South West Development Commission

The South West is the most popular regional tourist destination in Western Australia. 

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Your community

A time for celebrations and reflections

There are just four sleeps to Christmas day, and it is looking more and more festive as the hours go by.

Houses are twinkling with lights, the shops are busy, and excited children are lining up to have photos taken with Santa.

But all this festive activity isn't just a reminder that December 25 is nearing, it also signals that the end of the year isn't too far away.

Given that we are running out of calendar days for 2011, it's an ideal time to reflect on the year just gone.

At the Commission, we have had a successful past 12 months.

One of our highlights for 2011 was helping to secure Royalties for Regions funding for large-scale projects in the South West.

This funding included:

• $7.47million towards the expansion of the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
• $5million towards a coronary care unit at St John of Hospital in Bunbury
• $9.745million towards upgrading the Busselton and Dunsborough foreshores, and
• $25million towards a boat harbour at Augusta.

In addition, we teamed up with Royalties for Regions to put $1million towards having Drift, a surf-themed movie starring Myles Pollard, Xavier Samuel and Sam Worthington, filmed in the region.

Other highlights include facilitiating trade opportunities for South West businesses through promotions such as Indulgence Jiaxing, inspiring people to prepare for the future at Critical Horizons events, and supporting the development of Bunbury's cruise ship industry.

All in all 2011 was a productive year for the Commission - and we expect 2012 to be just as fruitful.

We have already begun planning for the year ahead.

For example, we have just announced the 42 events taking place in 2012 which will share in $110,000 in funding through our South West Events Program.

We wish you a happy and safe Christmas - and we hope to see you at one of the many exciting events taking place around our wonderful region in 2012.

Don Punch
South West Development Commission CEO

December 2011