Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel highlights city’s growth potential in opening address at innovation conference

Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel believes the South West needs to be ready for the growth opportunities coming the region’s way. Opening the Innovative Industries of the Future Conference at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, Mr Miguel spoke about the transformation of the city over recent years — and future opportunities. Achievements included investments from the State and Federal governments — for the Wilman Wadandi Highway and the Koombana Bay Foreshore development — as well as private investment in the city, including that from Piacentini & Sons. “I was there when they launched one of their new machines recently — quite a big truc. They are the only ones making these things and they are shipping them all over the world, right here from Bunbury across Africa, across the US and across Europe,” Mr Miguel said. “V&V Walsh have just completed a $50 million new facility out there employing 400-plus people in our region. “These things are happening, it is ongoing and there’s opportunities for people so see these opportunities and go ‘let’s do that’. We know that’s the only way the place is going to grow, is with those job opportunities.” Mr Miguel said the city’s recent housing price growth was a sign of confidence, but acknowledged work was needed on keeping up with housing stock. “If (the wind farm development) is something that continues in this region, we are talking thousands of workers in the region for construction and obviously thousands will continue working on it when it finishes,” he said. “We need to make sure as a region that we are in a position to be ready for that. The opportunities, the what if, is what we’re all here to talk about.” The South West Development Commission is behind the inaugural event, with acting chief executive Ashley Clements describing the region as an ideal place from which to conduct business with the world. He said conference would aim to spark conversations about international trends shaping local economies and jobs. “We want to drive strong regional communities and economies that create jobs as part of a sustainable future that requires a diversity of industries, businesses and projects equipped with an eye to the future, but also a global perspective,” Mr Clements said. Regional Development Minister Don Punch used his speech to launch the State Government’s A Taste of the South West food and capability guide, which features 114 businesses from across the region. He said the conference was about exploring possibilities. “It’s about listening to the ideas and the thinking that are coming out from various thought leaders, critically evaluating that and thinking about the what ifs, because the most important thing that we need out of this is generating that collective leadership in addressing what our collective challenges are,” Mr Punch said.