PREMIER Mark McGowan used a Joondalup business breakfast on Thursday to launch an online portal to slash red tape and increase collaboration between small businesses and the State Government.
Streamline WA will enable small business and community members to submit their ideas on how to cut red tape, reform regulation, increase collaboration and encourage job growth, which will then be assessed and prioritised by a steering committee.
“We want to identify the problems and real world examples where red tape has caused troubles,” Mr McGowan said.
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READ NOWThe Premier addressed more than 230 members of the City of Joondalup’s local business community at the breakfast forum, titled Sharing Our Prosperity, at Joondalup Resort.
He said the State Government recognised the northern suburbs population was “growing hugely” with the north-west predicted to increase from 322,490 people in 2011 to more than 740,000 people by 2050.
“Catering for that is very important,” he said, mentioning the rail extension to Yanchep, freeway extension to Romeo Road, interchange projects, widening of Marmion Avenue, redevelopment of the Joondalup Health Campus and the Ocean Reef Marina project.
“You guys love marinas up here,” Mr McGowan said.
“Hillarys marina is the second most visited tourism site in WA after Kings Park and I’m sure Ocean Reef Marina will be just as popular.”
Mr McGowan also took part in a 20-minute question and answer session, which included how the City could capitalise on the recent move of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to Joondalup and if the State Government was supportive of the creation of a technology precinct in the City of Joondalup.
Mayor Albert Jacob said there were many notable areas of alignment between the State Government’s priorities and current City of Joondalup focus areas, including jobs creation, Asian engagement and international education, innovation and cyber security.
“The State Government has a target of creating 150,000 new jobs by 2023-24,” he said.
“Our own Joondalup Activity Centre Plan has an objective to grow employment in the Joondalup city centre to 45,000 jobs by 2050 and current jobs growth indicates we are on track to achieve that target.”
Mr Jacob also highlighted a recent delegation the City sent to China, which also included members of the Australian Medical Association, National Electrical and Communications Association, Bethanie, North Metro Tafe and Black Swan Health.
“A key objective of the delegation was for the City to assist its key stakeholders to achieve their business goals and to increase international trade between Joondalup and businesses in China,” he said.
“This has largely been achieved and the City’s delegates secured the required contacts and opportunities to take the next steps to directly engage with China, with minimal involvement from the City.”