Manjimup is one of nine 'SuperTowns'  that will offer more choices for people wanting to live in regional areas and provide an attractive alternative to living in the metropolitan area.

• Boddington
• Collie
• Esperance
• Jurien Bay
• Katanning
• Manjimup
• Margaret River
• Morawa
• Northam

The towns above have been chosen as the nine inaugural SuperTowns, and will play a pivotal role in decentralising the forecast population growth.  Manjimup was chosen because of its growth potential.

That means Manjimup will have access to additional funding to help it take advantage of the opportunities created by the predicted doubling of Western Australia's population over the next 30 to 40 years.

What is SuperTowns?

The Manjimup SuperTown Project is a Royalties for Regions initiative with support from the Shire of Manjimup, South West Development Commission and Department of Regional Development and Lands.

SuperTowns will stimulate new business opportunities and new jobs, which will attract more investment and more people to live in the town.

SuperTowns Vision

To have a balanced, well-connected regional community, with lifestyle options and access to services - SuperTowns will have affordable, quality housing and a growing and diverse range of job opportunities. It will offer more choice for people living in regional areas and an attractive alternative to living in the metropolitan area.

SuperTowns Funding

Through Royalties for Regions, $80 million is available in 2012 to SuperTowns for transformational projects in the chosen communities. Potentially more funding will become available in the following years. In addition, $5.5 million is available in 2011/12 to assist with strategic planning.

The State Government Royalties for Regions programme will continue to make new investments throughout each of the regions in addition to the SuperTowns initiative. SuperTowns funding is in addition to Royalties for Regions support through initiatives such as the Country Local Government Fund and the Regional Grants Scheme.

SuperTown Growth Plan

The first step towards identifying projects to be funded by SuperTowns is the preparation of a Growth Plan. The Growth Plan will include an implementation plan prioritising the planned initiatives. The Shire of Manjimup is working in partnership with the South West Development Commission and Department of Regional Development and Lands on the Growth Plan.

The Growth Plan is to identify what will make Manjimup an attractive place to live, work, invest and visit. The essential question is “what will it take to make Manjimup grow into a vibrant and sustainable regional community?”

SuperTowns will stimulate new business opportunities and new jobs, which will attract more investment and more people to live in Manjimup.

Through Royalties for Regions, $80million is available to be divide among the 9 nominated town for transformational projects. 

Rachel Croft – Communication and Support Officer. Rachel is the first point of contact with the Project Team and can be reached on 9771 7766.

Pascal Balley – Infrastructure. Pascal is the Shire’s Manager of Technical Services and brings his extensive experience in engineering and infrastructure to the team.

Roy Winslow – Planning. Roy is the Shire’s Manager of Planning and Sustainability and brings to the team his experience of planning for regional communities throughout the state.

The SuperTown Project Team is assisted by other parts of the Shire and reports directly to the Shire’s Senior Management Team and the Council. The team also works closely with a number of key State Government agencies, including the South West Development Commission, Department of Regional Development and Lands, Department of Planning, Landcorp and the Department of Agriculture and Food.

Community Reference Group

Council is currently establishing a Community Reference Group to provide input into preparing the Growth Plan. The Group will comprise representatives of a range of stakeholders and sectors of Manjimup’s community. It will also include Councillor representatives.

Nominations for the Community Reference Group  are currently open and close 30 September 2011. A copy of the groups “Terms of Reference” is available by clicking here. If you are interested in nominating, please contact the Manjimup SuperTown Project Team on 9771 7766.

Have Your Say

In order to make sure the Growth Plan reflects community aspirations, we need as much input as possible.

There will be a range of opportunities to be involved in the SuperTown Project. These include:

•    Making a written submission on your ideas for the town. A submission form is available below.
•   Emailing the Manjimup SuperTown Project Team with your thoughts, ideas or comments by clicking here. supertowns@manjimup.wa.gov.au

•    Join the Manjimup SuperTown Facebook Page by clicking here