Shire of Roebourne Local Planning Strategy

Shire of Roebourne Local Planning StrategyTechnical Report A1: Economic Development StrategyA further spin-off could be the building of a research institute, using the technical input and technicalworkforce requirements for algae production facilities as a basis for such an institute. However, thiscould prove difficult. The effectiveness of research institutes of this type is determined by both the longterm commitment of major funding of infrastructure and its ability to attract high calibre researchers. Thisis long term commitment in a highly competitive and high risk environment. Are more likely path is theestablishment of negotiated and managed relationships with existing and internationally recognizedresearch organisations. This would result in a modest number of researchers on site. (As an aside alocal example of the difficulty of generating anything more than modest local employment from specialistresearch and education bodies can be found in the Margaret River Centre of Wine Excellence andMargaret River Education Campus, which despite being located in a region of high quality wineproduction and in one of the most attractive places to live now has a high proportion of its research andeducation activities and staff located in Perth.)Aurora Algae have a pilot plant now underway south of Dampier. Subject to the results of the pilot plantthe company’s plan is to expand the scale of the plant over time.Figure 14:Aurora Algae Pilot PlantSource: Aurora AlgaeOther potential non-mining export sector projects arise for consideration. Those currently identified byRegional Development Australia Pilbara 19 include:19Regional Development Australia Pilbara, Pilbara Report 201253