Offering visitors to the Great Southern region a unique tourism experience is a key focus of the projects set to receive funding, as part of the McGowan Government's Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The McGowan Government has allocated $23.9 million over four years to the RED grants program, administered by the nine Regional Development Commissions, providing $723,586 to the Great Southern region in the first round of funding.
The National Trust of Australia (WA) will receive a grant of $191,964 towards the upgrade of the Strawberry Hill heritage site, in the lead-up to the 2026 bicentenary celebrations.
The National Trust aims to increase visitor numbers to Strawberry Hill to 20,000 by 2026-27, making it one of the most significant heritage experiences in Western Australia.
The City of Albany will receive $100,000 for the Albany Town Hall: Western Australia's Regional Smart Cultural Capital project to redevelop the hall into a contemporary visual arts and community space including a gallery, event space, project area, offices and improved accessibility.
Smart technology to enhance the visitor experience will include a website and cultural archive, digital access to information, and smart lighting and energy.
The project is expected to create up to 43 new jobs during the construction phase, through venue and event management and the broader community and service sector.
Nine Great Southern region projects will receive RED grants, with grants in other regions to be announced in coming weeks.
As noted by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The Great Southern has some of WA's best tourist attractions, and we want to supercharge the tourism potential of this region through our RED Grants.
"Strawberry Hill has an opportunity to become a major heritage tourism attraction for Albany, while the town hall project will help to unlock one of Albany's most striking and iconic buildings.
"Through the RED Grants, we are also supporting tourism growth in inland Great Southern towns, while further investing in the food tourism events that show off the fantastic fresh produce of the region.
"By investing in a variety of regional initiatives, the McGowan Government is helping to grow Western Australia's regional areas into thriving and sustainable communities."
As stated by Albany MLA Peter Watson:
"These grants will boost tourism to Albany, create local jobs and help our dementia carers to continue the valuable work they do for our community."
Great Southern RED grant recipients:
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Alzheimer's Australia WA Ltd | Dementia specialist respite cottage: Great Southern region | $200,000 |
| The National Trust of Australia (WA) | Improving visitor accessibility and amenity at Strawberry Hill, Albany | $191,964 |
| City of Albany | Albany Town Hall: Western Australia's Regional Smart Cultural Capital | $100,000 |
| Gondwana Link Ltd | Working with biodiversity and cultural values to stimulate inland economies and communities across the Great Southern | $84,212 |
| Albany Hospice Incorporated | Store and Studio - Recycle, Up-cycle and Design | $39,068 |
| Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup | Hidden Treasures of the GS: Tourism Enabling and Capacity Building | $37,382 |
| Shire of Katanning | Tourism Attraction and Development | $35,960 |
| ASC (Operations) Incorporated t/a Great Southern Tourism Events | Taste Great Southern 2019 | $25,000 |
| Sustain: The Australian Food Network Ltd | Food for Thought Festival | $10,000 |
