❓ This WA parliamentary question seeks information on the South West Advanced Manufacturing Hub project, including its status, land acquisition, feasibility studies, expenditure, consultation, and reports. The answer provides updates on project phases, costs, stakeholder engagement, and report availability.
AnsweredQoN 565Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the South West Development Commission; Department of Jobs, Science, Tourism and Innovation; and the Advanced Manufacturing Hub: (a) What is the status of this project; (b) For this project, how much land to date has been: (i) Acquired; (ii) Leased; and (iii) Gifted in kind from Government; (c) Has the feasibility study been completed; (d) Will the feasibility study be released? If not, why not; (e) How much has been spent to date on this project? Please provide a breakdown of expenditure; (f) Regarding local consultation, who has been consulted by: (i) The South West Development Commission on the project since its announcement and when did that consultation occur; (ii) The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation on the project since its announcement and when did that consultation occur; and (iii) Paxon Consulting Group Pty Ltd on the project since its announcement and when did that consultation occur; and (g) Please table the Phase one – Preliminary Assessment Report on the South West Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub: (i) If not, why will the Minister not table this report; and (ii) Other than Paxon Consulting, who else helped to compile the report?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 November 2022
Responded by
Premier representing the Minister for Regional Development
Response time
10 days
(a-d) Phases one and two of the South West Advanced Manufacturing Hub project have been completed, incorporating industry consultation and the delivery of a preliminary assessment report.
Phase three is now underway and involves undertaking a full feasibility study and business case. The feasibility study will be informed by several background studies related to market demand, site options, education and skills, a cost benefit analysis and a detailed project plan. The full feasibility study and business case will be guided by the South West Advanced Manufacturing Hub Steering Group, comprising an independent Chair as well as key State government agencies, including the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Department of Treasury, South West Development Commission, Southern Ports Authority, Development WA and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
The full feasibility study is expected to be completed in Q1 of 2024 and it is anticipated that the key findings will be able to be released.
(e) As at 31 October 2022, $265,862 has been spent on the project:
Phase 1:
Consulting $80,841
Project management $6,967
Phase 2:
Consulting $178,054
(f) (i) In January 2020, the South West Development Commission held an Advanced Manufacturing Roundtable Meeting with 30 industry and government stakeholders. Participant feedback informed the feasibility assessment and confirmed industry demand.
Attendees represented:
· Office of the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLC
· Member for Bunbury
· AMWU
· City of Bunbury
· Shire of Dardanup
· Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia
· Regional Development Australia South West
· Bunbury Geographe Economic Alliance
· South West Development Commission
· Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
· Southern Ports
· Edith Cowan University
· URBNSURF
· BSC Solar
· Hoffman Engineering
· Prime Supplies
· Iluka Resources
· CIVMEC
· Piacentini & Son
· WesTrac
· Albemarle
· Talison Lithium
· Laser Electrical
· Geographe Enterprises
(ii) The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) has taken a strong, ongoing role in the process, and is working closely with the South West Development Commission to ensure the AMTECH priorities align with State policy.
(iii) On 23 September 2021, the Paxon Group (Paxon) was awarded the contract to conduct a preliminary assessment for the AMTECH feasibility study. This included a number of market sounding sessions between October – December 2021, with over 25 stakeholders across various industry sectors, Local, State and Federal Government and education providers.
(g) The Preliminary Assessment Report is publicly available on the AMTECH page of the South West Development Commissions website.
Phase three is now underway and involves undertaking a full feasibility study and business case. The feasibility study will be informed by several background studies related to market demand, site options, education and skills, a cost benefit analysis and a detailed project plan. The full feasibility study and business case will be guided by the South West Advanced Manufacturing Hub Steering Group, comprising an independent Chair as well as key State government agencies, including the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Department of Treasury, South West Development Commission, Southern Ports Authority, Development WA and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
The full feasibility study is expected to be completed in Q1 of 2024 and it is anticipated that the key findings will be able to be released.
(e) As at 31 October 2022, $265,862 has been spent on the project:
Phase 1:
Consulting $80,841
Project management $6,967
Phase 2:
Consulting $178,054
(f) (i) In January 2020, the South West Development Commission held an Advanced Manufacturing Roundtable Meeting with 30 industry and government stakeholders. Participant feedback informed the feasibility assessment and confirmed industry demand.
Attendees represented:
· Office of the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLC
· Member for Bunbury
· AMWU
· City of Bunbury
· Shire of Dardanup
· Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia
· Regional Development Australia South West
· Bunbury Geographe Economic Alliance
· South West Development Commission
· Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
· Southern Ports
· Edith Cowan University
· URBNSURF
· BSC Solar
· Hoffman Engineering
· Prime Supplies
· Iluka Resources
· CIVMEC
· Piacentini & Son
· WesTrac
· Albemarle
· Talison Lithium
· Laser Electrical
· Geographe Enterprises
(ii) The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) has taken a strong, ongoing role in the process, and is working closely with the South West Development Commission to ensure the AMTECH priorities align with State policy.
(iii) On 23 September 2021, the Paxon Group (Paxon) was awarded the contract to conduct a preliminary assessment for the AMTECH feasibility study. This included a number of market sounding sessions between October – December 2021, with over 25 stakeholders across various industry sectors, Local, State and Federal Government and education providers.
(g) The Preliminary Assessment Report is publicly available on the AMTECH page of the South West Development Commissions website.
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