Great Southern Development Commission

29/05/2026

Got a great agrifood business idea, or an innovative solution to a challenge in WA’s agricultural sector?

DPIRD is offering three fully funded places in Curtin Ignition 2026, an intensive, week-long entrepreneurial program running in August 2026.

Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, enterprising academics, and forward-thinking innovators, the program helps participants test and refine ideas with real commercial potential.

For Great Southern innovators, this is a practical opportunity to build the skills, networks and confidence needed to turn strong ideas into viable businesses.

Applications from Indigenous, new and aspiring entrepreneurs, including those with limited experience in starting a business, are strongly encouraged.

📆Applications close Thursday 4 June 2026.
🔗Learn more and apply: https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/professional-development/executive-education/ignition/?utm_source=guide&utm_medium=offline&utm_campaign=um-fbl-pg-course-guide&utm_content=vanity

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Curtin University

27/05/2026

🌟 Inspiring future pathways in the Great Southern 🌟

GSDC was proud to be part of the recent visit by students from Katanning Senior High School to the UWA Albany Campus, as part of Stirlings to Coast Farmers' Ag Career Connect Great Southern program.

The tour provided students with valuable insight into the role GSDC and the State Government play in shaping a thriving Great Southern - one where people choose to live, work, invest and grow.

We’re pleased to hear the visit was so well received, with feedback highlighting the value of connecting schools, government, industry, and community to help young people explore the many opportunities and future pathways available in our region.

A big thank you to Stirlings to Coast Farmers and The University of Western Australia for the opportunity to contribute to this important initiative.

📸 GSDC’s Regional Development Officer Renee Tan on the left and presenting to students during the tour.

25/05/2026

Applications are now open for Innovate to Grow, a free eight-week online program supporting WA businesses with fewer than 200 employees to explore and develop early-stage ideas in the agrifood sector.

Delivered by CSIRO, the program is designed for businesses developing innovative products, services or solutions in areas including:

> Meat, livestock and aquaculture
> Agtech and AI
> Food and beverage businesses
> Value-added products
> Waste reduction and recycling
> Energy-saving and circular economy projects

This is a great opportunity for Great Southern businesses to build innovation and turn ideas into market-ready solutions.

📆 Applications close 31 May 2026
🔗 Learn more and apply online: https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/funding-programs/SME/Innovate-to-Grow/Agrifood-WA

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

21/05/2026

Are you a Great Southern business interested in contracting to government?

Our Local Content team has developed a set of fact sheets to help you get started, so you can better understand the process, build your visibility and be ready to compete for opportunities.

The fact sheets will help you:
> Understand how government contracting works
> Find opportunities to secure contracts
> Learn what support is available to help you get started

Access the fact sheets via our website and use them as a practical starting point to prepare for government supply opportunities.

🔗 101: Understand How State Government Buys Goods and Serviceshttps://gsdc.wa.gov.au/app/uploads/2026/05/101-Understand-how-state-government-buys-goods-and-services.pdf
🔗 102: Get on the State Government Radarhttps://gsdc.wa.gov.au/app/uploads/2026/05/102-Get-on-the-state-government-radar.pdf

Photo: GSDC engaging with local businesses at our Meet the Buyer Event in June 2025, connecting regional businesses with government buyers.

19/05/2026

Are you a Great Southern business exporting to the world? With applications for the WA Export Awards 2026 now open, this could be your time to shine!

From agriculture and food & beverage, to manufacturing and services, the Awards recognise the confidence, capability and innovation of WA exporters.

In 2026, the program will recognise exporters across 13 categories, with winners going on to represent WA at the Australian Export Awards.

⏰Applications close Friday 12 June 2026.

To apply or learn more, visit Invest and Trade Western Australia: www.wa.gov.au/WAExportAwards

15/05/2026

📊 Introducing the latest Great Southern Snapshots!

GSDC’s Great Southern Snapshots provide an overview of our region’s economy and population - highlighting trends, opportunities, and insights that matter to local businesses and communities.

The latest data shows strong economic indicators, reinforcing the strength and resilience of our regional economy.

Highlights include:
> Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $5.85 billion, reflecting healthy economic activity across the region.
> A low unemployment at 2.49% (December 2025), supported by 26,889 jobs and 7,411 businesses.
> $11.76 billion in economic output across all sectors, with Agriculture continuing to lead at $2.59 billion.

These insights help businesses make informed decisions, support local planning, and guide strategies to strengthen the Great Southern’s economic future.

Explore the Snapshots via our website: https://gsdc.wa.gov.au/about/regional-snapshots

📸 Scott Slawinski via Australia's South West

12/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this morning’s Great Southern Budget Briefing at the Albany Entertainment Centre.

We were honoured to host the Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia, Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Regional Development, and Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, Minister for Great Southern. They delivered an overview of the 2026-27 WA State Budget and its implications for the Great Southern, including the recently announced Seven Cities Vision

The event was hosted by the Hon. Samantha Rowe MLC, and featured a Q&A with the Premier and Ministers, where attendees asked questions about the investments, priorities and opportunities shaping our region’s future.

With over 100 community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders in attendance, the briefing created an important opportunity for meaningful conversation and engagement between government and the Great Southern community.

Want to learn more about what this year’s budget means for our region? The Great Southern fact sheet has all the details.

🔗Great Southern fact sheet:https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/2026-27/regions/great-southern.pdf
🔗Full WA State Budget: https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/

Thank you to our event partners Albany Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Denmark Chamber of Commerce and Katanning Regional Business Association - KRBA.

08/05/2026

It was great to take a look at progress on the Katanning Early Childhood Hub late last month.

With the Hub’s three main building structures nearing completion, work is well underway on the interior and fit out.

Once complete, the Early Childhood Hub will meet Katanning’s growing demand for childcare and family services, providing an Early Learning Centre, Family Centre, and Department of Communities’ family support services.

GSDC is pleased to have collaborated with the Shire of Katanning to support this project.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Shire of Katanning

06/05/2026

Introducing Perin Mulcahy, GSDC’s new board member.

Perin is a first-generation farmer in the Great Southern and Cranbrook Shire President.

With a professional background in corporate communications, she brings experience and insight into governance, regional development, agri business and community resilience.

In June 2025, Perin represented the Great Southern at the National Changemaking Gathering in Cairns, supported by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

Meeting regularly throughout the year, GSDC’s Board provide strategic leadership and governance, and advise the Minister on regional matters. Together, they bring diverse expertise and a strong commitment to the Great Southern.

Welcome to the Board, Perin - we look forward to working together to shape a strong future for our region!

04/05/2026

The Great Southern Development Commission is pleased to support the Albany Business Centre's Koodjal Business Support workshops, helping indigenous business Start, Build and Grow in the Great Southern.

The first workshop will be held in Albany on 22 May, followed by multiple dates and locations across the Great Southern.

Further details and booking link below👇

Brand New Program! 🖤💛❤️

Are you an Aboriginal person in the Great Southern with a dream of starting your own business?

Koodjal Business Support workshops are designed to help you turn that dream into reality.

In this set of morning and afternoon workshops, you’ll learn practical skills and ways to start and grow a successful business. Whether you have a business idea or are just starting to explore your entrepreneurial spirit, these workshops are for you.

🖤 Morning: Starting a Business – 10am to 12pm
💛 In between: Lunch and networking – 12pm to 1pm
❤️ Afternoon: One-page Business Plan – 1pm to 3pm

Get your free tickets now https://albanybusinesscentre.com.au/events/koodjal-business-support-albany

This set of workshops will be delivered across the Great Southern.
See all location dates: https://albanybusinesscentre.com.au/koodjal

We'll achieve loads in these two short workshops, and the Albany Business Centre can continue to support you on your business journey.

Koodjal Business Support is brought to you by the Albany Business Centre and Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC), so all indigenous people can build their business capability to be able to Start, Build and Grow.