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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 3016 asked in the Legislative Council on 25 June 2020 by Hon Colin Holt

Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

(1) I refer to Collie Futures Industry Development Fund funding of $2 million to WesTrac – Autonomous Technology Training Centre, and I ask:
(a) how much of the grant has been spent so far;
(b) has a site been located;
(c) what work has occurred on site;
(d) if work has not commenced, when is the work due to begin;
(e) when is work likely to be completed; and
(f) when is the full project due to be completed?
(2) I refer to Collie Futures Industry Development Fund funding of $777,650 to Bluewaters Farm Holdings – Industry Technology Centre, and I ask:
(a) how much of the grant has been spent so far;
(b) what work has occurred on site;
(c) if work has not commenced, when is the work due to begin;
(d) when is work likely to be completed; and
(e) when is the full project due to be completed?
(3) I refer to the various grants available for the electorate of Collie-Preston, and I ask:
(a) referring to the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund grants:
(i) how many applications were unsuccessful in Round 1;
(ii) were unsuccessful applicants encouraged to apply for Round 2;
(iii) when will applications for Round 2 close;
(iv) when will successful applicants for Round 2 be announced;
(v) can the Minister confirm that part of the criteria is that "projects applying to this fund must have an impact on the regional economy within a journey-to-work zone of up to 50 kilometres from the Collie townsite"; and
(vi) if yes to (v), how many applicants were unsuccessful for Collie Futures Industry Development Fund but within the following radii from the Collie Town Centre:
(A) 10-20km;
(B) 20-30km;
(C) 30-40km; and
(D) 40-50km;
(b) referring to the Collie Futures Small Grants Program:
(i) how many applications were unsuccessful in Round 1;
(ii) were unsuccessful applicants encouraged to apply for Round 2;
(iii) when will applications for Round 2 close;
(iv) when will successful applicants for Round 2 be announced;
(v) can the Minister confirm that "Funding for events will be considered where they demonstrate an economic benefit the Collie region (50km)"; and
(vi) if yes to (v), how many applicants were unsuccessful for Collie Futures Industry Development Fund but within the following radii from the Collie Town Centre:
(A) 10-20km?
(B) 20-30km?
(C) 30-40km?
(D) 40-50km?

Answered on 10 September 2020

(1)        (a)        $1 800 000

(b)       Yes

(c)        Purchase of autonomous haul truck, Information Technology (IT) equipment, software installation, security equipment and classroom equipment.

(d)       Not applicable.

(e)        The work is completed.

(f)        The project is completed.

(2)        (a)        $777 650

(b)       Civil and building infrastructure to accommodate entry roads, parking, buildings, power, waste and wastewater disposal infrastructure, and security fencing necessary to establish an autonomous vehicle training centre.

(c)        Not applicable.

(d)       The work is completed.

(e)        The project is completed.

(3)       (a)       

(i-iv)    The Collie Futures Industry Development Fund is a $18 million rolling fund with no funding rounds. The program will close once program funds have been exhausted. The program includes a two Stage application process. Stage 1 includes the submission of a project proposal for consideration. Projects that meet all eligibility criteria and strongly address the outcomes and requirements of the program, are invited to Stage 2 full business case development. Funding announcements are made once Ministerial approval of the business case has been received. Unsuccessful applicants are provided with feedback by the SWDC and JTSI as appropriate. They are given the option to resubmit an application should they choose.

(v-vi)   Yes, an eligibility pre-requisite of the Fund, as outlined in the program guidelines is that projects are required to be delivered within a 50km radius from the Collie Townsite. To date, there have been 2 unsuccessful applicants from within the 50km radius and therefore were not invited to submit a Stage 2 business case.

(b)

(i-iv)    The Collie Futures Small Grants Program is a $2 million rolling fund with no funding rounds. The Program will continue until 2022 or until all funding has been exhausted. Funding announcements are made once Ministerial approval has been received. Announcements are generally made shortly after approvals. Unsuccessful applicants are provided with feedback by the SWDC. They are given the option to resubmit an application should they choose.

(v)             Yes, in the Guidelines, under Objectives of the Program, it states “Funding for events will be considered where they demonstrate an economic benefit the Collie region (50km).”

(vi)             Yes, an eligibility pre-requisite of the Fund, as outlined in the program guidelines is that projects are required to demonstrate an economic benefit within a 50km radius of the Collie Townsite. To date, there have been 32 unsuccessful applicants from within the 50km radius of the Collie Townsite.