Great Southern Development Commission

📊 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

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.

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!