Wheatbelt Development Commission
The Wheatbelt Development Commission is a WA State Government statutory authority that funds and coordinates economic development across the Wheatbelt region's 42 local government areas through grant programs, regional planning, and stakeholder engagement, operating from offices in Northam, Merredin, Moora, and Narrogin.
- Company typePublic
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNortham, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Wheatbelt Development Commission does
The Wheatbelt Development Commission is a statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia, established under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 and headquartered in Northam. It facilitates long-term economic development across the 154,862 km² Wheatbelt region — a territory spanning 42 Local Government Areas, 200+ towns, and approximately 75,000 residents that generates $8.9 billion in Gross Regional Product (2023). The Commission is answerable to the Minister for Regional Development and funded through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). It operates four staffed regional offices (Northam, Merredin, Moora, Narrogin) that deliver its portfolio of programs across the Avon, Central Coast, Central East, Central Midlands, and Wheatbelt South sub-regions.
Its core products are economic development programs rather than commercial goods: the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants Program ($60.85 million over 11 years, grants up to $150,000 per project); the Local Content Program connecting regional businesses to government procurement; the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program under the federal $5 billion Future Drought Fund; the Avon Industrial Park (473 hectares); the Northern Growth Corridor initiative; the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network (advising on $187.5 million in secured road upgrade funding); and emerging initiatives in housing and desalination. Customer segments include 42 Local Government Authorities, regional SMEs, Aboriginal organisations (notably Noongar Land Enterprise), and industry sectors ranging across agriculture, mining, tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing, and aged care. There is no commercial pricing model; the Commission is funded by appropriation and delivers grants subsidised by State and Commonwealth budgets.
Revenue is not commercially generated; the Commission functions as a facilitator, convener, and grant administrator. Its go-to-market is direct regional engagement and public grant rounds, supported by digital channels (website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, email newsletter) and earned media via wa.gov.au news releases. Growth is driven by ongoing State Government commitment to the RED Grants program (eight rounds completed), increasing Commonwealth co-funding for infrastructure (WSFN, Future Drought Fund), and expansion into adjacent policy areas such as housing, drought resilience, and renewable energy transition planning.
Wheatbelt Development Commission firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wheatbelt Development Commission
- Legal name
- Wheatbelt Development Commission
- Website
- https://wheatbelt.wa.gov.au
- Company type
- Public
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Wheatbelt Development Commission is a WA State Government statutory authority that funds and coordinates economic development across the Wheatbelt region's 42 local government areas through grant programs, regional planning, and stakeholder engagement, operating from offices in Northam, Merredin, Moora, and Narrogin.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wheatbelt Development Commission industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Economic Development
- NAICS
- Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120)
- SIC
- Services-Management Services (8741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration (BPAIAAAL)
Keywords
Where Wheatbelt Development Commission is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Northam
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices4 records
Markets served
Wheatbelt Development Commission business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding: The Wheatbelt Development Commission operates as a government statutory body funded by the Western Australian State Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The Commission facilitates economic development programs including the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | RED Grants - Individual projects up to $150,000 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Wheatbelt Development Commission product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Wheatbelt Development Commission is a statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia that administers the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program and other regional development initiatives. It coordinates regional planning, facilitates stakeholder engagement with local government authorities, businesses, Aboriginal organizations, and community groups, and manages regional infrastructure projects including the Avon Industrial Park to drive economic growth across the Wheatbelt.
Product overview
The Wheatbelt Development Commission is a government regional development agency that facilitates long-term economic growth and prosperity in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region. Rather than a unified product, the Commission delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs and services: the RED Grants Program provides funding for regional economic projects; the Local Content Program connects businesses to government procurement; the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program supports climate adaptation; and infrastructure initiatives like the Avon Industrial Park and Northern Growth Corridor development support industrial development. These programs work together to achieve the Commission's mission of making the Wheatbelt a preferred destination for living, working, and investing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants Grant funding program administered by the Commission to support economic development projects across the Wheatbelt region, available to local government authorities, businesses, industry groups, and community organizations.
- Local Content program Initiative designed to increase local content and participation in regional economic activity within the Wheatbelt.
- Regional Development Research Program (RDRP) Research program supporting regional development analysis and evidence base for the Wheatbelt.
- Avon Industrial Park Regional industrial park infrastructure project managed by the Commission to support industrial activity in the Wheatbelt.
Quantifiable outcome
- $60.85 million RED Grants invested over 11 years across regional WA
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Wheatbelt Development Commission
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wheatbelt Development Commission technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Wheatbelt Development Commission partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Wesfarmers and SQM (Chile) - Covalent Lithium MineminorJoint venture between Wesfarmers and SQM that commenced operations in Shire of Yilgarn in March 2024.
- Leadership WAminorPartnership to offer Wheatbelt Development Commission Aboriginal Leadership Scholarship for emerging Aboriginal leaders to participate in Leadership WA's Rising Leadership program.
- BlazeAidminorNational volunteer organisation that erected 280km of fencing across 39 fire-affected properties over 1,565 volunteer hours following the Shackleton and Narrogin East bushfires.
- Northern Growth Alliance (Shires of Chittering, Dandaragan, Gingin)coreCommission led the formation of the Northern Growth Alliance between three Shires to take an integrated planning approach to sustainable regional growth.
- Infinite Blue EnergyminorPurchased Northam Solar Farm for MEG HP1 project to produce renewable hydrogen for heavy transport sector.
- Noongar Land Enterprise (NLE)coreAustralia's first not-for-profit, Aboriginal-led grower group. Boola Boornap nursery received $100,000 RED Grant for irrigation upgrades. Approximately 70% of staff are Aboriginal.
- Alinta EnergyminorInvestment partner for $400 million Yandin Wind Farm project with partner Ratch Australia Corporation.
- Main Roads WAcorePartner in Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network steering committee since 2018. WDC supported with $100,000 in RED Grants funding for project management costs.
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)coreDPIRD provides support for the RED Grants program delivery. The Commission operates under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 and is responsible to the Minister for Regional Development, with DPIRD as the parent department.
- DevelopmentWAcoreDevelopmentWA retains responsibility for planning, infrastructure provision and land sales at the Avon Industrial Park. Collaboration on Northam Freight Hub Study and Stage 3 subdivision planning.
- WA Local Government AssociationcoreCollaborative partner in the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network initiative across 42 Local Government Authorities.
- Regional Development Australia WheatbeltminorPartner in Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network steering committee.
- Tourism WA / JTSIcoreCollaborating with JTSI and Tourism WA on destination management planning for Australia’s Golden Outback, Australia’s Coral Coast, and Destination Perth tourism regions.
- CBH GroupcorePurchased 100 hectares at Avon Industrial Park to build Meenaar grain receival site, supported by $6.5 million ASCI funding for rail spur.
- Procon DevelopmentsminorPrivate developer planning to construct AvonWest: an integrated logistics and enterprise hub at the Yilgarn Avenue road train assembly area.
- PoweringWAcoreActively collaborating with PoweringWA and Western Power to shape future planning and advocate for regional interests in the renewable energy sector.
- Western PowercoreCollaboration on renewable energy sector planning. Western Power building 330kV transmission line and terminal station for Yandin Wind Farm connection.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wheatbelt Development Commission competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- South West Development Commission: WA regional development commission serving the South West region under the same legislative framework, with overlapping focus on tourism, agriculture diversification, and Aboriginal economic participation.
- Great Southern Development Commission: Sister commission covering the Great Southern region of WA, established under the same Act with parallel economic development, grant administration, and stakeholder engagement functions. Directly comparable in structure and remit.
- Pilbara Development Commission: WA regional development commission with parallel statutory mandate in the Pilbara, focused heavily on resources sector economic development, Aboriginal engagement, and infrastructure - directly comparable in operational structure though distinct in economic base.
- Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission: WA regional development commission covering the Goldfields-Esperance region, sharing the same statutory mandate, funding model via DPIRD, and operational structure including regional offices and grant administration.
- Peel Development Commission: WA regional development commission covering the Peel region under the same Act, with comparable focus on growth corridor planning, population growth management, and economic diversification - parallels Wheatbelt's Northern Growth Corridor work.
- Gascoyne Development Commission: WA regional development commission serving the Gascoyne region under the same legislative framework, comparable in scope and structure despite smaller regional economic base.
- Kimberley Development Commission: WA regional development commission operating in the Kimberley region with the same statutory framework, comparable focus on remote area economic development, tourism, Aboriginal economic participation, and infrastructure delivery.
- Mid West Development Commission: Sibling statutory authority under the same Regional Development Commissions Act 1993, operating in the Mid West region of WA with identical mandate to drive regional economic development, administer grants, and engage with local governments. Most directly comparable peer.
Broad incumbents
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD): WA State Government department that is the Commission's parent agency, providing administrative support and funding. Comparable in policy oversight of regional development and primary industries, though much broader in remit.
- Regional Development Australia (RDA): National network of committees funded by the Australian Government to facilitate regional development across Australia. RDA Wheatbelt is an active partner of the Commission; comparable as a regional development facilitation body, though federally funded rather than state.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Wheatbelt Development Commission social profiles
Digital presenceWheatbelt Development Commission financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wheatbelt Development Commission leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Wheatbelt Development Commission funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wheatbelt Development Commission M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wheatbelt Development Commission
What does Wheatbelt Development Commission do?
The Wheatbelt Development Commission is a statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia that administers the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program and other regional development initiatives. It coordinates regional planning, facilitates stakeholder engagement with local government authorities, businesses, Aboriginal organizations, and community groups, and manages regional infrastructure projects including the Avon Industrial Park to drive economic growth across the Wheatbelt.
Is Wheatbelt Development Commission a public or private company?
Wheatbelt Development Commission is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Wheatbelt Development Commission founded?
Wheatbelt Development Commission was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wheatbelt Development Commission based?
Wheatbelt Development Commission is headquartered in Northam, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Wheatbelt Development Commission make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are Wheatbelt Development Commission's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are South West Development Commission, Great Southern Development Commission, Pilbara Development Commission, Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, Peel Development Commission, Gascoyne Development Commission, Kimberley Development Commission and Mid West Development Commission. Broad incumbents are Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Regional Development Australia (RDA).
Does Wheatbelt Development Commission have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wheatbelt Development Commission.
What industry is Wheatbelt Development Commission in?
Wheatbelt Development Commission's product category is Regional Economic Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAAAL, Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration. Its NAICS code is 925120 and its SIC code is 8741.