Published on Saturday, 1 June 2013 at 12:00:00 AM
Onslow developments and opportunities were firmly on the radar on Friday, May 25, 2013, when Premier Colin Barnett visited the town.
The Premier’s stay included a visit to the Wheatstone Operational Village followed by a meeting at the MPC and tour of the Onslow town with Frank Ludovico, A/CEO Shire of Ashburton and Amanda O'Halloran, Executive Manager of Strategic & Economic Development.
Key topics discussed during the visit included Royalties for Regions, the many impacts of water and power supply issues, and long term benefits for Onslow.
Ms O’Halloran asked the Premier about his instrumental role in the success of the Onslow Salt project back in 1999, and how that vision has really shaped the town’s future.
“When Onlsow Salt happened, I don’t think we could have anticipated the Wheatstone project at the time,” said the Premier. “But of course now, along with BHP’s Macedon project, there’s no doubt that the North Ashburton Industrial Estate will become very important to the state, and particularly for Onslow,” he said.
“I think it’s far enough out of town that it won’t change the character of Onslow, and I hope while it was perhaps a sleepy fishing village, that it does keep its character as a coastal town and as a very historic town for the state.”
“For current and future generations in Onslow, these new developments will bring great opportunities for residents to obtain new skills, while also providing benefits for local businesses, from catering to earthmoving and maintenance,” said the Premier. “I think anyone in Onslow who wants a job, is prepared to do the training and prepared to do the work will have a job and a fantastic career.”
Ms O'Halloran welcomed the Premier's visit to discuss current developments and challenges the Onslow community is facing. "There are some very innovative projects that the Shire is managing which are attracting international recognition, such as the Onslow Aerodrome," said Ms O'Halloran. “However, we continue to face challenges including water and power supply to enable land release and to ensure good, sustainable investments into community infrastructure that will benefit the town longer term."
Read the full article in Inside Ashburton
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