Our priorities for the Great Southern align with the State Government’s strategic themes for regional development.

To deliver for the Great Southern, we work to maintain and grow its existing strengths and identify opportunities to develop new endeavours. Stable jobs and resilient commercial activity arise in diverse economies.

Among the key areas of strength and potential are primary production, premium foods, wine and other beverages. Many of the region’s jobs are in sectors such as education and training, healthcare and social assistance, and retail and hospitality. We see further potential in tourism, the creative industry, aquaculture, Noongar enterprises and film sectors.

View All Great Southern Economy Regional Liveability Community

Aquaculture

Great Southern aquaculture took a step change in 2017 with the opening of the Albany Shellfish Hatchery. The hatchery supplies shellfish spat to aquaculture operations around Western Australia’s coastline, and to operations elsewhere in Australia.
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Construction and Manufacturing

Steady construction activity takes place on domestic and commercial premises and in civil construction.
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Education and Training

Public and independent schools serve families throughout the region. Technical and further education is available in Kinjarling / Albany and by extension elsewhere in the region. University courses are delivered at all levels. Tertiary education is supported by affordable, high quality student accommodation.
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Healthcare and Social Assistance

Health care facilities are provided in Albany and regional towns. Home care, seniors’ services and assisted living provide employment for a significant number of people. We aim to ensure that services provided in the region are comparable to services in the metropolitan area.
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Noongar Enterprise

Noongar people continue to engage in commercial and community enterprises in the Great Southern. We encourage a range of initiatives that support growth of Noongar enterprise, thereby strengthening Great Southern communities.
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Premium Foods

Productive land and generally reliable growing conditions support premium food producers in the region. Wagyu beef, truffles, seafood, dairy products, organic foods, pantry products and more attract attention for their quality and provenance.
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Primary Production

Broadacre farming and livestock are the backbone of the Great Southern economy.
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Retail and Hospitality

Major retail stores, general shopping and specialty services provide a significant number of jobs in the region. The region’s hospitality offerings have grown in number and quality in recent years with numerous award-winning venues available from high end restaurants to boutique hotels and everything in between. The hospitality sector has a steady employment base year-round, with seasonal peaks.
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Screen Production

Film production in the Great Southern jumped up a notch in 2016 with the production of Simon Baker’s Breath, based on the novel by Tim Winton. Breath was released in 2018, and kicked off a flurry of filmmaking.
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Tourism

Internationally recognised ecotourism assets and natural attractions in the Great Southern are unmatched in regional Western Australia for their scale, diversity and accessibility.
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Wine and Other Beverages

The Great Southern wine region is the largest in mainland Australia, and encompasses the subregions of Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup. It produces 25 percent of Western Australia’s wine output.
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Castle Rock, Porongurup National Park Castle Rock, Porongurup National Park

Visit our Knowledge Hub to see reports, corporate documents, and research about the Great Southern region.

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