City in spotlight

Promoting sustained growth in the South West was the key agenda item for the Nationals WA team that visited Bunbury earlier this week.

Regional Cities spokesman Ian Blayney was joined by Warren-Blackwood MLA Terry Redman and South West MLC Colin Holt as the trio met with the Bunbury City Council to learn the key issues impacting the regional city.

In August, the Nationals WA created the Regional Cities portfolio which shone a light on 11 regional cities.

“Today we met with the Bunbury council to find out what their aspirations are and learnt what investment and sustainability hurdles can be overcome to assist their development priorities,” Mr Blayney said.

“The South West is valued at $13.5 billion and attracts more than 2.5 million visitors annually, decentralisation can contribute to the great lifestyle and strong economies of regional WA,” he said.

South West MLC Colin Holt said population growth was fundamental.

“When you get people, you get services, restaurants, entertainment and more, but you need government policy to do it, so it is our aim to drive that,” he said.

“Good education outcomes, good health outcomes and good job prospects, that’s what people move for or why they don’t leave the regions.”

As well as reigniting Royalties for Regions, the Nationals WA are still pursuing the possibility of bringing a government department to the South West.

“The decision to not have the Department of Parks and Wildlife facility in Bunbury was a wrong one,” Warren-Blackwood MLA Terry Redman said.

“Every business in that main street of town that is going through some pain right now would be wishing there was an extra $25 million injected into the economy.

“It would be hugely beneficial to have a government department in the South West, and hopefully we can make that happen.”