Kimberley Regional Group of Local Governments

Access to facilities and services are critical for thriving regional communities with strong economies. Funding provided by the Federal Government to local governments through the Financial Assistance Grants is aimed to support Councils provide vital services for their communities, based on the principle of horizontal equalization which takes into consideration Council's different financial circumstances. Unfortunately the funding formula does not truly assess the cost of services and funding needed in vast, remote regions like the Kimberley. And unlike the metro area, if a service or facility is not available from your local Council in the Kimberley you can't jump in the car and pop in next door to the neighboring Council! The Kimberley Regional Group's new Position Paper on Financial Assistance Grants proposes improvements to the grant model which will deliver fairness and parity in the allocation of these grants. We urge the Federal government not only to increase the pool of funds for Financial Assistance Grants, but along with the State to revise the indexation methodology so people in remote and regional Australia can access the local government facilities and services that they need. For a copy of our Position Paper please visit https://lnkd.in/gmRfVSyx Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Lanie Chopping Hannah Beazley MLA Jim Chalmers Madeleine King Kristy McBain MP Regional Capitals Australia Regional Capitals Alliance Western Australia Paul Rosair Michelle Mackenzie Jane Lewis Jo Swan Shire of Broome Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Shire of Halls Creek Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Vernon Lawrence David Menzel Geoff Haerewa Elsia Archer Kimberley Development Commission Don Punch Northern Regional Development Australia Alliance - Northern Alliance Regional Australia Institute Liz Ritchie WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Australian Local Government Association Nick Sloan

Access to affordable housing is critical to attracting and retaining staff and supporting vibrant regions with strong economies. Multiple strategies are needed to address the regional housing crisis. Along with investment into new supply, ensuring that tax settings don't as act as a disincentive to housing investment is critical. The current structure of the FBT for housing acts as a disincentive for purchasing a home, providing the most benefit to employees for renting a home from their employer. It is not designed to incentivize employees to purchase their own homes. Simple amendments to the FBT will support increased supply by facilitating home ownership, leveraging private investment into housing supply. The KRG have released a Position Paper on FBT relating to remote housing, recommending that the Federal Government fully exempt both employer and employee-owned remote area housing from FBT, thus ensuring fair tax treatment regardless of property ownership. For further information on how FBT can be harnessed to incentivize home ownership in regional Australia please download our Position Paper at https://lnkd.in/gmRfVSyx Clare O'Neil Jim Chalmers Katy Gallagher John Carey MLA Rita Saffioti MLA Roger Cook Don Punch Kimberley Development Commission Northern Regional Development Australia Alliance - Northern Alliance Shire of Broome Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Shire of Halls Creek Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Regional Capitals Australia Paul Rosair Jane Lewis Michelle Mackenzie Emma Colombera Kath Snell Shelter WA National Shelter John Engeler Sam Mastrolembo Vernon Lawrence David Menzel Tamara Clarkson MBA Geoff Haerewa chris mitchell Mike Rowe Michael Barnes Michael Andrews Hal Pawson Steven Rowley Steve Martin MLC Broome Chamber East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce Stephen Jones Sean Macken

Visiting Canberra to advocate for our region is a critical part of KRG member's work. How good is the WA Hub! Having this Canberra base makes our time in the nation's capital more productive, and so much more enjoyable. Congratulations to everybody involved in the Hub's establishment - a fantastic initiative for people travelling from Western Australia to Canberra on business Vernon Lawrence Sam Mastrolembo David Menzel chris mitchell Paul Rosair Geoff Haerewa Tamara Clarkson MBA Don Punch Roger Cook Patrick Gorman Jane Lewis Michelle Mackenzie Shire of Broome Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Shire of Halls Creek Kimberley Development Commission

Its a wrap! Another successful Canberra visit to prosecute the case for targeted, increased investment across the mighty Kimberley to deliver sustainable growth and prosperity for all. With our proximity to Asia, strategic infrastructure, vibrant agriculture, pastoral and pearling sectors and growing resources sector, - and of course our iconic tourism destinations and Aboriginal enterprises, - the Kimberley is a great place to invest. KRG members spent time with Ministers and members of parliament to discuss our Kimberley Investment Prospectus and strategic opportunities to drive value creation and build national resilience. For further information on the KRG visit our website https://lnkd.in/g2xQYGnv Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Shire of Broome Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Shire of Halls Creek Paul Rosair Jane Lewis Michelle Mackenzie Vernon Lawrence David Menzel Tamara Clarkson MBA Geoff Haerewa chris mitchell Sam Mastrolembo Madeleine King Don Punch Melissa Price Perin Davey Dean Smith Kimberley Development Commission Elsia Archer Clare O'Neil Housing Australia Kimberley Land Council Broome Chamber East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce Sarah Crawford

As strong, united advocates, the Kimberley Regional Group actively engages across the political spectrum driving opportunities to enhance the rich diversity and livability of our region. Members were pleased to meet with Shane Love, Leader of the Opposition, to present the KRG Investment Prospectus and to champion regional development opportunities that will deliver prosperity for all. Further information on our Investment Prospectus, along with our Position Papers, can be found on the KRG website at https://lnkd.in/g2xQYGnv Shire of Broome Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Shire of Halls Creek Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley David Menzel Geoff Haerewa chris mitchell Sam Mastrolembo Vernon Lawrence Paul Rosair Jane Lewis Michelle Mackenzie Tamara Clarkson

The Kimberley Regional Group of Local Governments has launched its 2024 KRG Investment Prospectus, which aims to enhance the region's rich diversity and livability. The 2024 Investment Prospectus contains a range of enabling infrastructure projects developed by the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley, Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, Shire of Broome and Shire of Halls Creek to deliver sustainable long-term growth and prosperity. It is a great example of the collective work of the Kimberley Shires, which drives our vision to maintain and enhance the rich diversity and liveability of the Kimberley for its people and the world. The Shire of Broome looks forward to partnering with the KRG, State and Federal governments, businesses, industry, and the non-government sector to drive these initiatives. To download a copy of the KRG Investment Prospectus and Policy Positions, please visit the Kimberley Regional Group website https://lnkd.in/g2xQYGnv

The Kimberley Regional Group was proud to launch our 2024 KRG Investment Prospectus Enhancing the Rich Diversity & Liveability of the Kimberley, outlining the social and economic benefits of sustained and increased investment into Kimberley infrastructure and services, at the Rio Tinto Gelganyem Limited 2024 Kimberley Economic Forum organised by the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce The 2024 Investment Prospectus showcases a range of investment opportunities developed by the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Shire of Broome and Shire of Halls Creek to create prosperity and opportunity for all. It is a great example of the collective work of the Kimberley Shires and how we drive our vision to maintain and enhance the rich diversity and liveability of the Kimberley for its people and the world, focussed around our key pillars of Place, People, Prosperity and Performance. We look forward to partnering with Federal and State government, business, industry and the non-government sector, to drive these initiatives. To download a copy of the Prospectus, along with our Policy Positions please visit our website https://lnkd.in/g2xQYGnv Our proximity to South East Asia, abundant sunshine, land, water and wind, vibrant agricultural, tourism, resources and cultural sectors, and untapped human capital, provide enormous opportunities to drive innovation and sustainable regional growth across the Kimberley. With the right policy settings and investment, the Kimberley can deliver positive economic and social outcomes by driving exports, developing industries and creating new jobs, tackling climate change challenges, protecting our nation’s borders and by Closing the Gap. The KRG would like to congratulate Keda Bond and Kyra Reding from the Chamber for organising a great Forum with a range of speakers who shared their experience and expertise. Kimberley Development Commission Don Punch Madeleine King Hannah Beazley MLA Paul Rosair Jane Lewis Michelle Mackenzie Martin Peirson-Jones Natasha Aristei Stephen Dawson Dominique Reeves Melissa Price Neil Thomson Debra Goostrey Tamara Clarkson David Menzel Vernon Lawrence Sam Mastrolembo Elsia Archer Charles Berger Michele Pucci Tony Chafer Rita Saffioti MLA Roger Cook Office of Northern Australia Liz Ritchie Northern Regional Development Australia Alliance - Northern Alliance Regional Australia Institute Broome Chamber Sharni Foulkes Sarah Crawford

Another great day in Canberra promoting investment opportunities to deliver sustainable long term growth and prosperity across the Kimberley. Working collaboratively the Shire of Broome Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Shire of Halls Creek and Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley have developed an Investment Prospectus 2024/25 with a range of strategic, targeted projects to drive jobs and deliver enduring value for our region and the nation. To learn more you can download the Investment Prospectus at https://lnkd.in/gmRfVSyx Paul Rosair Jane Lewis Michelle Mackenzie Vernon Lawrence David Menzel chris mitchell Sam Mastrolembo Tamara Clarkson Geoff Haerewa Don Punch Kimberley Development Commission Michele Pucci Charles Berger Northern Regional Development Australia Alliance - Northern Alliance Elsia Archer Madeleine King Kimberley Land Council Patrick Gorman Melissa Price

Members of the Kimberley Regional Group are pleased to be in Canberra with the Regional Capitals Alliance Western Australia attending the Regional Australia Institute National Summit 2024 as sponsors. A great opportunity to spotlight the incredible economic opportunities across regional WA, and to advocate to the Federal government on key initiatives to deliver positive economic and social outcomes for the nation. And how good is the WA Hub as a place to do business! Roger Cook Patrick Gorman Shire of Halls Creek Shire of Broome Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Paul Rosair Michelle Mackenzie Vernon Lawrence David Menzel chris mitchell Tamara Clarkson Geoff Haerewa Sam Mastrolembo Kimberley Development Commission Don Punch Keda Bond East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce

Chronic housing shortages continue to have a devasting social and economic impact across the Kimberley. The Kimberley Regional Group of Local Governments held a Housing Roundtable bringing together industry, government and the NGO sector to focus on practical solutions to increase housing supply across our region. The Roundtable highlighted case studies of investment ready projects and identified housing opportunities which with the right policy settings from government, and place based partnerships, would make a positive impact on housing supply. We would like to thank the presenters Garrick Allen Department of Communities WA Emma Colombera Department of Treasury WA Stephen Land Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) Luke Bo'sher Housing Australia Megan Buckland DevelopmentWA Chris Smith GAICD Foundation Housing Ltd Charles Berger Kimberley Development Commission Also our sponsors Regional Development Australia Kimberley, the Kimberley Development Commission and Housing Australia and our host the Shire of Broome. Also the KRG Executive Team Paul Rosair Michelle Mackenzie Jane Lewis and Bec Billing for bringing the Roundtable together. We look forward to working collaboratively to develop a pipeline of housing projects and creating local training and employment opportunities so everybody in the Kimberley has a place to call home. John Carey MLA Clare O'Neil Jill Keeffe Keda Bond Carina Cooke Vernon Lawrence Amanda Dexter Laura Royce Clinton Nunn Elsia Archer Jane Murphy Anthea Whan Tyronne Garstone Ninielia Mills Prue Jenkins Sharni Foulkes Shelter WA Don Punch Joe Grande chris mitchell David Menzel