News and updates

A new membership app called Gascoyne Local aims to support the region’s COVID-19 recovery by giving residents and visitors access to exclusive offers and discounts throughout the Gascoyne. For business owners, Gascoyne Local is a free marketing tool to increase customers and encourage repeat customers through rewards, connection and recognition. The Gascoyne Development Commission believe it’s more important than ever to support small businesses when buying products and services, however, research shows that consumers are more likely to shop local if there is an incentive. The app has two main features; a business directory and offers/discounts. The offers and discounts are set by the businesses, across a diverse range of categories such as food and drinks, services, health and beauty, attractions and activities, travel and accommodation, events and shopping. Gascoyne businesses who participate in the Gascoyne Local initiative will receive several free marketing opportunities through social media, radio and print. Gascoyne Local will be available for smartphones from Apple and Android app stores from next month, so we encourage businesses to register themselves and their offers now, in time for the launch. For more information, refer to the Gascoyne Local Business Prospectus. Register your business here. Gascoyne Development Commission have proudly partnered with the Shire of Carnarvon to produce Gascoyne Local.

The State Government will contribute $152,500 toward establishing a solar energy system at the Gascoyne Junction Tourist Park. The Park will operate a 50kW AC (PV) capacity solar energy system with 240 solar panels, which will partly offset the daytime power usage. The Gascoyne Junction Tourist Park was constructed in 2014 with financial support by the previous Government, however the community has been unable to meet the ongoing costs of operating the facility. The Shire of Upper Gascoyne has also committed $150,000 to the project. It is estimated the park will achieve a minimum 50 per cent supply from solar energy of total energy needs, significantly reducing the cost of providing power to the buildings. Estimated savings on future energy consumption costs to the park's custodian and the Shire of Upper Gascoyne are $35,000 per year. DPC media statement: Solar investment for Upper Gascoyne

The State Government is investing up to $6 million in regional projects to sustain jobs and build business resilience, opening round three of the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program today. The RED Grants program supports locally driven projects that contribute to the economic growth and development of regional Western Australia. The State Government has committed $28.8 million over five years towards the regional grants program. Round three RED grants will have a particular focus on projects which help sustain jobs, expand or diversify industry, build skills and capacity, attract new investment and maximise the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic impacts. Applications are now open and close on July 7, 2020. For more information about the RED Grants program, including guidelines and application details, refer to the Regional Economic Development Grants funding page. DPC media statement: Round three of RED Grants now open

This page will be regularly updated as more links and information become available.

WA Government information and advice

Continue to visit WA.gov.au for all updates on intrastate and interstate travel restrictions.

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Business advice and support

(Federal) https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business

(State) https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/coronavirus-covid-19-business-and-industry-advice

(Gascoyne region-specific) Business Local Service delivered by RSM https://www.rsmbusinesslocal.com.au/

Not for profit and community organisations

https://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/lotterywest/covid-19

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

https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/covid19-response

Jobs in WA Food & Ag

https://www.jobsinwafoodandag.com

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.

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.

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 Commissions

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.

Photo courtesy: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development DPC media statement: Landmark decision to allow carbon farming on pastoral lands

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 Carnarvon

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