❓ Mr. Redman asks about the McGowan government's plans to support Busselton's economic growth, referencing a WAtoday article. The Premier responds by highlighting existing support through tourism initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and direct flights.
AnsweredQoN 1105Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BUSSELTON —
ECONOMIC GROWTH
1105. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Premier:
I just got this noise in the
background, Mr Speaker.
Mr T. Healy interjected.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : The only
thing he has, Mr Speaker, is a good name.
I
refer to the WAtoday article ''Give 10 regional towns 'priority
status' to power the economy'' and statements made by the chief executive officer of the Business
Council of Australia identifying Busselton as one of the top 10 regional centres with the potential to power the nation's economy. What is the
McGowan government doing to support Busselton being elevated as a region of
national economic significance?
ECONOMIC GROWTH
1105. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Premier:
I just got this noise in the
background, Mr Speaker.
Mr T. Healy interjected.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : The only
thing he has, Mr Speaker, is a good name.
I
refer to the WAtoday article ''Give 10 regional towns 'priority
status' to power the economy'' and statements made by the chief executive officer of the Business
Council of Australia identifying Busselton as one of the top 10 regional centres with the potential to power the nation's economy. What is the
McGowan government doing to support Busselton being elevated as a region of
national economic significance?
AnswerView source ↗
I am a strong supporter and a big
fan of Busselton. Indeed, I was in Busselton a few weeks ago and had a meeting
with the mayor, Grant Henley, an old Navy colleague. We had a good conversation
about some of the projects that the council
is working on in Busselton. We talked about Jetstar flying into the airport at
Busselton, which he was very pleased with. He is very pleased with the work
that the state government has done to secure Jetstar direct flights —
Ms L. Mettam : Not this state
government.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Yes; yes. The
former government left office three years ago. When the flights arrive, it will
be three years since it left office, so I do not know if the member for Vasse
is up with the times there.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : That is what has
happened there. He is very pleased with the actions that the state government has taken to secure the Busselton direct flights.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, as
you know, Busselton's economy has very much an important tourism focus.
Our international and interstate tourism efforts have resulted in Western Australia
leading the nation in the growth of tourism numbers. In the last 12 months,
visitor numbers to Busselton grew by 26 per cent, so our work around Australia
and the world has secured additional tourists. As the member would know, there
have been significant upgrades to Cape Naturaliste College, an important high
school in Busselton. Strangely enough, in 2008, I opened Cape Naturaliste
College as one of the many schools the then Labor government built in the
member for Vasse's electorate. The then member for Vasse was present
when I opened it. It was on a dramatic day, as I recall. As members would know,
we are spending, from memory, tens of millions of dollars to expand Cape Naturaliste
College. Indeed, when we build the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, we will be
undertaking some of the works on the Bussell Highway, which was never done—always
requested but never done before. I visited some of that work. The Bunbury Outer
Ring Road, of course, will have huge benefits for the people of not only the
south west, but also Busselton.
I am unaware of any WAtoday article,
but we will continue to support the people of Busselton, as we do all regional
communities across Western Australia.
fan of Busselton. Indeed, I was in Busselton a few weeks ago and had a meeting
with the mayor, Grant Henley, an old Navy colleague. We had a good conversation
about some of the projects that the council
is working on in Busselton. We talked about Jetstar flying into the airport at
Busselton, which he was very pleased with. He is very pleased with the work
that the state government has done to secure Jetstar direct flights —
Ms L. Mettam : Not this state
government.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Yes; yes. The
former government left office three years ago. When the flights arrive, it will
be three years since it left office, so I do not know if the member for Vasse
is up with the times there.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : That is what has
happened there. He is very pleased with the actions that the state government has taken to secure the Busselton direct flights.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, as
you know, Busselton's economy has very much an important tourism focus.
Our international and interstate tourism efforts have resulted in Western Australia
leading the nation in the growth of tourism numbers. In the last 12 months,
visitor numbers to Busselton grew by 26 per cent, so our work around Australia
and the world has secured additional tourists. As the member would know, there
have been significant upgrades to Cape Naturaliste College, an important high
school in Busselton. Strangely enough, in 2008, I opened Cape Naturaliste
College as one of the many schools the then Labor government built in the
member for Vasse's electorate. The then member for Vasse was present
when I opened it. It was on a dramatic day, as I recall. As members would know,
we are spending, from memory, tens of millions of dollars to expand Cape Naturaliste
College. Indeed, when we build the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, we will be
undertaking some of the works on the Bussell Highway, which was never done—always
requested but never done before. I visited some of that work. The Bunbury Outer
Ring Road, of course, will have huge benefits for the people of not only the
south west, but also Busselton.
I am unaware of any WAtoday article,
but we will continue to support the people of Busselton, as we do all regional
communities across Western Australia.
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