Information relating to COVID-19
This page will be regularly updated as more links and information become available.
WA Government information and advice
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/coronavirus-covid-19
Updated Friday, 27 March 2020: Regional travel restrictions
The State Government will introduce further restrictions on travel within the State from midnight Tuesday, 31 March 2020 to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
From midnight Tuesday, restrictions will be placed on travel within the entire State of Western Australia.
Western Australians will only be permitted to leave their regional boundary for essential purposes. Police have the power to enforce these restrictions if necessary, and fines of up to $50,000 can be issued.
Exemptions will include, but are not limited to, travelling for employment purposes; medical reasons including health and emergency services; people living in ‘border communities’, who may not have access to groceries or supplies within their region; transport of goods; and compassionate grounds.
The regional boundaries mirror those of the regional development commissions. Due to their close proximity, the Perth and Peel regions will combine into one region.
The Gascoyne region comprises the local government areas of Carnarvon, Exmouth, Shark Bay and Upper Gascoyne.
Previously announced additional restrictions to remote Aboriginal communities will continue to apply to protect vulnerable people in those communities.
These are important measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our regional communities.
It is absolutely vital that Western Australians abide by these restrictions, to help protect themselves, their family and the wider community.
The State Government will provide more detail on how the restrictions will operate, and exact criteria for exemptions, before the restrictions come into force.
Business advice and support
(Gascoyne region-specific) Business Local Service delivered by RSM https://www.rsmbusinesslocal.com.au/
Tourism Western Australia
https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/Industry-support/Industry-resources/Pages/latest-info.aspx#/
Department of Health
https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Join our team!
Gascoyne Development Commission are looking for a Principal Regional Development Officer, based in Exmouth, to manage the delivery of specified strategic and complex projects that support delivery of the Commission’s objectives.
This person will foster effective consultative and collaborative working relationships and networks with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors, on matters related to investment and development of the region.
Applications close Friday, 3 April 2020.
For more information visit WA Jobs Board.
EOI to attend the World Indigenous Tourism Summit in Perth, 6-9 April
Gascoyne Development Commission views the development of cultural tourism as a regional priority with the potential to unlock significant and impactful Aboriginal economic development opportunities.
GDC is offering a unique opportunity to a Gascoyne resident to attend the World Indigenous Tourism Summit in Perth from 6-9 April 2020.
The conference is presented in partnership with the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) and will address the key issues and needs that impact on Aboriginal tourism around the globe and the opportunities that exist for culturally authentic Aboriginal tourism product, especially in the development, employment and training of Aboriginal people.
GDC is seeking expressions of interest from Indigenous persons based in the Gascoyne running a tourism business or who wish to enter the tourism industry.
Sponsorship will include transportation, meals, accommodation and registration fees.
If you are interested in attending, email Prosper Baeni by 5:00pm, 13 March 2020 with an expression of interest outlining your involvement in tourism and what you see as the benefits for you to attend the Summit.
CEO appointed to Gascoyne Development Commission
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan has welcomed the appointment of Tym Duncanson to lead the Gascoyne Development Commission.
An extensive recruitment process for the role was conducted by the Public Sector Commissioner, which included broad advertising and executive search components, following which the Public Sector Commissioner recommended the appointment.
Mr Duncanson has acted in the role of chief executive officer of the Gascoyne Development Commission since March 2019.
He previously led the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Land and Water Development team, and has worked in the private and public sectors in land management and forestry.
Tym has delivered strong results in the Gascoyne during his time as acting chief executive officer, leading new projects, a strong commission team and building critical relationships across the region.
DPC media statement: CEOs appointed to Wheatbelt, Gascoyne Development CommissionsLandmark decision to allow carbon farming on pastoral lands
The State Government will back carbon farming on pastoral leases for the first time in WA's history, allowing pastoralists to build resilience to climate change and improve pastoral productivity.
The decision follows the State Government's previous in-principle support for Human Induced Regeneration (HIR) carbon farming, which led to the registration of 43 projects through the national Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).
HIR projects support the regeneration of native vegetation through managing cattle grazing, which sequesters carbon and allows pastoralists to earn carbon credits.
The 43 carbon farming projects have contracted more than five million tonnes of carbon abatement via the Commonwealth Emissions Reduction Fund, which will provide approximately $70 million to pastoralists.
A further 15 million tonnes are expected to be sold directly to major greenhouse gas emitters who need to purchase carbon offsets.
The Minister for Lands has been given authority to provide State eligible interest holder consent to individual projects that meet the approved assessment requirements.
The decision follows extensive consultation with the mining industry, pastoralists and Aboriginal representative bodies.
Final consent from the State Government will be subject to measures aimed at enabling the growth of the carbon farming industry, promoting co-existence with the mining and resource sector and protecting native title rights and interests, including:
- A rolling five-year review of HIR carbon farming implementation, with input from stakeholders;
- Pastoralist must demonstrate engagement with registered native title body corporates;
- Mining leases, State Agreement areas and pending mining/general purpose/miscellaneous licences to be excluded from carbon project areas;
- State Government to compensate for loss of carbon production as a result of low impact mining/exploration activities;
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to develop guidance addressing Native Vegetation Clearing Permits in carbon estimations areas.
State Government to build a new artificial reef off Carnarvon
Recreational fishers and visitors to Carnarvon will soon be able to enjoy a unique and easily accessible fishing experience close to shore, with the construction of a new artificial reef.
The project has received $300,000 in funding from the State Government through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund.
The location of the nearshore reef will be determined through consultation with the recreational fishing sector, with a requirement that the reef be accessible for families using small boats.
The public consultation and tender process for the design and construction of the Carnarvon reef will be will commence in mid-2020, in consultation with Recfishwest.
The Carnarvon reef will be the eighth purpose-built artificial reef in Western Australian waters, with reefs already in place at Bunbury, Dunsborough, Rottnest Island, Mandurah, Exmouth, Esperance and another coming in 2020 to the metropolitan area.
Photo courtesy: Recfishwest
DPC media statement: Government to build a new artificial reef off CarnarvonCarnarvon Residential Aged Care Facility
Tenders for Carnarvon Residential Aged Care Facility are now open.
If you are interested in subcontracting on this exciting project, WA Country Health Services are keen to engage local businesses!
For more information refer to the Carnarvon Residential Aged Care Facility tender on the Tenders WA website.
If you would like to know more about Tenders WA, contact Local Content Adviser for the Gascoyne, Jill Dwyer, on 9941 7000.
Local Content Advisers assist the State Government to deliver on its 2017 election commitment to boost local content in State Government jobs and contracts.
The State Government is committed to building community sustainability and economic diversity by creating jobs in regional Western Australia.
DPC media statement: Tender to build Carnarvon aged and palliative care centre released
Land development opportunities in the Gascoyne
From time to time the State government releases land in the Gascoyne region to facilitate private investment and create new job opportunities.
Investment by developing strategic locations can substantially contribute to the State’s objectives such as regional prosperity, a liveable environment and a strong economy.
The Commission is interested to talk to investors about co-investment opportunities where there are clear public benefits associated with the development of the land.
For more information contact Tym Duncanson, Acting Chief Executive on 9941 7000.
The Carnarvon Justice Precinct at 85 Olivia Terrace has an area of 7422sqm and comprises the old police station, courthouse and two government residences. The land overlooks the Carnarvon Fascine and has road frontage on to Robinson Street in heart of town.
An opportunity exists to acquire and develop what has been claimed to be the best commercial/tourism development site in Carnarvon. The land is zoned for commercial use allowing many development opportunities.
For more information refer to the State’s agent Ray White Carnarvon.
The only suitably zoned land for a service station within Coral Bay town site is for sale. Once built it will be the only facility servicing the local community and visitors, with the nearest current alternative being Minilya, 98km to the south or Exmouth, 153km to the north.
45 Banksia Drive in on the southern edge of Coral Bay town site and on the road to the marina. The settlement of Coral Bay is located approximately 1200km north of Perth within the Shire of Carnarvon in the Gascoyne Region. It is situated at the southern end of the Ningaloo reef, a World Heritage listed area.
For more information refer to the State’s agent Ray White Carnarvon.
Current land opportunities
Commercial/tourism development site
The Carnarvon Justice Precinct at 85 Olivia Terrace has an area of 7422sqm and comprises the old police station, courthouse and two government residences. The land overlooks the Carnarvon Fascine and has road frontage on to Robinson Street in heart of town.
An opportunity exists to acquire and develop what has been claimed to be the best commercial/tourism development site in Carnarvon. The land is zoned for commercial use allowing many development opportunities.
For more information refer to the State’s agent Ray White Carnarvon.
Service station development opportunity
The only suitably zoned land for a service station within Coral Bay town site is for sale. Once built it will be the only facility servicing the local community and visitors, with the nearest current alternative being Minilya, 98km to the south or Exmouth, 153km to the north.
45 Banksia Drive in on the southern edge of Coral Bay town site and on the road to the marina. The settlement of Coral Bay is located approximately 1200km north of Perth within the Shire of Carnarvon in the Gascoyne Region. It is situated at the southern end of the Ningaloo reef, a World Heritage listed area.
For more information refer to the State’s agent Ray White Carnarvon.
Intensive horticulture development opportunity
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is offering approximately 20 hectares of unserviced and undeveloped land zoned ‘Intensive Horticulture’, for development. The land, on two separate titles, is located on Bibbawarra Road in the north plantations area, approximately 8km from the Carnarvon town centre.- Area 4 - Lot 51 on Deposited Plan 41505 approximately 11.39ha
- Area 5 - Lot 116 on Deposited Plan 202367 approximately 8.59ha
$1.25 million for job-creating projects in the Gascoyne
Nine projects across the Gascoyne that drive job opportunities, support tourism and build local arts and food experiences will share in $1.25 million through Round 2 of the State Government's Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The State Government has committed $28.8 million over five years towards the RED Grants program to support projects that will directly benefit regional communities and drive economic development in the regions.
Tidal Moon will receive $250,000 to support the Tidal Moon Sea Cucumbers project, which aims to develop a viable commercial sea cucumber business while maintaining cultural heritage and environmental stewardship in collaboration with Aboriginal communities, Mulgana (Shark Bay), Bayungu (Coral Bay/Exmouth) and Thalanyji (Onslow).
The funding will be used to assist in harvesting and drying wild sea cucumber.
Ngala Children's Services has been awarded $150,000 to construct a new day care complex in the heart of Denham, providing flexible, modern, safe and multipurpose childcare for children up to five years old.
Mandalay Holiday Resort will receive $125,000 to increase the capacity and quality of caravanning and camping experiences available in Denham and the greater Shark Bay area.
This involves the expansion of the Denham Seaside Caravan Park including an additional 55 powered caravan and camping sites, and introducing modern communal ablutions, games room and campers' kitchen facility.
Other projects supported include funding for glamping at Bullara Station, a project to develop better tourist facilities at Mt Augustus, and an expansion of Bumbak's Preserves and Ice-creams in Carnarvon.
DPC media statement: $1.25 million for job-creating projects in the GascoyneGwoonwardu Mia Aboriginal Cultural Centre re-opens
Gwoonwardu Mia - the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre in Carnarvon - officially re-opened today, following a $2.5 million commitment by the State Government.
The centre first opened in 2005 but was closed in 2015 due to concerns about management and financial issues.
The State Government has worked to reopen the centre to celebrate the region's Aboriginal heritage and culture and drive Aboriginal business development and tourism opportunities in the Gascoyne.
The State Government commitment provides an initial three years of operating funding, with the Western Australian Museum tasked with reopening and managing the Centre.
The Museum is working in partnership with local Aboriginal communities to put the Centre on a pathway to sustainability.
The Centre consists of conference rooms for hire, a café, gallery shop, an Emerging Art Centre facility, outdoor performance space, ethnobotanical gardens and grounds based on the region's plants and how they are used by local Aboriginal people, and a permanent interpretive exhibition which previously won a prestigious Museums and Galleries National Award.
'Burlganyja Wanggaya: Old People Talking - Listen, Learn and Respect' is an award-winning exhibition which shares the stories of the Gascoyne's Aboriginal people in their own words, using text, images, audio and film.
DPC media statement: Gwoonwardu Mia Aboriginal Cultural Centre re-opens
