Welcome

Conceptual Overview

Shaping WA from 2010 to 2050

Inventing the Future is a collaboration between CEDA and key partners. It is a modular approach that allows us to start pulling together support and ideas, and consider a long-term goal of evolving to the establishment of a CEDA affiliated Western Australia Economic Development Research and Policy Hub.

China

Partner, Customer, Investor, Competitor or All of the Above?

The reintegration of China into the global economy puts Australia near the epicentre of a tectonic shift in international affairs. At the early stage of global reintegration; will China be a Partner, Customer, Investor, Competitor or all of the above?

Enriching our Communities through Creative Arts

Million dollar homes, full employment and free flowing money are merely one part of the boom. What about the creative arts and cultural depth of the state? Looking back on this period, will Western Australia have added anything to global or even national culture other than large holes in the ground? Does contemporary society in 2010 even value the creative arts? Join CEDA for a discussion on the future of arts and how this can enrich our communities.

The True Value of Water

More and More People with Less and Less Water

Western Australian water rates are forecast to increase 17.7 percent in the 2010/11 financial year. In spite of this apparent large rise, Water Minister Dr Graham Jacobs notes: “We are far from cost recovery for the true cost of providing water, far from it. I’ve gotta tell you we are about 20 per cent away from true cost recovery in potable water sources supplied to Western Australia.” What is the true cost of water? More importantly, what is the true value of water? What are the long-term plans for securing and paying for this precious resource? Is our planning system sufficient?

Human Capital

Finding and Keeping the Right People with the Right Skills

Finding and keeping the right people with the right skills is hard. Continuing this over the medium-term is difficult. Thinking about it over the next few decades is even harder. Maintaining a cohesive society, while rapidly growing the population, is even more challenging. As WA expands, how do we debate skills-shortages and associated issues at beyond simple bumper sticker slogans and stop gap measures? Join CEDA to look at the issue from a range of perspectives with policy options discussed and debated.

Infrastructure & Capital Requirements

Who Will Pay and How Will We Do It?

Key infrastructure requirements for Western Australia were addressed at this important Inventing the Future event in October 2010.

Energy Options

How Do We Ensure Key Community Requirements are Met?

Global economic prosperity has created an unprecedented demand for energy while also raising concerns about climate change and the sustainability of the supply of resources. At the same time, Western Australia has experiencing strong economic growth and a surging population. The energy and transport grids which support the economy and society are based on documents half a century old, while the State is also adjusting for decades of neglect of key infrastructure. Current initiatives are trying to establish the framework that will guide development of energy and transport infrastructure over the course of the next twenty or more years. How will these decisions influence our future transport and development options? How will WA keep pace with energy demand while servicing the community? What is the influence of climate change on energy supply? How will rising energy prices impact on the transport sector? What will transport look and feel like in 2030 and are we preparing for it? How will increasing scarcity influence energy reliability? And how will the increasing prices of energy impact on community welfare?

Population Dispersal & Sustainability

Developing Viable Regional Centres and Lifestyle Options

Is there a way to match labour demand with migration? How can the State Government encourage greater population dispersal? What needs to be done to create a more even distribution of population in WA and is it even desirable?

Agriculture & Food

Rural Employment, Security and the Environment

What does the future for agriculture look like? How can agriculture adjust to benefit from changing demographics and labour availability? Where do we source capital for investment and expansion?

Demographics & Social Change

Adjusting to an Older and Larger Population – How Do We Achieve Growth that Benefits All Members of Society?

Join Phil Ruthven, Founder and Chairman, IBISWorld and CEDA WA for an enlightening presentation on demographics and social change and the key considerations for policy for the future. Phil will be interviewed by James Lush, from Lush TV and ABC Radio.

The Future of Mobility

Safety, Accessibility & Sustainability

How will we get from A to B in Western Australia in 2050?

People Projects and Productivity; Where to From Here?

Inventing the Future is a collaboration between CEDA and key partners. It is a modular approach that allows us to start pulling together support and ideas, and consider a long-term goal of evolving to the establishment of a CEDA affiliated Western Australia Economic Development Research and Policy Hub.