Skip to content Skip to section navigation
Increase font size
Decrease font size
Print this page
Start of section Navigation Start of content

About us

We are part of the West Australian Government, working under the umbrella of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Our aim is to make the South West region an even better place to live, work and invest. We do so by partnering with communities, government, business and industry to identify and support projects that benefit the region. Developing the region's economy and improving quality of life are key areas of focus.

The South West Development Commission is part of the West Australian Government and works in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our aim is to make the South West region an even better place to live, work and invest. We do so by partnering with communities, government, business and industry to identify and support projects that benefit the region. Developing the region's economy and improving quality of life are key areas of focus.
The Commission’s role is wide-ranging when it comes to economic development. From providing a range of business development advisory services, community capacity building, facilitation and navigation of government, administering grants programs to supporting key projects and fostering trade, the Commission works in a dynamic way to grow and diversify the economy, creating job and business opportunities in the process.

Our Vision

By 2020 the South West of Western Australia is recognised internationally as a region of excellence.

Our Mission

To develop the region's economy and enhance those qualities which make the South West the best place in which to live, work and invest.

A brief history

The South West Development Commission was enacted in April 1994 under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993. It is one of nine uniformly legislated agencies – operating under the umbrella of the Department of Regional Development and Primary Industries – that serve different regions of Western Australia.

Prior to 1994, the South West Development Commission was known as the South West Development Authority. The Authority was established by its own act of parliament in 1984 to plan, coordinate and promote the economic and social development of the South West region of Western Australia.

Achievements of the Authority ranged from the development of Bunbury as a regional centre through the Better Cities Project, to the establishment of the Bunbury Institute of Advanced Education (now Edith Cowan University South West Campus).

Useful Links & Documents