Perth Voice Interactive

PLANS for an “innovation cluster” in the Bayswater Industrial Area might have to be shelved because its sewerage system it too outdated.

The BIA is a fairly under-utilised industrial zone, but most properties are still on septic systems which deters sizeable companies from setting up.

Bayswater council has been trying to get higher levels of government to shell out for proper pipelines but hasn’t had much luck so far, as the state government prioritises sewerage to residential areas.

Innovation clusters involve an array of businesses and institutions from related industrial fields who benefit from being neighbours.

But they are typically based around a central “hub” like a university or a research institution, to mix research, training and industry. 

A Bayswater staff report provided to councillors this week was blunt about the chances of attracting such an institution: “Without reticulated sewer the BIA is unlikely to be a candidate for redevelopment or considered as a suitable location for an innovation cluster.”

This has meant the council is not ready to jump on an opportunity to start up a cluster proposed by local not-for-profit enterprise Time Arrow Innovation Hub, headquartered on Bassendean Road in the BIA. 

Entrepreneurs

Currently Time Arrow offers a meeting place and training for techies and entrepreneurs involved in renewable energy and carbon-minus manufacturing and building. 

Time Arrow wants to partner with Bayswater council to kick the project into overdrive and create a full-blown innovation cluster, reducing costs for proximate businesses through pooled equipment and economies of scale, and sharing expert knowledge between partnered organisations. 

Bayswater staff have advised councillors that it’s too early to dive into such a partnership given the sewerage situation.

They also want more certainty that the WA Department of Jobs, Science, tourism and Innovation will get on board with Time Arrow’s plan.

Councillor Josh Eveson, who’s been one of the main proponents for improving the BIA, remained optimistic they’d get there eventually.

“I continue to see huge potential in this very under-utilised area of our city: The potential to boost local jobs, the potential to drive future innovation, the potential to update the area for more modern industrial uses, and let’s not forget the potential to maximise the ongoing benefit from the massive state and federal investments that’ve taken place across the city,” Cr Eveson said at the October 31 council meeting. 

For now, councillors voted to continue lobbying the state government for more sewer infrastructure in the BIA, and to have the CEO prepare a report on a ‘holistic’ strategy for the area rather than diving into the Time Arrow partnership.

by DAVID BELL