Welcome to the Djilba 2021 edition of Inside Peel

Djilba is a transitional time of the year roughly coinciding with August-September, with some very cold and clear days combining with warmer, rainy and windy days and the occasional sunny day or two.

Xanthorrhoea (grasstrees), Agonis (peppermint trees), Acacia (wattles) and Banksia trees begin to flower in this season. Hardenbergia and Clematis climbers are still flowering. Plants with edible underground tubers start to push up new leaves in forested areas, indicating where a valuable food source can be found. The bright red fruits of the quandong (Santalum acuminatum) begin to ripen towards the end of Djilba, an important food source for thousands of years through to today.

Inside Peel provides information on regional priorities, current and emerging issues and RDA Peel activities to Government decision makers.

This artwork, located in Mandurah, was created by Noongar artist Peter Farmer and Little Rhino Designs and it represents the earth, reminding communities that they are part of a global community. It features six glass panels representing the six Noongar seasons and also represents the themes of societal changes, understanding and reconciliation advocated by Aboriginal leader Yaburgurt.

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Message from the Chair

New Deputy Chair Appointed

With a Federal Election due to be held by mid 2022 this edition highlights some of the major commitments RDA Peel will be seeking to facilitate the economic development of the region.

The Peel Region deserves its fair share of Government investment and deserves policy decisions that will ensure the Peels communities get their fair share, RDA Peel will be advocating for investment in the following projects.

Poor policy and program decisions create disadvantage in the region which impacts equally as a lack of government investment. This is clearly demonstrated in Peel’s high population growth areas that have been deemed ineligible for funding programs such as the Building Better Regions Fund.

Further and more recently the operations of all Medical General Practices and some Specialist Services in Mandurah and Pinjarra have been severely impacted through changes to Distribution Priority Areas which limits their ability to successfully attract qualified medical staff.

The expansion of the Peel Health Hub is essential to service the region’s health needs of young

people, adults, families and carers, particularly in the areas of mental health, alcohol and other drugs, assault, sexual abuse and family violence. Patient numbers at Peel Youth Medical Service (the GP practice that underpins the Primary Health Care being offered at the Peel Health Hub) have increased by 100% since opening in December 2018 with presentations increasing from 40% mental health and drug and alcohol related issues to over 80%.

RDA Peel has completed financial analysis outlining the substantial economic benefits of the Peel Trails Program to the region. Our

ultimate aim is to have a network of high-quality trails experiences connecting the region internally and connecting externally to Perth Hills in the North and Collie in the South to provide a globally unique attraction.

STEM Beyond Schools is a national first. This nationally unique program takes young people with STEM related career aspirations and provides them with mentorship, guidance and access to professional networks to maintain their interest and involvement in STEM, which is so important to the future of work in this country.

Jade Creevey, General Manager of Fairbridge WA and a Member of RDA Peel since 2019 has been appointed as Deputy Chair of RDA Peel to 30th June 2025. Holding a Master of Business Administration, Diploma of Public Relations and Diploma of Business Management,

Jade has proven a valuable asset to the Committee since her initial appointment and we are delighted this relationship will continue.

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RDA Peel Strategic Plan 2021-2025

The Peel Region’s stakeholders have endorsed the RDA Peel Strategic Plan 2021-25

The intent of the Plan is to provide Governments, stakeholders, potential investors and policy and decision makers with a better understanding of the region, its issues and its strategic priorities that will drive development and growth in a sustainable manner.

RDA Peel has developed a comprehensive process to identify, develop and advocate for the region’s strategic priorities, each of which will be underpinned by the provision of a robust evidence base to demonstrate its importance to improving the quality of life in the region.

The RDA Peel Strategic Plan 2021-2025 prescribes the proposed solutions to the region’s problems and opportunities, with each program setting out its related suite of initiatives and projects, and should be read in conjunction with the Peel Region Action Plan which:

• Prescribes key initiatives and projects for the region;

• Aligns these projects to Australian Government Regional Priorities; and

• Monitors development and implementation of the individual projects.

The RDA Peel Strategic Plan and related Action Plan can be viewed at www.rdapeel.org.au/economic-development

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WA Food Innovation Precinct

Currently under construction supported by the Australian Government’s Regional Growth Fund, the WA Food Innovation Precinct (WAFIP) will explore the creation of a unique brand, trademark and relevant industry certification, which will enable it to become the one-stop shop for WA’s agri-food community.

A landing pad for businesses and entrepreneurs, the Innovation Centre will be a hub of activity where individuals create new business collaborations, monetise their services, ideate on opportunities and expand their networks domestically and internationally.

In addition to co-working spaces for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, the Innovation Centre will connect vital services to food and beverage businesses. These vital services include• Asia focused export services;• Market and consumer testing;• New agri-technology transfer

and application programs;• Government related services;

and

• Business planning and financial services.

Recognising the need for the innovation focus to thrive, the R&D and Innovation Centre will build talent, new skills and capabilities through regular workshops, seminars and events.

The Precinct has established 10 key success measures to guide its ongoing operations:

• Optimal utilisation of the WA Food Innovation Precinct

• Industry (including local growers and producers) utilisation of the R&D, Innovation and Production facilities

• R&D Commercialisation (on-farm and post-farm gate)

• Research translation for industry

• Diversification of agri-industry into value-added

• Agri-business growth – investment, innovation and jobs

• Grow indigenous businesses, product and communities

• Export growth (volume

and value) and deeper international connections

• Stronger WA agri food and beverage brand

• Local jobs, workforce capabilities and student growth

The WA State Government has provided investment to create a common-use Food Technology facility at the Production Centre. The facility is intended to house advanced food manufacturing equipment that will assist primary producers and help food and beverage businesses develop, test and produce new and improved products.

Working alongside the R&D and Innovation Centre, businesses will be able to test market demand and buyers, allowing them to invest with confidence in new large-scale commercial production lines.

Economic modelling indicates that the Precinct may increase Western Australia’s food and beverage sector output between one the three percent in the first five years of operation.

Western Australian Food Innovation Precinct

The Western Australian Food Innovation Precinct is being developed in the Peel region to support Western Australia in building a robust and vibrant food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Specialised equipment and research and production capabilities will ensure the Precinct offers a substantial variety of technologies and processing methods, aimed at scientifically proving nutrition and traceability, and supporting the development of high value premium foods with extended shelf life.

The Precinct will create an enabling environment for Western Australian, Australian and global entrepreneurs, food companies and agri-enterprises to cost effectively network, research, develop, protype and market-test new value-added food products derived from Western Australian primary produce.

Stage one of the Precinct will see to the development of three bespoke facilities.

Food Production Innovation and Incubation Research and Development

This translates into between 17 and 51 new food businesses delivering benefits to the Western Australian economy, including;

• Growth in WA’s food and beverage sector output by between $110 and $330 million;

• Economic injection of between $245 and $737 million in other economy sectors;

• Direct job creation of between 169 and 506 jobs; and

• Indirect job creation of between 323 and 977 jobs.

The State Government and Shire of Murray have contributed to the Enterprise Support Program, where grants will be available to businesses to support access to innovation opportunities, leading-edge research capabilities, incubation space and technologies through the WAFIP.

Other key tenants at the WAFIP include:• Murdoch University, to run

the Research & Development Facility and deliver a Food Science and Nutrition Bachelor of Science degree;

• GrowHub have signed a lease to operate the WAFIP Innovation Centre - a one-stop shop for agribusinesses and entrepreneurs featuring co-working spaces, consulting services and industry support; and

• Spinifex Brewery, to run the WAFIP warehousing facility and establish their brewery at the precinct.

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federal electionrequestsKey Regional Priorities:

• Peel Health Hub Expansion• STEM Beyond Schools• Peel Trails Program

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Peel Health Hub Expansion

The Peel Health Hub (PHH) is a one stop shop for the health needs of young people, adults, families and carers in the Peel region, offering a coordinated response to health issues. This includes mental health, alcohol and other drugs, assault, sexual abuse, family violence, vocational training and family support services.

Building on the success of the Peel Health Hub and identified gaps in health services, Allambee Counselling and GP Down South in partnership seek to provide new services to further support women, children and their families in the Peel region. These services would be accommodated in an expanded PHH adjoining and linking to the existing facility and would build and expand on the highly successful Model of Care currently operating within the PHH.

Applicant: GP Downsouth

Project: Peel Health Hub Expansion

Government Investment Required: To be advised

Demand for services from the PHH has been much greater than expected and there is clear evidence of the need for additional services, particularly for those suffering eating disorders and women and families. WA health data shows that the Peel population has some of the highest rates of teen births, unemployment, heart disease, harm from drinking, smoking and other health risks. It also has a high incidence of domestic violence. Working together, Allambee and GP Down South wish to expand the current Peel Health Hub to provide an eating disorders clinic, women’s health services, forensic assessments for sexual assaults and a multidisciplinary service to respond to sexual abuse, assault and family violence.

Peel Eating Disorder Clinic

The Peel Health Hub Eating Disorder Clinic will involve an early intervention stepped care approach to eating disorders and provide key linkages and triage with community mental health, hospital and specialist mental health units. It will facilitate appropriate pathways of care for sufferers of eating disorders, focussing on early intervention and

prevention ensuring only those who absolutely need residential support and medical intervention are admitted to mental health beds at hospital facilities. It will provide crucial step up, step down support for sufferers on admission and discharge to/from residential and/or hospital based facilities. There are currently no dedicated eating disorder facilities outside metropolitan Perth and those that exist within the metropolitan area have extensive waitlists.

Peel Women’s Health Service

This service will provide health promotion, education, medical services, mental health counselling and advocacy to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged women living in our community including Aboriginal women, women with complex health and social circumstances who experience barriers to accessing health information and services such as refugee and new migrant women, LGBTQI+ and women with a disability.

Forensic Assessments for Sexual Assault

Women in the Peel region are currently required to travel to

Perth Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) in Subiaco to access forensic examination services following a sexual assault. In addition to the forensic consultation and early evidence collection the service will provide medical and psychosocial consultation, advocacy for clients to ensure continuity of specialised care and supported contact with police for those who choose to report the incident.

Multidisciplinary Service: Sexual Abuse/Assault and/or Family Domestic Violence

The development of a Multidisciplinary Service will improve the response to sexual

offending, child abuse and family violence by providing a range of agencies in the one building to provide a victim-centred, integrated and holistic response to victims of sexual violence, child abuse and family and domestic violence.

Clinical Care Coordination

Clinical Care Coordination is central to the Model of Care of the Peel Health Hub and is a resource available to all co-locators within the Peel Health Hub providing Advanced Access to treatment for individuals who present at the Peel Health Hub and do not know the service/s they require.

Initial engagement aims to; • reduce immediate distress;• maintain engagement; • prevent deterioration; and• improve mental health

outcomes.

This crucial service will be extended to provide support for the new services the expanded Peel Health Hub will provide.

The Business Case for the Peel Health Hub Expansion is currently being completed. This will inform the financial support required to implement the expansion.

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STEM Beyond Schools

Stem Beyond Schools has been developed by Peel Bright Minds, an RDA Peel initiative, to better prepare the Peel region’s young people for the future of work.

STEM Beyond Schools is a regional program that addresses Peel’s human capital challenges by engaging young people in ‘real-world’ learning experiences with the help of STEM mentors, role models and leaders.

Peel’s skill shortage is a major barrier to the region realising its aspirations as a prosperous region of agri-innovation, food manufacturing and water science. Currently, Peel’s most dominant industry is retail (13%), however research has shown that about half of the activities in retail can be automated using current, at-scale technology (McKinsey Global, 2017). While this number is alarming, the STEM Beyond

Applicant: Regional Development Australia Peel

Project: STEM Beyond Schools

Government Investment Required: $1,000,000 over 4 years

Schools program aims to raise local awareness for the career opportunities linked to new technologies and industries.

Growing the career aspiration of Peel’s young people is one way that STEM Beyond Schools addresses Peel’s employment challenges and low academic achievement. Currently, Peel students sit below the national standard (1,000) with an average ICSEA score of 986 (ABS, 2016) and nationally less than 10% of year 11 and 12 students are studying a STEM subject and students’ science and maths results are declining or stagnating (DESE, 2021).

Through alternative forms of STEM learning experiences, STEM Beyond Schools works to make STEM education and careers more attractive to young people.

STEM Beyond Schools comprises of three elements:

Trail Blazers

The centrepiece of STEM Beyond Schools Program is Trail Blazers, a science engagement and youth development initiative that aims to remove barriers and empower regional young people to not only pursue a STEM career but also learn the skills required to thrive in a dynamic work environment.

Trail Blazers is a six-month mentorship program which commences with an intensive five-night residential camp designed for STEM-curious people aged 13-17 living in the Peel region of Western Australia. The camp involves workshops, challenges and guest speakers with a focus on developing leadership skills, STEM knowledge and critical thinking.

Following the camp, participants receive ongoing mentorship and support for the duration of the six-month program. Participants have the opportunity to take part in STEM related volunteer opportunities, work experience and citizen science initiatives that provide them with ‘real-world’ experience. At the conclusion of the program a selection of participants are selected as youth science ambassadors, and have the option to become a mentor in future programs, as well as acting as an advocate for STEM and science engagement in their respective communities or schools.

We have been unable to identify any similar program operating in Australia. The Trail Blazers pilot will be held in January 2022 and with funding the program can be held twice per year during school holidays.

STEM Communication

The second element to the STEM Beyond Schools program is the promotion of STEM pathways and opportunities to foster a more aspirant culture in Peel. This initiative involves communicating and celebrating the value of STEM through the Curious Conversation podcast and a combination of digital media platforms. This initiative is about bringing together and connecting the community to the various STEM initiatives, citizen science and education opportunities available in the region to encourage innovation, upskilling and reskilling.

STEM Ambassadors

The third element of the STEM Beyond Schools program is the development of a network of STEM Ambassadors who provide advise to stakeholders on how to attract, deliver and make the most of STEM opportunities in the Peel.

As a collective, these Ambassadors will use their diverse array of expertise and experience to champion the importance of a community-wide approach to education and promote home-grown STEM solutions and innovations across education, industry and government.

With the gap between education and the demands of industry widening, STEM Ambassadors are the ideal way to influence the prioritisation of STEM at a high-level within the region.

The STEM Beyond Schools Prospectus can be obtained through contacting drd@rdapeel.org.au

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Peel Trails Program

As highlighted in the previous edition of Inside Peel, RDA Peel is leading the Peel region’s advocacy in attracting Australian Government investment of $30 million over 4 years to implement the Peel Trails Program.

The Program will:

Trail Network

Maintain, upgrade and develop a high quality trails network catering for all trail users and activity types.

Trail User Experience

Ensure quality trail user experiences, which will deliver social, economic and tourism benefits to the community.

Applicant: Regional Development Australia Peel

Project: Peel Trails Program

Government Investment Required: $30,000,000 over 4 years

Trails Infrastructure and Services

Deliver well planned and designed facilities and services appropriate to scale and significance of trails and clusters of trails, aimed at encouraging use of the trails network.

Governance and Management

Optimise governance and management structures across trail landowners, stakeholder groups and regional partners to ensure the Peel Region is positioned as a trails destination.

With economic analysis of the Program now completed the significant benefits of the Program are now clear.

The Peel Trails Program Prospectus can be obtained through contacting drd@rdapeel.org.au

Increase in participation in

physical recreation to reduce costs associated

with obesity and related health

conditions

Increased visitation to the region, length of

stay and associated visitor spend at local businesses

Environmental benefits achieved through limiting

access to sensitive areas

Value capture benefits of

assets located near the project

element

Increased opportunities

for the creation of new businesses and relocation of existing

businesses across the region

Increase in local procurement opportunities

A network of high quality trails across the region

Creation of training and employment opportunities

in trails upgrading, ongoing maintenance

and project element construction

activities

$30 million investment over 4 years

Output of $205.54 million

Gross value add of $71.61 million

Support for 129.5 full-time

equivalent jobs

$

GVA

Improvements in mental and

personal wellbeing associated with

increases in physical activity

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If you are involved with delivering a regional service or program RDA Peel can assist by:

Providing meeting rooms (from 2 – 16 people dependent on layout)

Connecting you with local networks

Providing you with a hot desk and centrally located secure location to operate from

Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your needs

Marketing your program or event to the community, business or stakeholders

Providing local intelligence

Providing introductions and arranging meetings with stakeholders

08 9530 4066

drd@rdapeel.org.au

6 George St Pinjarra WA 6210

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RDA Peel respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we work and live. We wish to pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and the contribution they make to business and innovation in the region.

rdapeel.org.au

drd@rdapeel.org.au

08 9530 4066

6 George St, Pinjarra, WA 6208

PO Box 7, Pinjarra, WA 6208