RED Grants South West Regional Priorities
Overview
The South West Development Commission has identified key regional priority areas as part of its Strategic Plan. Projects that demonstrate alignment with the region’s priorities are viewed favourably through the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants Program.
The South West regional priorities are areas where significant opportunities exist for growth and diversification. Importantly, the region’s priorities support the intent of the State’s RED Grants Program, which aims to diversify regional economies and protect sustainable jobs.
In the South West, the RED Grants Program encourages any applications that support innovation, value-add and jobs in the South West region. The following sectors will be prioritised:
- Aboriginal owned businesses
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Creative Industries
- Visitor Economy
- Circular Economy
Projects that do not fall within these sectors but can demonstrate strong alignment with the Program Objectives and can effectively address the assessment criteriaREDs Outcomes and Measures, are still highly encouraged to apply.
Following are examples of identified opportunities within each regional priority focus area. For more information, please contact the team to discuss how your project aligns.
Aboriginal owned business
We encourage applications that support the sustainable development of Aboriginal-led enterprise and projects that increase the participation of Aboriginal people across all areas of economic and social life.
Government, businesses and the wider community have a significant role to play in working with Aboriginal people to achieve this outcome.
Priority initiatives and opportunities
- Increasing Aboriginal people’s participation in the local economy
- Building the capacity of Aboriginal-owned businesses and supporting joint venture partnerships
- Increasing skills and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people
- Ensuring the South West region’s iconic tourism assets are recognised as significant cultural and heritages sites of the local Noongar people
- Ensuring Aboriginal-owned enterprises are well-represented in tourism and events marketing
- Creating Aboriginal tourism experiences and products that highlight heritage, culture, and stories.
Manufacturing/Advanced Manufacturing
The region’s capabilities in technology and advanced manufacturing are growing at an unprecedented rate, providing pathways for future industry growth and diversification.
Priority initiatives and opportunities
- Supporting value-adding and attracting innovative manufacturing investments in the South West
- Supporting innovation in transport, building technologies, food processing, mining, agriculture and wine technologies
- Attracting investment in manufacturing and processing facilities
- Promoting industry and education partnerships to link students with the latest industry-ready skills and technologies
Creative Industries
The creative industries are a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and community vibrancy in the South West. Supporting this sector helps to diversify the regional economy, foster new business opportunities, and build a resilient, future-ready workforce. Creative industries also play a crucial role in enhancing liveability, attracting visitors, and promoting the South West’s unique cultural identity both nationally and internationally.
Priority initiatives and opportunities
- Supporting the economic development and growth of established creative SMEs by expanding market reach and exploring interstate or international opportunities for creatives in the South West region.
- Supporting regional business hubs for creatives to access shared workspaces, mentoring and professional development opportunities and helping to foster innovation, build networks and ultimately strengthen the South West’s reputation as a vibrant centre for the creative industries.
- Projects supported under the Creative Industries may include software and digital content, new or interactive technologies, fashion, graphic and product design and photography, film and music amongst others.
Visitor Economy
The visitor economy refers to the economic activity generated by people travelling to the South West, including spending on accommodation, food, transport, entertainment, and retail. By drawing and dispersing visitors throughout our diverse region, the visitor economy fosters community vibrancy, promotes cultural identity, and strengthens the South West’s position as a unique and desirable place to invest, live, work, and explore.
Priority initiatives and opportunities
- Enhance visitor transport connectivity enabling linkage between regional attractions & businesses
- Building regional identity, storytelling capacity, and encouraging dispersal throughout the region
- Unique projects that attract and encourage visitors to stay longer in the region and engage with South West businesses and communities
- Improving place-based experiences across the region
- Activating distinctive retail and hospitality spaces or precincts
Circular Economy
The circular economy helps regions become more resilient and generate jobs by promoting the reuse, repair, and recycling of materials. By moving away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ model, this approach reduces waste and environmental harm while creating economic opportunities through local supply chains and resource recovery.
Priority initiatives and opportunities
- Supporting clusters where the waste or by-products of one business become the raw materials for another, reducing landfill and supporting local manufacturing.
- Initiatives that may collect, repair, and redistribute used goods to keep materials in use and create local jobs.
- Supporting investment opportunities in battery storage, recycling and innovation
- Developing market opportunities for waste management and value-add products and services, including waste-to-energy initiatives
We’re here to help
If you have any questions, or need help with your application, please contact our team on 9792 2000 or email grantscoordinator@swdc.wa.gov.au .