Great Southern Development Commission

20/08/2026

GSDC welcomes the State Government's announcement of additional funding to support households and businesses as Albany transitions from the local gas network.

The package includes support to help more than 6,000 households and small businesses switch to bottled LPG or electrify, as well as energy audits for larger gas users to help them plan their transition.

Since the decision to decommission the network was announced, GSDC has worked with the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, The City of Albany and other partners to help ensure local impacts, community needs and regional perspectives were understood and considered as part of transition planning.

📝Read the full announcement: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/Major-funding-package-to-support-Albany-Gas-Transition-20260820
🔗Register to receive updates: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/energy-policy-wa/changes-the-albany-gas-distribution-system

19/08/2026

Koodjal Business Support workshop, next Wednesday in Tambellup / Tammar!

GSDC is pleased to partner with the Albany Business Centre to deliver the Koodjal Business Support program, helping Aboriginal businesses Start, Build and Grow in the Great Southern.

The next free workshop will be held in Tambellup / Tammar on Wednesday 26 August. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn and access practical support for your business.

View further details and book your spot below 👇

Are you an Aboriginal person in the Great Southern region with a dream of starting your own business? Whether you have a business idea or are just starting to explore your entrepreneurial spirit, this workshop is for you. Book now

17/08/2026

We asked Total Ag Centre in Katanning what a RED Grant has meant for their business, and for farmers across the upper Great Southern.

With support from a Round 7 RED Grant, Total Ag has expanded its dealership footprint, improving local access to agricultural machinery sales, servicing and support.

Watch the video to hear how local investment is supporting job creation and economic growth in the Great Southern.

If you have a locally-driven project coming up, get in touch with the team at GSDC to register your interest in Round 9 of the RED Grants program.

🔗 Learn more about RED Grants: https://gsdc.wa.gov.au/our-support/regional-economic-development-grant
📹 https://vimeo.com/gsdc/totalag?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

This is "Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant recipient - Total Ag Centre, Katanning" by Great Southern Dev Com on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

14/08/2026

The 2026 Great Southern Farmer Awards are happening next week!

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the farmers, innovators and ag businesses making a real difference across the Great Southern.

GSDC is proud to support the Awards, celebrating the strength of Great Southern agriculture and the people helping shape its future.

Grab your tickets now: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-great-southern-farmer-awards

Don't miss your chance to celebrate the important contribution of farmers to our local communities. Tickets are selling fast, so grab yours and help us celebrate farmers. Tickets available at https://events.humanitix.com/2026-great-southern-farmer-awards

13/08/2026

📋 Free procurement workshops in Albany next week.

Delivered through DPIRD’s Local Content Adviser Network, the workshops will help local organisations build practical skills, improve tender readiness and access more opportunities to supply to government.

Register now: https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/regional-communities/local-content-adviser-network/

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Interested in supplying goods, services or works to the WA Government?

DPIRD is delivering a series of free workshops at their Albany office this August to help regional businesses, contractors and community organisations better understand government procurement and strengthen their approach to tendering.

> Community Services workshop - 19 August, 10am-3pm
> Goods and Services workshop - 20 August, 9am-12.30pm
> Works workshop - 20 August, 1pm-5pm
> Complimentary lunch provided!

Delivered through DPIRD's Local Content Adviser Network, these workshops will help regional businesses build the skills to secure government work, grow local opportunities and strengthen regional supply chains.

🔗 Register now https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/regional-communities/local-content-adviser-network/

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

07/08/2026

Following the success of last year’s WA Fine Wine Showcase in Shanghai, GSDC is pleased to invite Great Southern wineries to register their interest in the 2026 WA Fine Wine Mission to China.

This year’s Fine Wine Mission will build on the momentum of the 2025 event, showcasing WA’s world-class wine to a targeted audience of consumers, trade professionals and industry influencers in Shanghai.

The opportunity is open to eligible wineries from the Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions with an established presence in the Chinese market.

📍 Shanghai, China
📅 7 - 8 November 2026
⏰ Expressions of Interest close 14 August 2026

Register your interest by emailing [email protected]

This program is supported by the Western Australian Wine Industry Partnership, an industry-led initiative supported by the WA Government.

Australian Trade and Investment Commission South West Development Commission WoWA Wine Western Australia Great Southern Wine Region Margaret River Wine

04/08/2026

Registrations are open for Wild Gravel 2026, returning to the spectacular Koi Kyeunu-ruff / Stirling Range on Saturday 24 October.

From family-friendly walks and beginner gravel rides to trail runs, endurance races and the new ‘Untamed’ events, Wild Gravel offers something for every pace and sense of adventure.

More than a race, it’s a celebration of community, outdoor recreation and the raw beauty of the Great Southern, bringing visitors into the region and showcasing one of WA’s most remarkable landscapes.

GSDC is proud to be a founding sponsor of Wild Gravel, supporting events that strengthen regional tourism, encourage participation and help position the Great Southern as a place of choice to live, work, visit and explore.

Head to the Wild Gravel website to learn more and register: https://wildgravel.com.au/

📸 Patrick Boere Photography

30/07/2026

Only one week remains to nominate for GSDC’s Board.

Board members play an important role in guiding GSDC’s strategic direction and helping shape decisions that support regional development, strengthen local economies and create long-term opportunities for Great Southern communities.

If you know someone with strong regional knowledge, leadership and a commitment to the Great Southern, encourage them to nominate via our website: www.gsdc.wa.gov.au/gsdcboard

Nominations close 4:00pm, 6 August 2026.

27/07/2026

Interested in supplying goods, services or works to the WA Government?

DPIRD is delivering a series of free workshops at their Albany office this August to help regional businesses, contractors and community organisations better understand government procurement and strengthen their approach to tendering.

> Community Services workshop - 19 August, 10am-3pm
> Goods and Services workshop - 20 August, 9am-12.30pm
> Works workshop - 20 August, 1pm-5pm
> Complimentary lunch provided!

Delivered through DPIRD's Local Content Adviser Network, these workshops will help regional businesses build the skills to secure government work, grow local opportunities and strengthen regional supply chains.

🔗 Register now https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/regional-communities/local-content-adviser-network/

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development