The Pilbara is Western Australia's second most northern region, defined by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Northern Territory border to the east. The Kimberley Region lies to its north across the Great Sandy Desert and the Pilbara's southern reaches border the Gascoyne, Mid-West and Goldfields-Esperance regions. The region covers a total area of 507,896km (including offshore islands).

Most of the inhabitants of the Pilbara are located in the western third of the region, whereas the eastern third is largely desert with few inhabitants. The Pilbara has four local government areas - the City of Karratha, Shires of Ashburton and East Pilbara and the Town of Port Hedland. Other towns are Roebourne, Dampier, Onslow, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Wickham, Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine.

The Pilbara is economically significant, both nationally and internationally, as the region is responsible for a major portion of the production, value, exports and investments of extraction industries commodities, particularly iron ore and liquefied natural gas (LNG). In addition to the immense reserves of natural resources, tourism, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture all feature prominently in the strengths and opportunities in the Region.

The South West is one of Western Australia’s nine recognised regions located outside the Perth metropolitan area. Fronting the Indian and Southern oceans, covering 24,000 square kilometres and including 12 local government areas, the South West is the most populous and economically diverse of WA’s regions.

Of the landmass that comprises the region, about two-thirds is made up of State Forest, National Parks and regional parks, with the southern forests being the largest component. About 25% is occupied by agricultural and rural uses, with about 8% used for industrial and urban development.

The economy benefits from the combination of the commodity rich hinterland (agriculture and mineral resources) in close proximity to a working port. Alumina refining and associated construction play a major role in economic output and employment. Agriculture, forestry and associated processing are significant sectors supplying dairy, beef, vegetables and wood/timber products for domestic consumption and increasingly for export markets.

Historically, timber production and agriculture have been the predominant land uses within the Margaret River region, which has some of the most productive agricultural land in the State. The agriculture sector is diverse and includes a variety of cropping, viticulture and wine, fruit, flower and vegetable production, olives and olive oil, pasture production and livestock - beef and dairy cattle, sheep and deer, timber and artisan cheese production.

The South West is one of Western Australia’s nine recognised regions located outside the Perth metropolitan area. Fronting the Indian and Southern oceans, covering 24,000 square kilometres and including 12 local government areas, the South West is the most populous and economically diverse of WA’s regions.

Of the landmass that comprises the region, about two-thirds is made up of State Forest, National Parks and regional parks, with the southern forests being the largest component. About 25% is occupied by agricultural and rural uses, with about 8% used for industrial and urban development.

The economy benefits from the combination of the commodity rich hinterland (agriculture and mineral resources) in close proximity to a working port. Alumina refining and associated construction play a major role in economic output and employment. Agriculture, forestry and associated processing are significant sectors supplying dairy, beef, vegetables and wood/timber products for domestic consumption and increasingly for export markets.

Historically, timber production and agriculture have been the predominant land uses within the Margaret River region, which has some of the most productive agricultural land in the State. The agriculture sector is diverse and includes a variety of cropping, viticulture and wine, fruit, flower and vegetable production, olives and olive oil, pasture production and livestock - beef and dairy cattle, sheep and deer, timber and artisan cheese production.

The Wheatbelt is so called because of its extensive agricultural industry. The region is the primary producer of cereal crops in the state and contributes other agricultural products such as canola, olives, vegetables, wine grapes, honey, citrus fruits and livestock.

Whilst agriculture remains the dominant industry, the economy of the region is also supported by mining, commerce, retail, manufacturing, fishing and tourism.

The natural and cultural attributes of the region make it extremely versatile in tourism service and product offerings.

Support for local government, business and communities is required to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the regional, state, national and international tourist sectors. A collaboration model across 42 shires is required.

A ‘Wander the Wheatbelt’ online platform is being investigated with short term opportunities to boost tourism.

The Wheatbelt is so called because of its extensive agricultural industry. The region is the primary producer of cereal crops in the state and contributes other agricultural products such as canola, olives, vegetables, wine grapes, honey, citrus fruits and livestock.

Whilst agriculture remains the dominant industry, the economy of the region is also supported by mining, commerce, retail, manufacturing, fishing and tourism.

The natural and cultural attributes of the region make it extremely versatile in tourism service and product offerings.

Support for local government, business and communities is required to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the regional, state, national and international tourist sectors. A collaboration model across 42 shires is required.

A ‘Wander the Wheatbelt’ online platform is being investigated with short term opportunities to boost tourism.

The Goldfields-Esperance is located in the south-eastern corner of Western Australia and is the largest region in the state with a land area of 950,449 square kilometres. The region is more than three times the size of the state of Victoria and over a third of Western Australia's total land mass. It is bounded by the Pilbara region to the north, the Mid-West and Wheatbelt region to the west, the Great Southern region to the south-west, the Southern Ocean to the south and the WA border to the east.

The region has a long, rich association with gold mining, being the premier producer for the state. Nickel also features with strong production and healthy reserves. Agriculture and gold-related tourism are also strong contributors to the region's economy, as well as fishing and aquaculture along the coastlines of Esperance and Ravensthorpe.

Climate change poses a potential range of threats and opportunities for mining regions around Australia. Recent studies have suggested that mine operations as well as the related infrastructure, businesses and communities associated with mining, may be affected by flooding, drought, bushfires, storms and sea level rise.

The Goldfields-Esperance is located in the south-eastern corner of Western Australia and is the largest region in the state with a land area of 950,449 square kilometres. The region is more than three times the size of the state of Victoria and over a third of Western Australia's total land mass. It is bounded by the Pilbara region to the north, the Mid-West and Wheatbelt region to the west, the Great Southern region to the south-west, the Southern Ocean to the south and the WA border to the east.

The region has a long, rich association with gold mining, being the premier producer for the state. Nickel also features with strong production and healthy reserves. Agriculture and gold-related tourism are also strong contributors to the region's economy, as well as fishing and aquaculture along the coastlines of Esperance and Ravensthorpe.

The Goldfields-Esperance region also has a rich history in agricultural and pastoral activities and a notable recreational and fishing industry. Southern parts of the region, including the Shires of Esperance and Ravensthorpe, contains its most valuable agriculture and fishing areas where the majority of the regions livestock and cropping occurs.

The Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative (NNSIDI) will support the creation of new and innovative seed production enterprises throughout the Pilbara, Goldfields Esperance, and the Kimberley. The native seed industry has potential to be a viable alternative to the current practice of wild harvesting.

Mining companies require vast quantities of native seed to meet their post-closure revegetation obligations and their demand for native seed is outstripping supply. As a result, remnant plant communities are coming under increasing pressure. Seed Production Areas (SPAs) can play a role in meeting this shortfall and boost economic development throughout regional Western Australia.

Esperance is already home to an emerging shellfish aquaculture industry. Wylie Bay Abalone is a joint venture abalone ranching project located in Wylie Bay,

Esperance operated by Ocean Grown Abalone and Ocean King Fishing. Through the construction of purpose-built artificial abalone reefs, Ocean Grown Abalone produces commercial-scale quantities of premium, ‘wild-harvested’, Greenlip abalone.

The mining sector is critical for the Goldfields. Gold and nickel mining operations define the Goldfields region and provide the foundation for many of its settlements. The exploration, extraction and processing of these resources through well-established supply links continue to underpin the prosperity of the region.

A top-tier mining jurisdiction, the Goldfields- Esperance region is one of the most resource rich areas on the planet. It is home to a suite of critical materials - lithium, cobalt, vanadium, tantalum, nickel and graphite - used to produce energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion batteries. The region also possesses non-battery minerals used in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and energy storage systems, including significant deposits of rare earths.

The Goldfields-Esperance region is already an established and expanding producer of some of the key minerals for the global lithium-ion battery supply chain. Current Goldfields-Esperance lithium mining operations include the Bald Hill project near Kambalda, the Mount Marion project near Coolgardie and Mount Cattlin in the Shire of Ravensthorpe.

A number of locations around the region have been shortlisted for possible lithium refinery.
The Mount Weld mine, near Laverton, ranks as one of the richest major rare-earth deposits in the world.

Lynas Corporation, which operates Mount Weld, has announced its intention to develop an upstream processing plant in the Goldfields in a move that will further consolidate the region’s position as one of the premier rare earths producing jurisdictions outside of China.

The Goldfields-Esperance region is located in the south-eastern corner of Western Australia and is the largest region in the state with a land area of 771,276 square kilometres.

A variety of established and developing trails helps you, the visitor, connect to our heritage, culture, arts, mining, gem collecting, genealogy, nature and environment through places such as the ghost town of Kanowna, the Great Western Woodlands, Coolgardie' Mother of the Goldfields', and more.

The 965km Golden Quest Discovery Trail or the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail are just a couple of ways to experience our history.

Our Local Governments play a key role in Australia's efforts to minimise waste and reduce emissions. Together we will continue to seek more sustainable solutions for our region.

In 2022-23, the GVROC Regional Climate Alliance will investigate more feasible and environmentally friendly options for regional waste solutions.

We will develop a regional strategy and promote best practice solutions in our region.

The coastal part of the Great Southern region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with typically warm summers and cool, wet winters. Rainfall decreases and temperature increases moving from the coast to inland areas. The north and east of the region is considered to be semi-arid with hot and dry conditions. Higher rainfall areas tend to support a wider range and greater diversity of industry activities.

The Great Southern is Western Australia’s southernmost region, bordered by the Southern Ocean where the coast stretches for approximately 250 kilometres. Spanning over 39,007 square kilometres, the region represents 1.5% of Western Australia’s total land mass and extends inland for 200 kilometres.

Deemed as one of the most liveable regions in WA, the Great Southern is renowned for its unspoilt natural environment including white sand beaches, tall timber forests, wildflowers and a spectacular rugged coastline complete with whales, dolphins and other marine life, the region has an inspiring and diverse tourism offering.

The Great Southern region is known for its primary production, natural and harvested fishing, aquaculture, award winning vineyards, fine food and wine culture, ecotourism and natural attractions.

The City of Albany, the State’s oldest European settlement (settled in 1826) is the region’s administrative, business and financial hub.

The moderate coastal climate and clean image associated with the Great Southern has enabled the Region to become a prime centre for production of high value fruits, nuts and vegetables including strawberries, potatoes, and asparagus. Being free from major diseases and pests, the region is an ideal location for fruit and vegetable production.

Productive land and generally reliable growing conditions support premium food producers in the region. Wagyu beef, truffles, seafood, dairy products, organic foods, pantry products and more attract attention for their quality and provenance.

The woodchip industry continues to be one of the primary exporters in the region. The dominant species planted are Tasmanian blue gums and pines.

The Great Southern is the State’s second largest wine grape producing region, with many wines receiving international recognition. In 2021, the top five varieties in the Great Southern were Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon.

The commercial fishing industry on the south coast is an important contributor to the socioeconomic health of the region. There is a wide diversity of products including pilchards, salmon, crabs, herring, estuarine species, deep sea table fish, sharks, rock lobster and aquaculture species such as oysters and mussels

Great Southern aquaculture took a step change in 2017 with the opening of the Albany Shellfish Hatchery. The hatchery supplies shellfish spat to aquaculture operations around Western Australia’s coastline, and to operations elsewhere in Australia.

The tourism sector is a key component of the economy within the region. The coastline is rugged, exciting and accessible, with Misery Beach being named Australia’s best in 2022 by Tourism Australia.

Little Beach, Blossoms Beach, Greens Pool and Peaceful Bay are other Great Southern beaches recommended by the Australia’s South West Regional Tourism Organisation. The region also includes some of the oldest granite ranges in the world including the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.

The Region includes part of the 1.5million hectare Biosphere Reserve of the Fitzgerald River National Park and is recognised as a place of environmental significance by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The Reserve ranks among the most important areas for plant biodiversity in the world and contains over 250 rare or geographically restricted plant and animal species, about many of which little is known. Of the 5,000 or so vascular plant species native to this area, 79% are endemic.

The Great Southern tourism experience has expanded in recent years with a four-star hotel in Albany - additional cellar doors and restaurants throughout the region, significant upgrades to regional trails, and the spectacular Bremer Bay Orca experience where the deep-sea Bremer Canyon Sub-Basin attracts Killer Whales and other unique marine life.

The Great Southern is the fifth most visited region in the State of WA, with around 740,000 overnight visitors each year. This includes 67,000 interstate visitors and 61,000 international visitors.

High-performing waste and recycling systems which see materials recovered, reused and recycled can and do reduce this impact. The creation of a circular economy has the potential to harness the economic value of these materials that would otherwise be lost.

A circular economy means transitioning from the current take-make-use and dispose system to a material efficiency approach which aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value for as long as possible.

Western Australians are consciously reusing, reprocessing, recycling and avoiding waste at an increasing rate. We are generating less waste and recycling more. However, to protect our unique environment from the impacts of waste and litter, and to maximise the benefits of good waste management, more work needs to be done.

Plantation Energy Australia (PEA) is a densified biomass fuel pellet manufacturing company in Albany. The pellets are made from non-commercial timber and harvest residues from sustainably managed plantations. PEA expect to export up to 250 000 tonnes of pellets per year through the port.

Composting or having a worm farm at home is an inexpensive and natural way to reduce your waste and benefit your garden! You can recycle your vegetable scraps, fallen leaves, lawn clippings and other kitchen and garden waste into a fantastic organic material to improve your garden soil.

The Kimberley is the northernmost of the nine regions of Western Australia. The diverse population is made up of 50% Aboriginal people representing over 30 traditional language groups. Over 91% of the land in the region has been determined under Native Title and comes under the control or influence of those indigenous people.
The Kimberley region is one of the most remote and untouched ancient landscapes on earth, which features remarkable coastal and inland environment, and is home to many unique birds, mammals, reptiles and marine life. The major regional industries are mining, tourism and agriculture.

Broome is situated along the coastline, in the semi-arid margin of the canning Basin. With a population of 17,000 people, Broome is a recognised pearling and tourist port town, and a hub servicing the pastoral and resources industries.

Derby is located 200km north of Broome. Derby is on Salt-Water country and boasts the second largest tidal movements in the world and is the gateway to the thousand islands of the Dampier Peninsula.

Fitzroy Crossing is located on the banks of the Fitzroy River. With a range of fertile soil types, the area is used extensively for livestock and horticulture production.

Halls Creek comprises of desert country and pastoral grazing land with a number of unique natural attractions such as the World heritage Listed Purnululu National Park and Wolf Creek Crater forming the basis of a tourism industry.

Kununurra sits just 37km west of the Northern Territory border and is a hub for tourism, mining and agriculture including the world heritage listed Purnululu National Park – Bungle Bungle Ranges, the Ord River Irrigation Project and the massive man-made Lake Argyle.

Wyndham is located at the point at which five rivers flow into the Cambridge Gulf and was established in 1886 as a port town which was the principal point of entry during the gold rush. Today, its port services the growing pastoral and agriculture industries of the region.

Reducing energy use, climate change risks and waste; conserving water and protecting the natural environment; and planning for sustainable development are just some of the ways the City of Karratha works toward a thriving and sustainable natural and built environment.

The Northern Hub is one of eight national Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs created as an initiative of the Future Drought Fund. The consortium of regional partners is committed to building the resilience and sustainable prosperity of rural industries and communities across the region.

The Hub will transform the drought resilience of farmers, traditional owners and communities in the Northern Territory and Northern Western Australian tropical top end and rangelands. This will be achieved by focusing on pastoral, broadacre, horticulture and forestry systems and water management.

Here in Kimberley, arts and culture lie in the heart of our community. Our vibrant music scene, festivals and events, artisans and galleries all add something special to every stay.

Though Centre 64 is our undisputed hub for all things arts and culture, you’ll find our creative spirit sprinkled all throughout town. Find amazing blown glass and functional art, unique jewellery pieces, and hand-crafted artisan creations.

The cultures of the East Kimberley are as diverse as the landscape itself. The Aboriginal influence in the area dates back to over 40,000 years and the link from the Miriwoong people of today back through to their ancestors is still very strong traditionally evidenced through the examples of rock art dotted throughout the region. The traditional beliefs of the local aboriginal people are very much alive in their art work of today, in their dancing, their ceremonial and spiritual rites and in the strong family ties.