Andrew Hastie: ship building announcement ‘good for Peel’

CANNING MHR Andrew Hastie said the announcement WA was on track for the creation of more than 33,000 jobs in the south metropolitan region would have a ripple effect throughout the region.

Austal Ships, operating out of Henderson, has received first and second pass approval for construction and maintenance of up to 21 replacement steel-hulled Pacific Patrol boats.

Mr Hastie said the coastal and interior communities of the Perth CBD were growing rapidly and the shipbuilding contract was a step in the right direction.

As well as the Federal Government’s shipbuilding program, Premier Colin Barnett recently announced the State government would provide $49.3 million through Royalties for Regions for Nambeelup Business Park.

“Once completed, the Transform Peel project will create more than 33,000 jobs for Canning residents and is expected to have an economic output of $16.2 billion,” Mr Hastie said.

“By creating a new economy in the heart of the Peel region, this project will hopefully facilitate a cultural shift away from a reliance on the CBD.

“Farmers, families and workers have traditionally had to travel long distances to access the services they need.

“The Transform Peel project, in particular the Nambeelup Business Park, will enable them to recover some of that lost travel time by bringing these services to their doorstep.’’

The Nambeelup Business Park will create jobs through the development of new and diverse industries including agri-food and agri-processing and transport and logistics.

It will also be home to some general and light industries as well as provide a space for commercial and retail developments.