Historical Projects

The Albany Ring Road project, now referred to as Menage Drive, is a major freight route designed to improve transport efficiency and road safety in the Great Southern. It supports the movement of grain, fertiliser and woodchips to and from the Port of Albany, while diverting heavy vehicles away from Albany’s urban roads.

Planning for the project began in 1997, with early works including the Albany Highway interchange completed in 2007. A revised plan in 2015 expanded the project’s scope and funding, and the full route opened in May 2024.

The project has eased congestion, improved safety on key roads, and created local jobs and contracts. Enhanced access to the port and industrial areas has supported regional development and economic growth.

As the largest road infrastructure investment in the Great Southern, Menang Drive reflects strong regional collaboration and a commitment to long-term community benefit.

Work began on construction of the Albany Entertainment Centre (AEC), in 2008 following a lengthy collaborative planning process. Architects Cox Howlett and Bailey Woodland were appointed to design the AEC, with the goal of constructing a striking and innovative home for Albany arts and culture.

Through the GSDC, the state government contributed $68.8 million, with the City of Albany contributing a further $1.2 million. The resulting structure, is a 618-seat arch theatre, a 220 seat auditorium, and 20-60 person event space, with rehearsal space, café, function area, and observation platform.

The GSDC had administrative responsibility for the project budget until July 2010, with the Perth Theatre Trust taking responsibility for managing the operations from the AEC’s opening on Saturday 11 December 2010.

In its almost 15 years of operation, more than 500,000 people have attended events at the AEC, and a wide diversity of arts and cultural experiences have been drawn to Albany.

Read more about the Albany Waterfront precinct.

The Great Southern Housing Initiative was a $22.1 million state government project aimed at addressing the shortage of quality affordable housing across the region. The initiative delivered 52 housing units, comprising of 21 units for independent seniors, and 31 units for regional employees.

Read about current housing projects here.

The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation and Department of Environment and Conservation received state government funding through the Royalties for Regions Program to extend the much-loved Munda Biddi Trail from Nannup to Albany.

Supported by state government and the South West Development Commission funding worth more than $6 million, the extension of the trail resulted in a significant tourism asset linking the South West and Great Southern regions.

The trail was completed in 2013, when 26 riders set off on the trail; the first opportunity for cyclists to ride the full trail from Albany to Mundaring. The trail was officially opened at the end of the ride, marking the completion of the world’s longest continuous off-road cycle track at 1,000km.

Officially opened in 2014, the Katanning Sheep Saleyard was a $25.4 million project supported by the state and commonwealth governments, and the Shire of Katanning. The GSDC supported the project with the development of a business case to secure funding and approval for the development of the facility.

The facility now manages up to 45,000 sheep per sale, or 1.2 million sheep per year, and incorporates high standards of handling, occupational safety, animal welfare and sustainability. The facility features solar power generation and water capture, with the water used to fill the lake in Katanning’s Piesse Park.

Royalties for Regions funding of $1 million was allocated to local governments in the Great Southern under the Great Southern Town Centre Enhancement Program (GSTCEP) for projects starting from 1 July 2011.

The program offered the opportunity for the region’s local governments to enhance town centres with better landscaping, roads, paths, gardens, lighting and signs. The funding covered 11 projects throughout the Great Southern.

Projects included an upgrade to the Strickland Street area in Denmark, which included establishing caravan and trailer parking bays and improving pedestrian access.Jerramungup beautified its town entry, created a new community park and undertook streetscape improvements. Mount Barker installed underground power at Short Street, and provided footpaths, better parking and new street furniture.

Locally owned and operated, community resource centres (CRCs) provide a wide array of information and community-based services to local people, businesses and visitors. CRC’s provide training and education programs, access to business facilities and information on community events and government services.

The GSDC maintains practical working relationships with the Great Southern’s Community Resources Centres in Bremer Bay, Denmark, Frankland River,  Gnowangerup,  Jerramungup,  Katanning,  Kojonup, Mount Barker, Ongerup, Pingrup, Tambellup, Wellstead and Walpole, and continues to assist local governments, community groups and the CRC network in the development of co-located facilities that have the capacity to provide services for the community.

The Hilton Garden Inn Albany, completed in 2021, is a major asset in the Albany Waterfront precinct. This five-storey, 108-room hotel offers ocean views and is strategically located beside the Albany Entertainment Centre. The project, managed by LandCorp, involved key stakeholders including the City of Albany, the GSDC, and the Department of Transport.

The hotel has enhanced the region by providing high-quality accommodation within walking distance of central Albany, the Albany Boatshed Markets, and major tourism experiences. It also connects visitors to renowned historic sites such as the Albany Convict Gaol & Museum and the Western Australia Museum. The Albany Waterfront project has significantly boosted local tourism, offering easy access to cultural attractions and natural views, thereby enriching the visitor experience and supporting regional development.

Read more about the Albany Waterfront precinct.

The Middleton Beach Foreshore Revitalisation project created improved event space and beach experiences, pedestrian networks, environmental rehabilitation and foreshore protection at Middleton Beach. The $9 million project was supported with state government funding of $2.5 million through DevelopmentWA, $4.5 million from the Australian Government and $2 million from the City of Albany.

Katanning’s Heritage Centre project, supported by $12.72 million of state government funding, delivered a new welcome precinct for the town, a housing subdivision and better visitor facilities.

Improvements included signage, parking, landscaping, street furniture, and facilities for recreational vehicles. Katanning’s iconic All-Ages Playground was renovated as part of the welcome precinct, renewing and refurbishing the much-loved tourism asset.