Western Australia

Perth will soon to be home to a national consortium aiming to capitalise on locally developed robotic technologies for space exploration, such as mining for water on the moon. The venture could inject $200 million per year into the local economy in five years’ time according to PwC’s estimates. The not-for-profit consortium AROSE (Australian Remote … Continue reading Perth makes bid for slice of new generation space race pie →

A number of projects in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt have received funding to streamline their manufacturing processes, including to construct new warehouses, processing facilities and to purchase equipment. “The government is investing in new projects across the Wheatbelt to increase local manufacturing capability, drive innovative new agricultural opportunities and showcase the region through tourism,” Regional Development … Continue reading WA boosts agricultural manufacturing in Wheatbelt →

Innovative small and medium  enterprises (SME) in Western Australia are taking part in a cross-sector technology capabilities exchange called the Quantum Technology Exchange initiative (QuantumTX) to support the Australian space industry. “Australia’s ambitions to lead the next decade and beyond of technology innovation to support the global space industry should be limitless,” CEO of NERA, … Continue reading WA-based SMEs solving space sector challenges →

A facility to separate the rare earths extracted from the Mt Weld mine, which are essential for wind turbines and electric vehicles, will soon be built. The Mt Weld mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, is one of the largest producers of rare earths in the world, but the material extracted from the site is currently … Continue reading New facility to bring rare earths value-adding on-shore →

Alcoa’s bauxite mines and alumina refineries in Western Australia have received a sustainability certification, after a comprehensive, third-party audit. “This recognition validates the strong commitment we have to responsible and sustainable production and to working with our stakeholders to deliver long-term value,” Alcoa’s executive vice president and chief external affairs officer, Michelle O’Neill, said. “It … Continue reading Alcoa’s WA operations win sustainability certification →

Western Australian clothing manufacturer, Sea to Summit, will provide $30 million of equipment to the Australian Army. The Standing Offer Deed between the Army and Sea to Summit includes shelters, sleeping bags, adventure training, hand tools, and personal protective equipment for ADF personnel in Australia and overseas. According to Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, the … Continue reading Defence selects WA business as equipment supplier →

A new ferry in Perth has been built locally and will enter service before the end of the year. Built by Dongara Marine, a Port Denison-based shipbuilder, the ferry is named after Perth Zoo’s 62-year-old Asian Elephant, Tricia. Selected through a popular vote, the now MV Tricia will run between Elizabeth Quay and Mends Street … Continue reading WA ferry named after local icon →

The WorldSkills national competition will be held in Perth in August 2020, announced Education and Training Minister, Sue Ellery. Across 60 skill categories, the WorldSkills Australia National Championships showcase and celebrate the best in vocational education and training around the country. “The event will also put our most talented apprentices and trainees in the national … Continue reading Australian WorldSkills titles to be in Perth →

A new royalty arrangement could see the flourishing of a new field of manufacturing in Western Australia. The Western Australian government will use royalties to spur the growth of the downstream processing and manufacturing of lithium in the state. “Updating the royalty arrangements provides a fairer system for all lithium producers and will enable Western … Continue reading Royalty arrangement to drive lithium manufacturing →

The Western Australian government has released the tender for the construction of the Bellevue railcar manufacturing facility. The facility will enable the first locally manufactured trains in WA since the closure of the Midland Railway Workshop in 1994. Currently, Alstom is the preferred proponent for the manufacture of the railcars, which will be carried out … Continue reading Tender released for construction of train manufacturing factory →

Unions have welcomed reports that full cycle docking of Collins Class submarines will be kept in South Australia. The shipbuilding unions, under the banned of the Australian Shipbuilding Federation of Unions (ASFU), have campaigned outside of the South Australian Liberal state conference, and at the site of ASC Shipbuilding. ASC has recommended that full cycle … Continue reading Union encouraged that Collins Class to remain in SA →

A coal-mining and power generating town in south-west Western Australia is looking to manufacturing to brighten its future. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. THE south-west of Western Australia is known for its natural beauty and enviable lifestyle opportunities. The dense deposits of natural resources, such as coal, along with the power stations located in the south-west town … Continue reading Collie determined to make manufacturing part of its future →

The Western Australian government’s Future Job, future skills – Driving STEM skills in Western Australia strategy, announced in May 2019, this week announced the brightest minds and support for the next generation of scientists. In a ceremony held as part of National Science Week, the Premier’s Science Awards highlighted those at the pinnacle of science … Continue reading WA STEM strategy highlights state’s science skills →

On either side of Australia, announcements on July 18 and 19 pointed towards the growth of hydrogen as a potential energy source for local and international consumption. In Western Australia, the WA government launched its Renewable Hydrogen Strategy while opening Canadian energy company ATCO’s Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Jandakot, south of Perth. The Western … Continue reading Hydrogen’s potential as an energy source continues to expand →

This week the Western Australian government has announced two grants for innovative businesses to set up in the state. The state government will provide support for local businesses through the X-TEND WA program. Six education programs for investors and innovators are part of the $516,000 pilot program. The programs range from business scale up strategies … Continue reading WA offers investment for innovation →

On July 10, federal Science Minister Karen Andrews and her WA counterpart, Dave Kelly, signed an MoU outlining WA’s involvement in Australia’s space capabilities. The agreement involves $6 million in investment from the federal government to develop partnerships and engagement between WA industry and the global space ecosystem. The investment will be separated into two … Continue reading WA to join in Australia’s space efforts →

In launching the Western Australian (WA) government’s Diversify WA vision, the state government identified technology and advanced manufacturing as one of the key economic sectors that will build a more resilient, sustainable and growing economy. To achieve this vision, the WA government will reduce barriers to diversification, foster innovation and demonstrate fiscal responsibility so to … Continue reading Manufacturing key to future of WA economy →

A new plan for the Western Australian forestry industry aims to support the manufacture of timber products. In a statement from the Minister for Water, Fisheries, Forestry, Innovation and ICT and Science, Dave Kelly, harvested wood fibres are named as an opportunity to create products including engineered timbers and bioplastics. Utilising sustainably farmed wood for … Continue reading Western Australia forestry plans for jobs, industries and the environment →

The Western Australian State Government has secured $39 million to purchase a diverse range of new tools to advance scientific research in WA, and support local jobs, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries. In addition, the WA State Government has committed $10.5 million over the next three years to infrastructure. It has also … Continue reading Western Australian Government acquires new infrastructure research →

The search for Western Australia’s latest innovators is now on with Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly opening applications for the 2019 WA Innovator of the Year program. The program, which started 13 years ago, acknowledges and rewards exceptional Western Australian innovators who have developed outstanding products, technology or services. “This program has a proven … Continue reading Western Australia searches for best and brightest innovators →