22/8/03
A $20,000 State Government grant will enable better public and investor access to Western Australia's Outback Resource Atlas (ORA).
Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens said the Internet-based atlas aimed to incorporate extensive information about Western Australia's Southern Rangelands, which covered pastoral land in the Gascoyne, Mid-West and Goldfields-Esperance regions.
"The atlas will become a valuable resource for potential investors or development proponents who are considering tourism, mining or agricultural projects," Mr Stephens said.
"It will also help organisations providing services and local residents people who live in these areas.
"So far, it includes information about land use and tourist numbers; soil, water and climate conditions; transport and energy infrastructure; and hospitals, schools and demographics.
"Currently, this important resource can only be accessed by trained staff in a limited number of Government offices.
"The new funding will enable development of CD and public access Internet versions which will make the atlas more widely available."
Mr Stephens said the atlas had been developed as part of the $45million Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, a joint State/Commonwealth initiative, and consolidated the information resources of many different Government agencies.
More information about the atlas is available from Department of Agriculture and Regional Development Commission offices.
Funding for the public access component will be provided through the State Government's WA Regional Initiatives Scheme (WARIS), which supports cross-regional projects that attract investment, increase jobs, improve skills and access to services.
Mr Stephens said the third round of WARIS funding applications were currently being considered and a further round of applications would be sought in 2004.
More information about WARIS is available from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and Regional Development Commissions in the three regions.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
