The Avertas Energy Waste to Energy plant will be the first of its kind in Australia, integrating the recovery and reuse of waste with the generation of energy to provide a practical solution to two community challenges: waste disposal and renewable energy supply.

The facility will use tried and tested moving grate combustion technology already operational in more than 2,000 similar waste to energy plants around the world. The facility has the capacity to process 400,000 tonnes per year of general waste, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and delivering 36MW of baseload electricity to the grid. Waste to energy technology is a viable, clean and sustainable alternative to landfill disposal, which compliments the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) and is integral to any modern integrated waste management system.

Waste is thermally treated with resultant energy recovered to create heat. The heat energy is converted to steam energy which powers a turbine and generates electricity.

Perth is a city in Western Australia that is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Some of the impacts that Perth is facing or is likely to face in the future include:

More frequent and severe heatwaves, which can lead to heat-related illnesses and deaths, as well as increased air pollution
Changes to rainfall patterns, which could lead to more intense storms and flash flooding Changes to the distribution and abundance of plants and animals, which could affect the health of natural ecosystems and the services they provide
Changes to the ocean currents and temperature, which could affect marine life and ocean chemistry Increased risk of bushfires due to higher temperatures and drier conditions Reduced water availability

To address these impacts, the city of Perth is implementing a number of initiatives, including:

Developing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan to identify and respond to the impacts of climate change on the city
Investing in green infrastructure, such as parks and gardens, to reduce the urban heat island effect
Investing in renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Investing in flood protection measures such as building sea walls and raising the height of the floor of buildings in flood-prone areas
Promoting sustainable transportation options to reduce emissions and improve air quality Implementing water conservation measures and water harvesting techniques to adapt to reduced water availability
Implementing fire-proofing measures in homes and communities to reduce the risk of bushfires

It's important to note that the Western Australia government is also implementing various policies and initiatives to address climate change impacts in the state.

Creative industries are largely based in the Greater Perth area (87.8%). Creative Industries are businesses that turn creative ideas into commercial outcomes.

The economic, social, industrial and cultural contributions of these industries are increasingly being recognised as essential elements of an advanced and thriving regional economy.

Creative industries are generally divided into two sectors, cultural production and creative services, each with several sub-domains.

Cultural production:
• Film, TV and radio
• Publishing
• Libraries, archives and museums
• Music, performing and visual arts

Creative services
• Advertising and marketing
• Architecture and design
• Software and digital content

Perth is the second most isolated capital city in the world and the most isolated capital with a population in excess of one million people.

Mining, construction and professional, scientific and technical services are the dominant industry sectors in the region. Technology advancement has contributed to growth in recent years and is changing the way people live and do business.

A number of emerging technologies will continue to transform the economy moving forward including mobile and remote internet access and computing, cloud technology, advanced robotics and virtual intelligence, renewable energies and energy storage, advanced materials design and manufacture, and next generation genomics.

Perth in Western Australia is home to five world-class universities.

Curtin University is an innovative, global university known for its high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and commitment to preparing you for jobs of the future.

Edith Cowan University aims to extend knowledge and improve the quality of life for Australians and people across the globe. Our research priorities focus on solving real world problems across social, economic, physical and environmental domains.

Murdoch University research institutes have been designed to engage with our regions, as it is in these areas, outside the Perth metropolitan area, where our research can have the strongest impact, improving on-ground management, policy and health outcomes.

University of Western Australia is recognised for resolving real-world challenges that are critical to the planet and its people. We collaborate on creating knowledge to drive business and industry forward.

Western Australia has a world-class health and medical life sciences ecosystem. It features a highly-skilled, collaborative medical research workforce, outstanding research infrastructure and a number of highly-regarded medical research institutes.

Perth has a rapidly growing and very active health and medical innovation ecosystem, comprising a mix of private businesses, universities, public hospitals and non- governmental organisations.

In 2019 there were more than 41 biotech and pharmaceutical companies and 53 medtech and digital health companies, along with 22 research institutions and 63 services and support organisations.

This growing sector presents opportunities to build on expertise in high need areas including
• medical research,
• new gene technologies,
• phenomics, medical technology,
• long-term population health studies,
• data linkage and,
• digital health solutions.
The strong research base is the engine room for creating innovative commercial opportunities. All five universities have strengths in the life sciences, as do the excellent medical research institutes – Telethon Kids, Harry Perkins, Lions Eye and Perron.

The state has been home to the development of very successful companies, which have subsequently grown nationally or internationally – Avita, iCeutica, and Sirtex to name a few.

The current group of companies on the rise is extremely encouraging, with Linear Clinical Research, Ozgene, Orthocell, Suda, and Gelflex garnering successes. While emerging businesses such as OncoRes, Respirion, Artrya, and Singular Health are burgeoning rapidly.

Is Australia’s housing crisis self-inflicted? If so, then we need a series of reforms to reverse it
The best long-term solution to the structural problems of the rental crisis is to build more public and/or affordable housing.

Make renting more Sustainable. Increase rent assistance or look at rental caps, similar to countries in Europe and some US states, long term tenancy agreements with incentives for all parties to the agreement.

Build to Rent
The Build to Rent property sector is growing in Australia – this new class of housing is focused on providing high quality purpose designed and built rental stock, creating an additional housing choice for Australian renters with greater security and service.

Build to Rent developments are typically owned by institutional investors for the long term and the owner could be the developer/ongoing building manager. The format provides tenants with the flexibility of renting with the security of home ownership.

Build-to-Rent developments are usually large-scale residential properties specifically designed, built and managed for long-term ownership and rental.

Social Housing
In the 40 years between 1981 and 2021 the percentage of all Australian households living in social housing (i.e. state owned and managed public housing or community managed housing) has ranged from 4.9 per cent in 1981 to 3.8 per cent in 2021. Such a drop in the proportion of social housing raises the question of has Australia achieved the balance right, and also just what is the right level of social housing for Australia?

In 2018 Statistics Canada said 628,700 Canadian households, more than one in ten renter households nationally (13.5% of 4,652,500), were living in social and affordable housing.
In New Zealand, as of 30 June 2021, there were 74,337 public housing households. This equates to 4.0% of households living in social housing.

In England (in 2018) 17% of households (3.9 million) lived in social housing, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes that 1.2 million households live in public housing, which is 0.98 per cent of all housing.

“We have five universities in the world’s top 100 and our university sector is our fourth largest export industry, bringing in about $18 billion per annum,” he said.

“In 2014, The Global Creativity Index ranked Australia fifth in the world; this year we came first.

“The Bloomberg Innovation Index rates Australia 13th in the world, and the Global Innovation Index rates Australia 17th, with our human capital and research capabilities ranked seventh in the world.

“But our innovation efficiency – that’s our ability to take new discoveries and turn them into economic benefits – is ranked at 81st in the world.”

Peter Klinken: Chief Scientist

The mining sector produces more than 50 different minerals from about 125 operating projects across Western Australia.

Western Australia is the epicentre of Australian mining and a major player in the international mining industry, with a huge amount of high-grade resources and some of the largest mines in the country.

WA is the world’s largest iron ore supplier, with multiple iron ore projects, especially in the Pilbara region in the north of the state.

New mineral exploration is constantly underway in WA with a new spotlight on lithium and vanadium to meet with the growing demand of green energy alternatives and new battery technologies.

Companies located in Perth include:

Hamersley Iron
Fortescue Metals
FMG Pilbara
Roy Hill
Hope Downs
BHP
Rio Tinto
Mitsui
Anglogold Ashanti
Glencore

The Western Australian defence sector supports our Defence Forces and significantly contributes to our nation’s defence requirements. We have a competitive, flexible and resilient defence industry with a long and successful history.

Western Australia has strong, advanced manufacturing capabilities supported by tertiary institutions that are world class and truly at the forefront of the next generation of defence technologies and innovation.

The Australian Marine Complex (AMC) is a world-class centre of excellence for manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, technology, repair and maintenance activities for the marine, defence and resource industries.

Defence is currently embarking on a program of continuous shipbuilding including Offshore Patrol Vessels, Pacific Patrol Vessels and Cape Class patrol boats.

The Royal Australian Navy has a permanent presence on Garden Island, in the form of HMAS Stirling.

Blending urban cool with raw natural beauty, Perth is effortlessly Australian. With its immersive experiences and proximity to a range of daytrip destinations, Australia’s sunniest capital city is a place where relaxation and adventure go hand in hand.

Uncover Perth's artistic side in its vibrant street art, cultural precinct and entertainment hubs, and embark on a fascinating Aboriginal walking tour through Kings Park, a diverse oasis that’s one of the biggest inner-city parks in the world.

Perth has a distinct clarity of light. The sun sparkles on the city waterfront at Elizabeth Quay. It illuminates the bridge leading to Optus Stadium – judged the most beautiful sports facility in the world at the 2019 Prix Versailles architecture and design awards - warms the sand at Cottesloe Beach and reflects its amber hues in the ocean at sunset.

The area’s coastal and waterfront restaurants are the perfect spot for gourmet indulgence, while the wineries and artisan food producers of Swan Valley are just a short drive away.

Then explore countless sandy stretches as you make your way from the laid-back city of Fremantle, famous for spearheading the Australian craft beer scene, to the pristine islands and reefs off the coast of Rockingham and Mandurah, where wild dolphins sometimes gather close to the shoreline. Encounter smiling quokkas and other wildlife on the island sanctuary of Rottnest Island.

The City of Perth is working to align with the State's Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 to become a sustainable, low-waste, circular economy in which human health and the environment are protected from the impacts of waste.

Australians send more than 20 million tonnes of waste to landfill every year. We just put things in the bin and the council takes it away. It’s out of sight and out of mind. But the amount of waste we generate is a big problem, and it’s only getting bigger.

The city is committed to our waste target to achieve 70 per cent diversion from landfill by 2025. We need your help to make small changes to recycle correctly to reduce our overall waste. Does your building have recycling bins? Do you have too many or not enough bins? It may be time to review and evaluate your waste services.

Reducing energy use, climate change risks and waste; conserving water and protecting the natural environment; and planning for sustainable development are just some of the ways the City of Karratha works toward a thriving and sustainable natural and built environment.

The Northern Hub is one of eight national Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs created as an initiative of the Future Drought Fund. The consortium of regional partners is committed to building the resilience and sustainable prosperity of rural industries and communities across the region.

The Hub will transform the drought resilience of farmers, traditional owners and communities in the Northern Territory and Northern Western Australian tropical top end and rangelands. This will be achieved by focusing on pastoral, broadacre, horticulture and forestry systems and water management.

The Red Earth Arts Precinct is the only facility of its kind in the North West, providing a 450+ seat theatre, rooftop cinema, outdoor amphitheatre and state-of- the-art library. This arts and culture hub is contributing to the city's economic development by attracting major conferences to Karratha, activating the city centre, attracting touring events to the North West, enabling small businesses to host community events, and enhancing the development of the tourism industry through additional visitation to the city.

The Pilbara is Western Australia's second most northern region, defined by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Northern Territory border to the east. The Kimberley Region lies to its north across the Great Sandy Desert and the Pilbara's southern reaches border the Gascoyne, Mid-West and Goldfields-Esperance regions. The region covers a total area of 507,896km (including offshore islands).

Most of the inhabitants of the Pilbara are located in the western third of the region, whereas the eastern third is largely desert with few inhabitants. The Pilbara has four local government areas - the City of Karratha, Shires of Ashburton and East Pilbara and the Town of Port Hedland. Other towns are Roebourne, Dampier, Onslow, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Wickham, Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine.

The Pilbara is economically significant, both nationally and internationally, as the region is responsible for a major portion of the production, value, exports and investments of extraction industries commodities, particularly iron ore and liquefied natural gas (LNG). In addition to the immense reserves of natural resources, tourism, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture all feature prominently in the strengths and opportunities in the Region.

The City of Karratha, in partnership with the Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took a lead role to develop a business case and funding application for the establishment of the Pilbara Universities Centre in Karratha.

The proposed Pilbara Universities Centre would directly improve access to high quality university education locally, reduce migration from the region to pursue education, create opportunities to align tertiary education offerings with the local resources industry and connect local students with jobs in disciplines that are facing a skills shortage.

The Rural Clinical School of WA has programs in 15 rural towns including Karratha and Port Hedland.

Future Tails
Future Tails will contribute knowledge to specialist areas of research, including static liquefaction, filtered and dry stacked tailing and numerical modelling for dam break studies. This knowledge will lead the practice, technology and process for the next generation of geotechnical engineers.

Matt Currie, the Vice President of BHP’s Tailings Taskforce, said there was an increasing demand for tailings expertise, and for qualified people and methods to train these new professionals. “The program will provide essential training and development to people at all levels of their career, and help reinforce the different career paths within the tailings discipline,” Mr Currie said.

The major food industry in the Pilbara is rangeland beef production. Irrigated agriculture and fisheries are small, but developing industries.

A high value beef product might not be the first thing people connect to the vast, dry Pilbara of WA, but Singaporean businessman Bruce Cheung has tapped into the region’s water resources as part of his vision to produce Wagyu for a global market.

By developing water infrastructure to grow year round feed and produce boxed beef, he created an alternative to the region’s traditional model of turning cattle off native pastures for live export.

The Sahara Forest Project in Karratha aims to produce fruit and vegetables using recycled sea water and salt water-cooled greenhouses, powered by the sun.

The Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative (NNSIDI) will support the creation of new and innovative seed production enterprises throughout the Pilbara, Goldfields-Esperance, and Kimberley regions in Western Australia. The native seed industry has the potential to be a viable alternative to the current practice of wild harvesting.

Is Australia’s housing crisis self-inflicted? If so, then we need a series of reforms to reverse it
The best long-term solution to the structural problems of the rental crisis is to build more public and/or affordable housing.

Make renting more Sustainable. Increase rent assistance or look at rental caps, similar to countries in Europe and some US states, long term tenancy agreements with incentives for all parties to the agreement.

Build to Rent
The Build to Rent property sector is growing in Australia – this new class of housing is focused on providing high quality purpose designed and built rental stock, creating an additional housing choice for Australian renters with greater security and service.

Build to Rent developments are typically owned by institutional investors for the long term and the owner could be the developer/ongoing building manager. The format provides tenants with the flexibility of renting with the security of home ownership.

Build-to-Rent developments are usually large-scale residential properties specifically designed, built and managed for long-term ownership and rental.

Social Housing
In the 40 years between 1981 and 2021 the percentage of all Australian households living in social housing (i.e. state owned and managed public housing or community managed housing) has ranged from 4.9 per cent in 1981 to 3.8 per cent in 2021. Such a drop in the proportion of social housing raises the question of has Australia achieved the balance right, and also just what is the right level of social housing for Australia?

In 2018 Statistics Canada said 628,700 Canadian households, more than one in ten renter households nationally (13.5% of 4,652,500), were living in social and affordable housing.
In New Zealand, as of 30 June 2021, there were 74,337 public housing households. This equates to 4.0% of households living in social housing.

In England (in 2018) 17% of households (3.9 million) lived in social housing, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes that 1.2 million households live in public housing, which is 0.98 per cent of all housing.

The Pilbara is economically significant, both nationally and internationally, as the region is responsible for a major portion of the production, value, exports and investments of extraction industries commodities, particularly iron ore and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Gold, lithium, zinc and cobalt projects are currently being developed across the Pilbara and the City is the epicentre of this growth. Innovative technologies and our proximity to established operations provide opportunities for magnesium and urea processing operations in the city.

The region is rich with gold, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc and other minerals, helping create a rich and diverse local economy.
Renewable energy – the State Government has set aside $117.5 million to match Commonwealth funding to develop hubs in the Pilbara and Mid-West, putting WA at the forefront of this emerging industry.
The proposed hub would complement and build on activity already undertaken by the City and partners to establish the Pilbara Hydrogen Cluster - a group of likeminded organisations focused on building the skills, capability and viability of hydrogen opportunities in the Pilbara.
Future Tails
Future Tails will contribute knowledge to specialist areas of research, including static liquefaction, filtered and dry stacked tailing and numerical modelling for dam break studies. This knowledge will lead the practice, technology and process for the next generation of geotechnical engineers.

Matt Currie, the Vice President of BHP’s Tailings Taskforce, said there was an increasing demand for tailings expertise, and for qualified people and methods to train these new professionals. “The program will provide essential training and development to people at all levels of their career, and help reinforce the different career paths within the tailings discipline,” Mr Currie said.

The Pilbara Regiment is one of the Australian Army’s Regional Force Surveillance Units and vital to the Australian Defence Force’s defence of Australia. It is an Army reconnaissance and surveillance unit focussed on the collection of information in the northwest region of Western Australia.