Noongar Communities in the Great Southern
The Great Southern has been home to a significant population of Noongar people for tens of thousands of years, with the Great Southern borders now encompassing the ancestral lands of the Menang, Kaneang, and Goreng Noongar peoples, and parts of the Wudjari and Wilman land. The Great Southern falls within the Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar portion of the South West Native Title settlement. The Noongar people have a rich cultural heritage, deeply connected to the land, with traditions and knowledge passed down through generations.
The resilience and strong cultural identity of the Great Southern’s Noongar communities has meant they are a vital part of the region’s tourist appeal, regional culture, and economy. The Noongar people continue to engage in various commercial and community enterprises in the Great Southern. We support a range of initiatives that foster the growth of Noongar enterprises, thereby strengthening the broader community.
Projects
Aboriginal Business Capability Building
The Aboriginal Business Capability Building (ABCB) program supports Aboriginal businesses in the region by enhancing their capacity to compete for government contracts and contribute to the economy. The program aims to create a coordinated approach with clearer pathways, increased support for start-ups and existing businesses, and enhanced business planning and governance.
Currently, only 9 active Aboriginal suppliers tender for government contracts, accounting for just 3% of awarded tenders in the Great Southern from 2017 to 2023. However, 94% of the 52 contracts awarded to Aboriginal businesses came from within the Great Southern. The ABCB program is a crucial step towards empowering Aboriginal businesses and fostering regional economic growth.
As a part of the ABCB program we collaborated with the Albany Business Centre to deliver a series of free workshops in 2025. This series of workshops has now finished. Further events in the program will be listed on this page.
Regional project engagement
An ongoing focus for the GSDC is embedding Aboriginal economic development outcomes and cultural values into our projects. Projects involve engagement with Aboriginal organisations, and where appropriate, adopt a co-design approach.
In developing the Coastal Great Southern Regional Drought Resilience Plan, consultation with Aboriginal organisations is ensuring their experiences and cultural land management techniques inform the final plan. Similarly, the Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan uses a co-design model with the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation, creating a shared vision for public spaces that represents the diverse Albany community.
Supporting Aboriginal led initiatives
The GSDC supports Aboriginal organisations in creating their own path to prosperity through various initiatives. We back Aboriginal-run festivals and events, such as the Djinda Ngardak Kinjarling culinary program, the Great Southern Aboriginal Leadership Conference, and the Aboriginal Ranger Forum. We further work to assist Aboriginal corporations in strategic project planning and partnership development.
Through RED Grants, we support projects like the Seeds of the Great Southern and Mungart Seed Enterprise nursery, and the Local Content program helps Aboriginal businesses develop the capability to participate in government procurement, fostering economic growth and job creation.
2025 Indigenous Art and Culture Festival
The 2025 Indigenous Arts and Culture Festival, is being developed through a partnership with WAITOC and Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation, and is a new addition to the festival and events offering in the Great Southern region. This festival aims to create economic opportunities for Aboriginal businesses and organisations while celebrating the rich culture of the Great Southern Noongar people. It will showcase traditional and contemporary arts, music, dance, and cultural practices, providing a platform for cultural exchange and community engagement. The festival is set to become a significant cultural event, highlighting the vibrant heritage and contributions of the Noongar community.
