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Size: 39,007 square kilometres (15,060 square miles)
Population: 60,000
Commercial centres:  Albany; Denmark; Gnowangerup; Katanning; Kojonup; Mount Barker
Climate: Maritime, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers
Location: South coast bordering the Southern Ocean

Higher education:          
University of Western Australia, Albany Centre; South Regional TAFE

Landscape:                        
From mallee scrub in the north-east to karri forests in the south-west, with the ancient hills of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges in the centre of the region flanking the Kalgan River valley.
 
Ports
Port of Albany

Airports
Albany Airport

Economic Profile

The Great Southern is the second largest agricultural region in the state with the key sectors being grains and livestock. Tourism is another significant contributor to the region’s economy, which has a full range of world class tourist attractions and a diverse natural environment. The region hosts a range of major events, activities and attractions which support its growing tourism industry. Viticulture is a mature industry in the Great Southern. Ideally located for cool-climate grape production, Mount Barker and Frankland River regions account for the majority of current production.

Agriculture & Food Industry

Meat & Livestock

Livestock disposals constitute about 20% of the region’s agricultural value, and this is predominantly from the export of processed sheep and lambs. Wool remains a major livestock product and generates approximately 15% of the overall returns from the agriculture sector.
The region supports three export sheep abattoirs, two of which are major processors supplying final markets in North America, Asia and the Middle East. The overall production of meat and livestock continues to diversify and includes increasing amounts of free range chicken and pork. There is a growth in beef cattle feedlots and milk and eggs are also marketed from the region.
Investment opportunities exist for further value-adding to the production and processing of meat and livestock across the Great Southern.

Grains & Feeds

The Great Southern produces 12% of the total value of Western Australia’s crop production. The major plantings for human consumption include wheat, barley, oats and canola. Oaten hay for animal fodder is also an important commodity. The value of grains and feeds has steadily grown over the past decade.
The region’s counter-seasonal production advantages, the capacity to rotate crops, easy access to the Port of Albany and a reputation for safe, high quality products provide opportunities for a steady increase in agricultural exports.

Dairy

Lower land costs and a favourable climate make the south coast in particular a prime location for establishing a large scale dairy operation. Ideal climatic conditions, including extended and plentiful rain, with specific coastal advantages contribute to greater cow comfort and reliable grain and pasture production.
 
There is the opportunity to establish a large scale ‘greenfields’ dairy farm for the production of high quality milk. An operation of between 1,000 and 6,000 head, based on a vertically integrated business model comprised of feed mixing, milk production and processing all under one company and possibly at a single location, would provide significant economies of scale needed to compete in domestic and international markets. 
 

Horticulture

The region has a reputation for supplying safe, quality assured products. It has ideal cool climate growing conditions, with clean air and consistent rainfall.
A range of vegetables and fruits are under production and the opportunity exists for further production of fruits and vegetables, including Asian vegetables, and in value added processing of vegetables for export.
Extensive groundwater resources have recently been identified across the lower Great Southern.  Information has now been produced in a series of maps which delineate prospective zones, depth, quality and potential quantity of water.
 

Aquaculture & Seafood

Ocean and estuary waters of the Great Southern have proven production capability for marine aquaculture. Deep bays provide consistent water quality and temperature and the growing seasons are free of extremes of temperature and dry periods. Comprehensively researched Aquaculture Development Zones are being planned for the south coast, which will significantly facilitate the project approvals process for investors. Albany Aquaculture Park on the shores of King George Sound currently provides one-hectare serviced sites for lease.
The establishment of a multi-species shellfish hatchery at Albany (currently under construction) will drive an expansion of aquaculture throughout the state by providing industry with a consistent supply of spat across a variety of species. Opportunities exist in the production of a range of seafood including abalone, mussels, oysters and finfish.
 

Premium Food & Beverages

The Great Southern has an adequate supply of industrial land suitably zoned, and services for food processing. High quality transport infrastructure is also in place, including road, rail and port facilities.
Product opportunities include malt production from local barley, oilseed processing from canola, oat milling, specialty flour production from wheat, beef, pork, chicken and dairy processing.
Region based production of wine, whisky, beer and other beverages has established national and international reputations and the potential for further development.
Integration of the food sector with tourism, including wine and gourmet trails, also represents a major opportunity.