Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

South West: A regional profile

dpird.wa.gov.au outh West covers an area of nearly 24,000 square kilometres and is known for its natural beauty and SOUTH WEST S Harvey typically Mediterranean climate. The South West is regional Western Australia’s most Bunbury Collie popular tourist destination and features Dunsborough some of the best natural wonders including Busselton Margaret River Nannup famous surfing beaches. The towns of Bridgetown Augusta, Margaret River and Dunsborough Manjimup are among the top destinations to Augusta

experience award-winning wineries, Pemberton restaurants, tall timber forests and ancient caves. The region has 12 local government areas with 40 per cent of the population residing in the cities of Bunbury and Busselton. These key urban centres provide a diverse range of high quality medical, educational, communications, commercial and administrative services. The South West benefits from strong economic growth, a skilled labour force with job diversity, business infrastructure and close proximity to expanding economies in south-east Asia. The production of alumina is a key driver of the mineral processing industry. Stable primary industry production diversifies the economic contribution of the region through its mining, agriculture, forestry and fishing industries.

Facts

Has a $1.9b mining Produced most of WA’s $44 million Produces 77% of Famous for surf industry mosly in wine exports in Australia’s truffles beaches and coal, alumina and 2015-16 and mushrooms wine production mineral sands

Collie power stations produce 71% of Margaret River 21% of the world’s WA’s base load region attracts Australia’s only electricity and 34.5% alumina comes from 86% of overseas silicon manufacturer of total electricity the South West production tourists Figures Economic Gross Regional Product

$13 billion 1.2% (2012-2017)

Mining Construction Hiring & real estate Other industries 18% 11% 10% 62% Source: DPIRD 2017 Gross Regional Product (GRP); ABS State Accounts (5220.0); ABS 2016 Census data. Employment Community

Retail trade Other Population 12% industries 41% Health care & social 175,904 Employed 12% 1.9% (2012-17)

persons Construction (2016) 10% 71,632 Indigenous population Manufacturing 9% 4,034 Education & Other 2.3% services training 8% 9% Median age Median annual income $33,800 – $41,599 41 95.5% Employment rate Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2016 Census of Population and Housing © Departmentof PrimaryIndustriesandRegional Development,2018 arising fromtheuse orreleaseofthisinformation or anypartofit. the StateofWestern Australia acceptnoliabilitywhatsoever byreasonofnegligenceorotherwise The ChiefExecutiveOfficerofthe DepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesandRegionalDevelopment Important disclaimer Phone: +61897922000 9th Floor, Bunbury Tower, 61Victoria Street,BunburyWestern Australia 6230 Department ofPrimaryIndustries andRegionalDevelopment South West DevelopmentCommission– For furtherinformationontheSouthWest, contact: | Email:[email protected]

| Website: swdc.wa.gov.au

2263/18 AUGUST 2018