Premier Mark McGowan today used a Joondalup business breakfast to launch the Streamline WA online portal, a new tool to slash red tape and increase collaboration between small businesses and the State Government.
The online portal enables small business and community members to submit their ideas on how to cut red tape, reform regulation, increase collaboration and encourage job growth.
A steering committee will assess proposals and prioritise reforms that improve regulatory practice, deliver benefits for business and the community, and encourage investment and job creation.
One of the Premier's key priorities is to create 150,000 new jobs by 2023-24. Streamline WA will assist by identifying and removing barriers for economic growth and job creation.
Perth's north-west area is predicted to increase from 322,490 people in 2011 to more than 740,000 people by 2050.
The McGowan Government's job-creating infrastructure and economic diversification plans are rolling out in the northern suburbs:
- METRONET: The Yanchep Rail Extension, which will extend the Joondalup train line to Yanchep, creating stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep, is on track with construction is expected to start later this year and will create approximately 1,300 jobs.
- Building roads and busting congestion: The McGowan Government is undertaking a program of major road upgrades including extending the Mitchell Freeway from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road; widening Wanneroo Road from Joondalup Drive to Flynn Drive; building the Wanneroo Road-Ocean Reef Road interchange and the Wanneroo Road-Joondalup Drive interchange, and dualling Marmion Avenue from Butler to Yanchep. More than 2,000 jobs are expected to be created across these projects.
- Improving access to affordable housing: The McGowan Government is partnering with industry to deliver a $394 million affordable housing package to complement METRONET and create 2,350 new jobs in the construction industry and associated sectors. Approximately 1,600 homes will be built within the Joondalup activity centre through Connect Joondalup.
- International education: Home to the Joondalup Learning Precinct, the City of Joondalup is well placed to encourage more international students. The McGowan Government's recent Budget included $4.5 million, over three years, to attract more international students to Western Australia.
- Putting patients first: The Joondalup Health Campus will undergo a $161 million redevelopment, in addition to the 12-bed stroke unit and mental health observation area that recently opened to provide better care for patients, closer to home.
- World-class infrastructure: Work is continuing on the Ocean Reef Marina development, with the State Government committing $120 million over the life of the project. The marina will create hundreds of local jobs during construction and through local businesses when it is open.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Joondalup is often called the second capital city of Western Australia for good reason - it is a hub of economic activity and over the next decade will continue to grow.
"Together with small business and local government, we want to work together to create new job opportunities and encourage economic growth to ensure a sustainable and exciting future for our northern suburbs.
"We want to ensure Joondalup residents have the long-term infrastructure and services they need - this is why we are undertaking major infrastructure projects, such as the Ocean Reef Marina development, to encourage more tourism and small business opportunities."
As stated by Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton:
"Joondalup is maturing as a city and is a great place to live and raise families, enjoy leisure activities and work.
"Stimulating economic growth, creating local jobs and ensuring residents have access to quality public services are my number one priorities as the Member for Joondalup."
As stated by Burns Beach MLA Mark Folkard:
"We have a lot of young families moving into the northern corridor and it's important they have access to all the infrastructure and services they need.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the northern suburbs continue to grow and work to deliver on our election commitments."
As stated by Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski:
"As a long-term northern suburbs resident, it is exciting to see all the activity and projects currently underway.
"Recent announcements in the 2019-20 State Budget show the northern suburbs are a priority for this Government - we are committed to delivering jobs, services and infrastructure in the northern corridor."
