Working Parties

The Commission has established a number of Working Parties to focus on specific interests across the region. A Commission Board Member chairs each working party with participation from key community, business, government and local government representatives.

Energy Working Party

Chair: Paul Tomlinson

Exec Officer: Pip Kirby

The Energy Working Group (EWG) has been set up by the Commission to strategically focus on electricity and other relevant energy related areas i.e. development of alternative energies.

The EWG facilitates improved planning and decision making for energy supply and development in the Wheatbelt region, and provides advice to the Commission and other State Government agencies on Wheatbelt-relevant energy related matters.

The EWG targets industrial and commercial supply of electricity and its key objective in this area is to foster strategic partnership with electricity infrastructure providers, the Regulator and regional stakeholders to maximise the potential for economic and social development.

The EWG also monitors state, national and global energy markets, developments and issues relevant to energy supply and development, as applicable to maximising development opportunities in the Wheatbelt region.

Health Working Party

Chair: Tracey Meredith

Executive Officer: Pip Shields

The Health Working Party (HWP) advises the Commission on health policy issues affecting the region and provides feedback regarding the health needs and issues throughout the Wheatbelt.  The HWP promotes collaboration and partnerships in health service delivery in the Region and identify appropriate strategies and priorities for planning and improvement of health services.

Marketing Working Party

Chair: Darren West

Executive Officer: Pip Kirby

The Marketing Working Party (MWP) works to raise the profile of the Wheatbelt region as a place to work and live.  The MWP has recently endorsed a collaborative, whole-of-region marketing plan which is to be implemented over the next two years.  This marketing approach aims to revitalise awareness of the diversity and lifestyle advantages the Wheatbelt offers to create a positive flow of interest, population increases and further private and public capital investment.

Education and Training Working Party

Chair: Helen Bennett

Executive Officer:    Pip Shields

The Education and Training Working Party (ETWP) works to promote partnerships and collaboration in the education and training sector in the Wheatbelt.  A priority of the ETWP is to promote the educational and training opportunities available throughout the region, and to support innovative projects that enhance community capacity through education.  A major problem facing the education and training sector is the attraction and retention of quality staff.  The ETWP is working with the Marketing Working Party to address this issue.

Local Government Working Party

Chair: Wendy Williams

Executive Officer:    Pip Shields

The Local Government Working Party works to promote partnerships and collaboration between local governments within the Wheatbelt.

Water Working Group

Chair: Paul Tomlinson

Executive Officer:    Pip Kirby

The Water Working Group (WWG) has been established by the Commission to strategically focus on water and related matters i.e. sewerage.  The WWG’s main objective is to develop partnerships with infrastructure providers, the Regulator and regional stakeholders to ensure the adequacy of water and sewerage infrastructure and services in the Wheatbelt.

The WWG facilitates improved planning and decision making for water and sewerage in the Wheatbelt region, and provides advice to the Commission and other State Government agencies on Wheatbelt relevant water and sewerage related matters.

The WWG also monitors state and national developments in relation to water and sewerage, as applicable to maximising development opportunities in the Wheatbelt region.

Planning / Land Release Working Group

Chair: TBA

Executive Officer: TBA

Since its inception, the Commission has lead and partnered in regional and strategic planning projects in the Wheatbelt.  In the 1990’s, both the Central Coast Strategy and the Avon Arc Strategy were driven by the Commission.

A revamped Avon Arc Strategy and a new Central Midlands Strategy have commenced, in partnership with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and the local councils of each area.

The Commission is involved only in strategic planning and provides an information bridge between regional development and statutory planning organisations.