Rockingham Renaissance Receives Wide Support

VIPs included His Excellency Christophe Penot, Ambassador for France to Australia, His Excellency Igor Bartho, Ambassador for Slovakia to Australia, Senator Linda Reynolds, Consuls General from Slovakia, Czech Republic and the Netherlands, Western Australian State Government ministers and European trade commissioners. The City of Rockingham was represented by Deputy Mayor Deb Hamblin, Acting CEO Bob Jeans and Manager Investment Attraction Mark Tidman.

The event was a resounding success with existing relationships strengthened and new ones established as the City’s representatives outlined the exciting possibilities presented by the project, in particular the Renaissance Technopole which is already well advanced and attracting interest from major European institutions. Based at the university campus on Dixon Road, the Technopole is a vehicle to drive the business initiatives that are developing as an outflow of the Rockingham Renaissance initiative, and will provide an economic platform from which to launch these business ventures.

Mayor Barry Sammels said “It was a great opportunity to introduce ‘Rockingham Renaissance’ to our guests and to describe the many benefits it will deliver for Western Australia, France and EU countries.”

“We were delighted to sign a Memorandum of Friendship with FACCI last year, and this opportunity to co-host an event at Parliament House has shone a spotlight on what we are doing. Based on the feedback we’ve already received it has been a catalyst for moving Rockingham Renaissance to the next level of cooperation locally, nationally and internationally.”

There is strong support from both State and Federal Government for Rockingham Renaissance, especially given the new economic opportunities that will be created in WA and within the City of Rockingham. Paul Papalia, Minister for Small Business, voiced his support for active collaboration with Europe and his desire to see strong links developed.

Mayor Sammels said “Business needs room to grow, so the demand for strategically located land and suitable buildings is increasing. Attracting major international companies and organisations to increase their investment in commercial property in Rockingham will provide a major boost to the City’s revenue stream.”

Photo:  Deputy Mayor of the City of Rockingham Deborah Hamblin, Minister for Small Business Paul Papalia, and Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations Bill Johnston with other guests including the Ambassador of Slovakia, His Excellency Igor Bartho (far right).