- Cook Government delivers on major economic
diversification commitment
- $148.4 million allocated to 40 ground-breaking
projects through the Investment Attraction Fund
- Projects to drive jobs in green energy, mining
services, primary industries, health sciences and other priority sectors across
regional and metropolitan WA
- Successful projects build on WA's existing
strengths and future opportunities
The Cook Government is
charging ahead with its plan to diversify Western Australia's economy, with a
massive $148 million funding injection to 40 innovative, job-creating projects
across the State through its signature Investment Attraction Fund.
The Investment Attraction
Fund was a key 2021 election commitment as part of the WA Jobs Plan, providing
funding for projects in priority sectors that create local jobs, build on WA's
economic strengths and embrace future opportunities.
The 40 successful
recipients will receive $148.4 million in grant funding, with projects spanning
eight priority sectors: defence industries; energy; health and medical life
sciences; international education; mining and mining equipment, technology and
services; primary industries; space industries; and tourism, events and
creative industries.
The funding injection
supports a whole array of projects across the State, including:
- A pilot plant to produce high purity alumina for
high-tech battery cells;
- Establishing a renewable diesel biorefinery in
Narrogin;
- Advanced manufacturing of medical biosensors to
prevent complications during childbirth;
- A high-performance computing campus in Geraldton;
- Establishing a brewery, restaurant, bar and
family-friendly venue at Cable Beach;
- An expansion of Stanley College's capacity to
take on international students; and
- Establishing a value-adding dairy facility and
tourism offering in the Swan Valley.
Premier Roger Cook made
the announcement today at Pacific Energy's facility in Perth – with Pacific
Energy to receive more than $2.4 million to expand their capacity to
manufacture renewable energy Stand-alone Power Systems.
The expansion will
support the company to double the number of Stand-alone Power Systems it
manufactures each month, creating more than 40 local jobs and helping to
transition regional and remote communities to a cleaner, reliable and
affordable energy future.
More than half of the 40
successful projects are located in regional WA or have State-wide operations,
while the remaining 19 are located in Perth.
More than 200
applications were made for funding support through a rigorous two-stage
application and assessment process for the Investment Attraction Fund.
More information and a
full list of recipients is available at: https://www.investandtrade.wa.gov.au/opportunities/investment-attraction-fund
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My Government is
committed to securing the State's economic prosperity now, and for generations
of Western Australians to come.
"Through the Investment
Attraction Fund, we're driving a strong and diversified economy that delivers
secure, quality jobs for the future.
"We're building on WA's
economic strengths, and embracing new and innovative industries – positioning
our State at the forefront of the global energy transition.
"We're backing local
companies to manufacture here in WA, to value-add, and to take on the world in
developing high-tech products for the future.
"I'm proud to lead a
Government focused on the future – and making sure jobs and the economy remain
strong."
