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One of 54 ACCs across Australia working with government, business and non profit groups to grow local communities.
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South West Region of Western AustraliaThe South West Region has one of the most diverse industry bases in Australia. Bordered by the Indian Ocean in the west and the Southern Ocean in the south, the region covers 12 local government areas from Harvey and Collie in the north, and Boyup Brook and Manjimup in the east and Nannup and Augusta-Margaret River in the south. The important agricultural products of the region are beef, sheep (wool and meat) dairying, vegetables, fruit (mainly apples) and wine. Over recent years the area devoted to grape growing and the volume of wine production has shown a marked increase. Forestry is a major regional industry, especially in the Shire of Manjimup. It involves felling, logging, sawmilling, and other processing such as wood chipping. Large hardwood timber mills are located at Manjimup and Pemberton. A substantial softwood milling and processing plant is situated at Dardanup. Other major manufacturing industries rely upon the processing of minerals. These include an alumina refinery near Collie, a titanium dioxide manufacturing facility at Kemerton north of Bunbury, and two synthetic rutile plants. Coal, mineral sands and alumina processing comprise over 90 per cent of the value of mineral production in the region. Mineral sands is mined at Capel, Busselton and Jangardup. Electricity is generated from Collie coal at power stations near Collie and at Bunbury, with more than 60 per cent of the State's electrical power produced in the South West region. The City of Bunbury is a major service centre for the surrounding areas. A number of government departments, as well as large retail and other commercial outlets are located in Bunbury. The city also has a deep water port and is the centre for the regional rail system. Tourism is important in the areas serviced by the Bunbury, Busselton, Manjimup and August-Margaret River local authorities. The natural beauty of the region lends itself to nature-based tourism. The South West region is expected to account for 7 per cent of the State's population growth over the next 20 years, and 19 per cent of non-metropolitan growth, the highest growth of any region outside the metropolitan area. The most substantial growth is predicted within the Greater Bunbury area and the shires of Busselton and Augusta-Margaret River. Compared with Western Australia's eight other regional areas, the South West has:
IndustriesIn recent years, the industries in Western Australia which have shown the strongest employment growth overall were service industries. These were:
Emerging industries in Western Australia include communication and telecommunications, computer services, entertainment including cinemas and fast food retailing, labour hire and recruitment and environmental and land care activities. The South West has capitalized on several of these industries, and outpaces most other regions other than Perth. Growing industries in the South West region include:Mining and power generationMining is the biggest sector of the economy in the South West, generating $985 million in 1996/97. The industry employs about 4 per cent of the South West labour market, while power generation employs another 1 per cent. The new Collie Power Station, completed at a cost of more than $575 million, came on-line in 1999. AgricultureAgriculture generates more than $40 million annually, with some 2424 farmers on 752,000 hectares. The region is the State's premier producer of milk, beef, vegetables, fruit and wine. Timber and forest productsTimber and forest products in the region generates income of more than $378 million annually (ex-mill value). The region provides approximately 80 per cent of the State's hardwood and softwood timber production. ConstructionThe growth in other industries, particularly in tourism and mining, processing and manufacturing industries, has spurred the construction industry in recent years. The total value of South West building approvals in 1996/97 amounted to $296 million, or 10.2% of the State total. This figure represents both residential and non-residential building. Tourism and hospitalityTourism continues to play an important role in the South West economy, attracting more than 1.5 million overnight visitors annually, who spend about $255 million. CommerceStrong urban development has seen a corresponding growth in the retail and service sector, especially in Bunbury, the region's dominant commercial centre. Retail turnover in the region exceeds $800 million annually. South West Area Map
Maps courtesy of the South West Development Commission |
| PO Box 1827, Bunbury WA 6231 |
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