We work for the Great Southern region stretching from the northern shires of Woodanilling and Kent to the South Coast, and from Nornalup in the west, to the Fitzgerald River National Park in the east.

We are critical on-the-ground connectors, advocates, and influencers for regional development in the Great Southern. We:

  • Connect our region, people and communities to opportunities, services, and funding
  • Cultivate the development, investment and growth in our region’s jobs and economic activity
  • Champion our region, its brand, assets and identity, and its successes, opportunities, and solutions to its challenges
  • Collaborate to develop effective relationships and partnerships that enable us to proactively monitor, inform and respond to opportunities and challenges influencing our region’s prosperity.

Our Board of Management leads the commission providing overarching strategic and policy direction, in pursuit of our vision and goals for the region. A dedicated and passionate team of GSDC staff work within the region, across a diverse range of regional projects, guided by this strategic direction.

Our projects encompass all areas of the Great Southern, and our reach spans from individual guidance and support for local businesses and community groups, to influencing strategic priorities within higher levels of government. The GSDC’s work, while diverse and wide-ranging, is always centred on our vision for development of the region.

 


Our projects focus on our 5 strategic priorities:

  Regional Liveability

   Economic Development, Diversification and Innovation

  Climate Resilience and Low Carbon Transition

 Aboriginal Empowerment and Prosperity

     Organisational Excellence

Core Values

Underpinning all our decisions and actions are our values:

Leadership

We are 'thought leaders', understanding the Great Southern’s potential and striving to achieve it.

Knowledge

We hold deep knowledge of our region and distil insights that we share with the community, industry, and government.

Empowerment

We advocate for our region, and work alongside our stakeholders to achieve the aligned purpose of regional prosperity.

Relationships

We actively build meaningful relationships with our stakeholders.

Agility

We are flexible, responsive, focussed and resilient.

Integrity

We are honest, transparent and accountable for our actions.

Vision Statement
southwest
Stirling Range, credit Jake Wilton
Sustainable economic development with lasting prosperity for the Great Southern region and its communities. The Commission is driving this change by strategically and sustainably building on the region’s comparative advantages and knowhow.

Board of Management

The Board of Management is the governing body of the GSDC, and meets regularly to set policy direction, approve major expenditure and provide advice to the Minister on regional matters.

Board members are chosen on the basis of ability at an executive level, a demonstrated involvement in either the economic or social development of the region, and the ability to work cooperatively to achieve agreed goals across a wide range of social and economic issues. Board members are confirmed by the Minister for Regional Development with terms ranging from one to three years.

The three categories for Board membership are community nominations, Local Government nominations, and Ministerial nominations.

Our Support

Grants Hubs

If our grant programs are closed or your proposal falls outside our guidelines, you could try accessing grants through other agencies and organisations. Search the GSDC Grants Hub to find available grants and funding opportunities.

Regional Economic Development Grants

The Regional Economic Development Grants (RED Grants) program is a $50.85 million over nine years State Government initiative investing in locally-driven projects to stimulate economic growth and development in regional Western Australia.

Local Opportunities

The Great Southern Development Commission has a strong commitment to diversifying the region’s economic base, growth of business and entrepreneurship, retaining, attracting, and developing skilled people, and maximising local jobs.