Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation - WA Recovery Plan projects

In July 2020, the Western Australian Government delivered the WA Recovery Plan. The $5.5 billion plan outlines how our state will bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19 to reposition itself as a thriving and innovative place in which to live, work, visit and do business.
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The plan has 21 priority streams, each underpinned by direct commitments, including investment, resourcing and programs of work. The scope is comprehensive, ranging from new technologies, local manufacturing and training to tourism, patient care and the environment.

The plan will create jobs and training opportunities for future industries, help restore business and consumer confidence, and rebuild the economy.  

The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation is responsible for a number of recovery initiatives in the plan. These are listed below: 

 

 

Regional aviation recovery

The regional aviation recovery initiative supports the delivery of increased regional aviation capacity and affordability during the transition back to commercially provided regional air services.

 

Rollout the WA Tourism Recovery Program to support industry survival and recovery

The $14.4 million WA Tourism Recovery Program will help Western Australian tourism businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to survive and recover. It includes the $10.4 million WA Tourism Recovery Fund and $4 million Tourism Business Survival Grant program.

 

WA Travel Agent Support Package

The department is administering the Western Australian Government’s $3 million support package for travel agents to assist with impacts of COVID-19. Western Australian travel agents are able to access support from the fund to help sustain their businesses as they deal with the impacts of COVID-19.

 

Ongoing implementation of the Australian Hotels Association Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Hygiene Training Program

We are administering funding to the Australian Hospitality Association (WA) to develop and deliver the COVID-19 Hygiene Training Program to hospitality businesses from 29 April 2020 for 6 months.

 

Tourism Attractions Case Management Framework and cross-government initiatives

Through the WA Government’s $1 million allocation, the department is providing collateral that supports potential proponents of significant tourism projects to understand and navigate the regulatory landscape and approval processes.  

 

Dampier Peninsula: Upgrade existing campgrounds and day-trip facilities to Camping with Custodians status and development of a new Camping with Custodians campground

The department is facilitating the construction of unique and high quality camping facilities on Djarindjin Roadhouse and the upgrade of two existing campgrounds on the Dampier Peninsula, with total investment by the WA Government of $3.8 million.

 

Murujuga Tourism Program – Living Knowledge Centre Tourism Precinct

In collaboration with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, we are delivering the Murujuga National Park Access Road, the first stage of the Murujuga Tourism Program’s Tourism Precinct development on the Burrup Peninsula in Karratha. Once completed, the operational workforce will be locally sourced with a large focus on Aboriginal employment outcomes.

 

Explore opportunities for local industry participation in windfarm supply

A feasibility study into producing wind turbine components locally will be developed. The study will explore the feasibility of increasing local manufacturing in WA and creating a pipeline of work for years to come.

 

Local Capability Fund to support PPE manufacturing and business recovery

The department is administering the $10 million package from the WA Government to boost local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and increase the supply of locally made personal protective equipment.

 

Lead a pre-feasibility study for the manufacture of iron ore wagons

We are convening an Iron Ore Railcar Wagons Manufacturing Action Group to develop a report to study ways to facilitate steel fabricators to set up in the Pilbara, including the costs, benefits and feasibility of a common use facility and Strategic Industrial Areas (SIAs).

 

Supporting small and medium enterprises to deliver on local jobs

The department is administering $4.8 million additional funding from the WA Government for the Local Capability Fund and $1.1 million to establish new positions within the Industry Link Advisory Service.

 

WA Jobs Act Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS) amendments

We are delivering amendments to the WAIPS policy. WAIPS is the practical expression of the government’s priority for the creation of employment, skilling and local sourcing benefits from government agency procurement. Areas of amendment include requiring agencies to maintain a look ahead list for WAIPS supply items, introducing training modules covering procurement policies and practices for regional businesses, and refining the concept of regional strategic projects to give additional focus to regional sourcing and community benefits.

 

WA universities COVID-19 research

The department is administering $5 million from the WA Government in grants to the state’s universities to undertake COVID-19 research.

 

Fast-track infrastructure development at the Australian Maritime Complex (AMC) to expand our defence capability

The department is fast tracking three projects from the AMC Strategic Infrastructure and Land Use Plan.

The AMC is an industrial area serving the manufacturing, fabrication assembly and maintenance needs of the marine, defence and resources industries. To ensure Western Australia is ready to support this future naval work and optimise defence investment, it is critical that AMC infrastructure matches the current and future requirements of the Commonwealth Department of Defence.

 

Resource sector priority initiatives

We are facilitating resource sector priority initiatives that are focused on pursuing new opportunities for economic diversification, development and jobs growth by building on WA’s existing strengths in both mining and oil and gas. A total of $5 million over four years will be spent on three initiatives to support the achievement of these goals (Future battery and critical minerals industries, the LNG Jobs Taskforce and the National Energy Resources Australia partnership).

 

Investment in cathode active manufacturing industry

We are administering a $13.2 million incentive allocated by the WA Government to attract investment into cathode active materials manufacturing and supporting Western Australia’s participation in global battery supply chains.

 

Call Centre Attraction Package

The department is facilitating the Call Centre and Back Office Processing Scheme to provide financial assistance to new and existing operators in the sector to support the setup or expansion of operations in Western Australia, creating local jobs and growing sector capacity.

 

WA renewable hydrogen initiatives

We are fast tracking the implementation of the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy through an additional $13.3 million Western Australian Government commitment.

 

Activate heavy industrial land to support existing and future heavy industrial projects (Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area entrance road project)

This initiative seeks to activate heavy industrial land by providing funding for infrastructure to deconstrain heavy industrial land in the Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area in the Pilbara.

 

Develop a targeted supply chain opportunities and investment attraction strategy to proactively seek investment in priority supply chains

The department is developing a Supply Chain Opportunities and Investment Attraction Strategy for Western Australia. The purpose of the strategy is to grow the capability, competitiveness and participation of WA businesses in the domestic and international supply chains of established and emerging industries and support the reconfiguration of local supply chains impacted by COVID-19.

 

Progress the development of resource sector export hubs to help SMEs get export-ready and be more internationally competitive

The deaprtment is supporting the establishment of two resource sector export hubs in WA. Austmine’s Western Australian Mining Equipment, Technology and Services Digital Mining Export Hub will build export capacity, knowledge and opportunities. The Subsea Export Hub will assist Western Australian subsea SMEs access the global oil and gas industry supply chain which will create local jobs.

 

International Education Advisory Group COVID-19 recovery and renewal plan

A pillar of the WA Government’s response has been the establishment of the Western Australian International Education Advisory Group. We are supporting the group to develop an International Education Recovery and Renewal Plan to build the resilience of the sector so that it emerges from the pandemic in a position of strength. The plan is designed to support the entire WA international education sector, which encompasses schools, VET providers, and higher education organisations that deliver qualifications to international students through onshore and offshore delivery.

 

Expand the offshore delivery of our curriculum to build the pipeline of future onshore international students

The deaprtment is supporting the expansion of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s (SCSA) offshore delivery of WA curriculum to create a pipeline for future international education enrolments.

 

New Industries Fund to support start-ups and SMEs impacted by COVID-19

We are administering $1.19 from the New Industries Fund to support start‑ups and SMEs in this sector.

 

WA space industry

The department is supporting the development of the WA space industry through an additional $4.5 million funding allocation from the WA Government over the next two years. The WA space industry is developing rapidly and has the potential to assist jobs growth, economic recovery and diversification, innovation and inspire a passion for STEM.

 

Defence West

Through the WA Government’s $16 million allocation over the next five years, Defence West will continue to deliver its program of work, which includes implementation of actions from the WA Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan.

 

Westport Taskforce (Stage 2)

Through the WA Government’s $1.9 million allocation over the next three years, the department will contribute to the next phase of work on Westport, which includes economic development advice and technical work on the port and supply chain links to determine impacts on existing land and infrastructure.

The WA Government endorsed the Westport Taskforce’s recommended option for the state’s next primary container port to be a land-backed port in Kwinana in the vicinity of Anketell Road. On 10 August 2020, the WA Government also announced a further allocation of $97.2 million to progress the recommended option to a Stage 3 Business Case to Infrastructure Australia. 

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