The McGowan Government will fund two major land and freight transport studies to help pave the way for future investment in regional development and business opportunities for Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Funding of $150,000 has been allocated to undertake the Kalgoorlie Boulder Industrial Land Services Infrastructure Study of land identified for downstream minerals processing on Lots 101, 350 and 500 in West Kalgoorlie.
This will be a high-level review of essential services including power, water and telecommunications infrastructure as well as land tenure, planning and environmental assessments.
Another $150,000 will fund the Kalgoorlie Rail Freight Study to analyse freight volumes within Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the region.
The study will examine the current freight industry and trends including sector segments, volumes and current capacity versus freight demand. It will capture information on current throughput of product at existing facilities, including volume, product and frequency, as well as supply chain movements and associated costs.
Both studies will be led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, working closely with the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission, Department of Transport and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The McGowan Government is supporting our regions by investing in a range of exciting initiatives, particularly those which lead to the creation of local jobs and economic growth for Western Australia.
"Late last year, we announced the decision by Lynas Corporation to progress a rare earth processing plant near Kalgoorlie which is expected to generate 500 construction and 200 ongoing jobs in the region. The State and Federal Governments are providing major project support to this proponent.
"We are committed to leveraging this exciting project and assessing our regional infrastructure needs to ensure we are best placed to support future development opportunities in this important region."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn:
"Our plan for jobs in the Goldfields is continuing to succeed and these projects will drive growth in the region.
"The long-term success of the Goldfields depends on diversification of industries and keeping a keen eye on opportunities, and I can see the important work Minister MacTiernan has been doing in this space.
"The data collected will spark the beginning of many exciting new opportunities for our region."
