The Western Trade Coast (WTC) Industry Committee released the results of the WTC Integrated Assessment Study last week, revealing the region contributes $14.7 billion annually to the State’s economy.
The study by Sinclair Knight Merz and Resource Economics Unit found the WTC is the ‘most important industry centre in WA and probably the largest integrated industrial ecology in the world’.
However, the output was down by $1.3 billion on previous estimates in 2009/10 that flagged a $16 billion annual output.
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Committee chairman and Southern Metropolitan Region MLC Phil Edman said the study proved how important the WTC was to WA.
‘By investing in infrastructure and providing a secure environment for industry, the State Government has developed one of the world’s leading industry hubs,’ he said.
Mr Edman said the Government was pushing ahead with plans to legislate for a strict industry buffer zone to protect industry and the community.
‘Department of State Development are currently working on the way forward in regards to legislation,’ he said.
‘The buffer will be called the Western Trade Coast Protection Zone.’