Message from the CEO

New Sydney route one of the developments to look forward to in 2024

As the year draws to a close and we start looking forward to 2024, we also pause to reflect on the achievements of the past 12 months. At the Commission, we have continued to grow and diversify the region's economy, while increasing liveability – all to support jobs and quality of life for the residents of today and tomorrow.

From the continued transition of Collie's economy to the progress made on Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront and planning for an Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH), there are many milestones to celebrate. We have also boosted business opportunities through the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants, TradeStart and Local Content Adviser Network programs. At the same time, we have tackled challenges including childcare and housing shortages.

If you’re like us, you are looking forward to a well-earned summer break (our offices are closed from December 25 2023 to January 1 2024). The Christmas-New Year period provides a welcome opportunity to spend with family and friends. If you are working or volunteering, we thank you for your efforts.

For those who are planning to take time off, the South West is an ideal region to spend your free time. It is truly one of the best places to relax in and explore – an increasing number of people are catching on about what a great place the region is to live and visit.

The South West was recently named the fastest-growing regional destination in the country by the Tourism & Transport Forum. We’re expecting the local tourism industry to be further boosted when Jetstar commences direct flights between Sydney and Busselton in March.

The three-per-week service is expected to carry more than 50,000 customers between Sydney and the world-renowned wine and surf region each year, making a visit to our region easier than ever for domestic and international tourists. Which is great news for our region as we head into the New Year.

– Mellisa Teede

Pictured: South West Development Commission chair Danny Griffin and board member Stan Liaros.

Leadership

Stan on board with the Commission

We invite members of the community to apply for a position on our Board. The successful candidate will join a great group of people setting policy and make decisions about a range of economic and regional development projects.

Among those with a seat at our boardroom table is The Apprentice and Traineeship Company CEO Stan Liaros, who was recently appointed for a three-year term.

Mr Liaros is actively involved in business and community activities in the South West of Western Australia where he strongly advocates for employment and training in the region.

He is also chair of Aqwest (Bunbury Water Corporation), and a board member of the WA Construction Training Fund.

He is a former chair of the Apprentice Employment Network WA and the South West Academy of Sport, and was senior vice-president of the South West Football League for five years.

Mr Liaros has previously been a member of the SWDC Board.

“I am genuinely excited about returning to the Board of the SWDC at a time when the South West region is in a growth phase with opportunities that abound alongside some challenging issues that will need the Commission to play a coordinating and facilitating role in the region,” Mr Liaros said.

“I believe I can provide a broad and experienced perspective to the Board’s deliberations in a wide range of areas and in conjunction with the SWDC staff contribute to the growth and development of the South West.”

Pictured: Julie Wade, Zoe Bodycoat, Jesse McDonald, Matina Aitken, Mellisa Teede and Michelle Elson from the South West Development Commission at Eaton Fair Shopping Centre.

Buy local

Support small businesses this festive season

This Christmas, we encourage you to shop locally. By purchasing presents in the South West, you will invest in your community. What a great gift to give!

When you shop locally, you support local jobs, training and businesses. When businesses benefit they are more likely to give back by supporting local charities, events and sports teams. Meaning everyone benefits. Including the community you call home.

Here at the Commission, we are enthusiastic supporters of the local business community. Here are some of the ways we can assist.

Pictured: Howard Park Wines has achieved a listing at a restaurant in Singapore.

Small and medium-sized enterprises

Here at the South West Development Commission, we work globally to get the best results locally. Contracted by the Australian Trade Commission to deliver Austrade’s TradeStart services across the South West, our team supports businesses to reach new markets. With our assistance, more and more local businesses are achieving success in the global marketplace.

Reason to celebrate

Howard Park Wines is toasting success in the Singapore market, following a trade mission to the South East Asian city-state in September.

The Essence of Australia’s South West showcase event gave Singapore a taste of our wonderful part of the world.

Organised by our TradeStart team and officially opened by Australia's High Commissioner to Singapore Allaster Cox, the event was attended by trade and media representatives as well as the general public.

As a result of the trade mission, Howard Park Wines achieved a listing at top Singapore restaurant Burnt Ends – and its sparkling is now being poured by the glass to guests.

The Howard Park Petit Jeté NV is sourced from Great Southern and Pemberton.

“We were very happy with the trip – it’s a lot of effort for everyone involved with these events so to get this result is wonderful and a great endorsement of our sparkling wine program,” Howard Park Wines sales director Richard Burch said.

Pictured: Bettenay Wine, Accommodation and Nougat owner and operator Greg Bettenay (second right) shows his products to Emma Fishburn, Mellisa Teede and Jesse McDonald from the South West Development Commission.

Small and medium-sized enterprises

Across the South West region, funding from the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants is helping local businesses to take that next step. By getting behind the people who are behind local businesses in our region, we are supporting economic growth and diversification. Bettenay's is among the businesses unlocking their potential with our support – and we were pleased to call in while on a wider visit to Cowaramup.

Margaret River gourmet food and wine business expands offerings

For almost 35 years, people have been visiting Bettenay’s to enjoy hand-crafted wine and nougat in a tranquil Cowaramup setting overlooking a lake and vineyard.

Now, with the support of a Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant, the business is expanding – giving locals and visitors more reasons to visit.

The installation of a second kitchen has enabled the business to diversify its hospitality offerings, while also expanding nougat manufacturing.

Cooking demonstrations are giving visitors more opportunities to learn, taste and be part of the Margaret River Region's gourmet food and wine experience.

A chef has been employed as a result of the expansion, with plans for functions.

“It’s opened up a whole new ball game because the kitchen we had was only for nougat-making,” Bettenay Wine, Accommodation and Nougat owner and operator Greg Bettenay said.

“It’s been a bonus to have a second kitchen, we’re really enjoying it.”

Pictured: Busselton Margaret River Airport.

Industry-led Infrastructure

Busselton Margaret River Airport business case off the ground

It's an exciting time for the region's tourism industry. Jetstar has announced a passenger route between Sydney and the Busselton Margaret River Airport will commence in March 2024. Meanwhile, we are working with the City of Busselton and other stakeholders on a business case for further development of a new terminal and associated infrastructure.

Following a procurement process, the City of Busselton has engaged consultant KPMG to carry out the business case work.

It is expected that the consultant’s work will be finalised by the end of March 2024, and will provide a robust case for determining an investment decision for a new terminal by potential funding partners including the State and Federal Governments.

The business case is jointly funded by the South West Development Commission and City of Busselton, and also supported by contributions from other South West local governments, due to the regional importance of the airport.

We are chairing the working group for the business case, which comprises representatives from all levels of Government.

The commencement of the business case represents the latest step with planning for the development. The State Government has provided significant support towards the development of the Busselton Margaret River Airport, leading to the securing of Melbourne and Sydney routes.

Pictured: South West Development Commission chief executive officer Mellisa Teede, Western Australian Senator Louise Pratt, Margaret River Busselton Tourist Association chair Stuart Hicks, Warren Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie, Wadandi Cultural Custodian Josh Whiteland and SWDC chair Danny Griffin at the new Ancient Lands Experience at Ngilgi Cave.

Industry-led Infrastructure

Now open: Ancient Lands Experience at Ngilgi Cave

Our local decision-making is being seen right across the region in the funding we provide to support projects. The new Ancient Lands Experience is one of the projects we have supported through a Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant.

The team at the Commission plays an important role in the administration of the Regional Economic Development (RED) grants program, including decision-making around the allocation of grants.

So, it is always great to be able to get out of the office and see first-hand projects that we have supported through this State Government grants program. We were honoured to recently have the chance to attend the official opening of the Ancient Lands Experience at Ngilgi Cave.

Set above-ground at Ngilgi Cave, Ancient Lands Experience inspires visitors to discover the formation of the region in ancient times on the walk to the main attraction.

A series of interactive installations woven throughout the natural bushland pay homage to the landscape's formation, the limestone caves, the 60,000-year custodianship of the Wadandi people, and the flora and fauna found in the region today.

Well done to everyone involved in bringing this Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association project to fruition, including the Association’s in-house team, Gibson Group, and the more than 20 local businesses and suppliers engaged.

Pictured: At WesTrac Technology Training Centre – John McKnight, Sheldon Lewis, Dave Crozier, Dalton Boothby, Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns, Alex Jackson, John Kearney from DPC, Pip Kirby from South West Development Commission and Jeremy Manuel from WesTrac.

Industry-led workforce

The State Government is transitioning Collie away from a reliance on the coal sector. The Collie Futures Fund is diversifying the economy, unlocking fresh opportunities for the South West town as new industry establishes in Collie.

Game-changing industries have been incentivised to establish in Collie through the Collie Futures Fund – and among those putting the South West town on the on the world map as a leader in autonomous technology training is the WesTrac Technology Training Centre.

The centre is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, has trained up hundreds from WA and wider Australia, and is now attracting people from overseas.

The visit by employees from Toromont Cat – the Caterpillar Dealer in Eastern Canada – marked another accomplishment for the cutting-edge training facility.

More than 500 students have enhanced their skills at the advanced training centre since it was officially opened in November 2020.

The arrival of the group from Canada marked the first-time students have travelled from overseas to take up training following delays during the COVID pandemic.

Pictured: South West Development Commission chief executive officer Mellisa Teede, Bunbury Fringe artistic director Jo O'Dea, and Bunbury MLA Don Punch showcase the Bunbury Fringe programs.

Grant to further open up popular Bunbury event to deaf community

We are committed to supporting the development of thriving, diverse and creative communities. In line with this, we are pleased to announce funding towards Bunbury Fringe for an Auslan interpreter for selected shows over the next three years. This will mean people from the deaf community will be able to enjoy this popular festival.

We are delighted a total of $7,500 spread across 2024, 2025 and 2026 will support event organisers in ensuring Bunbury Fringe can be enjoyed by the deaf community in future years.

The program for the 2024 event provides clear information – by way of an icon – on the shows where Auslan interpretation is available.

Bunbury Fringe chairperson Martyn Dunbar-Stuart welcomed the funding boost from the Commission.

“Bunbury Fringe believes the arts are for everyone and strives to provide accessibility to all members of our community,” Mr Dunbar-Stuart said.

“There are always costs involved and grants like this one really help us to work towards that goal. We have had an interpreter at previous events but with costs going up in every area this was one of the things we had to consider if we could afford to continue. With dedicated funding this means we can now guarantee Auslan interpretation at selected shows over the next three years.”

Pictured: The Nannup Music Festival.

Events

What's On

Start planning how you will spend 2024! Here is a list of some of the WA Government-sponsored events coming up in the first few months of the new year.

Bunbury Fringe, 19 – 27 January 2024, Bunbury

Busselton Jetty Swim, 10 – 11 February 2024, Busselton

2024 Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, 16 – 18 February 2024, Boyup Brook

Nannup Music Festival, 1 – 4 March 2024, Nannup

RAC Karri Valley Triathlon, 16 – 17 March, 2024 Karri Valley