancements, regional airport redevelopments similar to works at Broome International Airport, and precinct activation projects reminiscent of the Roe Highway corridor investments. It has facilitated supply chain initiatives linking miners such as Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group with rail projects like the Pilbara railways and with energy projects associated with firms like Woodside Petroleum. Community initiatives have paralleled collaborations with cultural institutions such as Art Gallery of Western Australia and event strategies similar to the Margaret River Pro surf festival.
Funding streams combine state appropriations from the Treasury of Western Australia, targeted grants co-funded with the Australian Government and private sector investment from corporations including Chevron, Sinopec and banks like the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The commission engages in partnerships with regional councils such as the Shire of Esperance, economic development organisations like Regional Development Australia, research partners such as CSIRO, and philanthropic entities comparable to the Ian Potter Foundation for place-based projects.
The commission’s interventions have been credited with enabling infrastructure enabling mining expansions for corporations like KCGM and improving indigenous enterprise outcomes through programs with organisations such as the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia. Independent reviews have benchmarked performance against bodies like the Victorian Regional Development Victoria and highlighted successes in attracting investment to the Mid West and South West. Criticisms raised in parliamentary inquiries and media outlets including the West Australian and broadcasters such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation address issues of regional equity, project selection transparency, overlaps with agencies like DevelopmentWA, and the adequacy of evaluation frameworks compared with international standards promoted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Category:Statutory authorities of Western Australia Category:Regional development in Australia