Who We Are
Our purpose is clear: we work for the benefit of the Gascoyne – not for ourselves, but for the communities, industries, and people who call this region home.
Our Role in the Region
Our role is to listen deeply, identify real opportunities, and act in ways that bring lasting economic and social value.
Our Vision
The Gascoyne’s communities and economy are rich, vibrant and diverse with great opportunity for people, businesses and industry to pursue their goals.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to connect communities, industry, and the environment to generate sustainable economic and social development outcomes. This occurs through our strong project delivery, enabling and advocacy roles, each of which are focused on leveraging the Gascoyne’s unique blend of environmental and cultural assets, social capital, small business, and primary production capabilities.
Our Values
The way we interact with our community and business stakeholders, our partners and our coworkers are underpinned by our value set.
Integrity: We always remember the needs of the government and community we serve. We are committed and focussed on delivering. We follow through.
Leadership: We provide leadership in our community. We listen to others, build relationships, and use our skills to create solutions.
Partnerships: We use our expertise to connect stakeholders in partnerships to achieve shared goals.
Innovation: We build and foster expertise. We work with our partners to find creative solutions. We work together to ‘find a way’.
Gascoyne Gross Regional Product
Businesses
Gascoyne Population
View Our Knowledge Hub
There is so much to uncover! Learn more about GDC and the Gascoyne’s key strategies, reports, publications and resources.
Meet the Team!
GDC dedicated employees work across two offices in the towns of Exmouth and Carnarvon. The CEO is responsible for leading and guiding the organisation towards achieving its strategic
goals as set by the Board for the Gascoyne region.
Enabling Legislation
GDC is a statutory authority of the Western Australian Government, set up in 1994, under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 which created nine Commissions, each serving a different region of Western Australia. The Commission is run by a board of management selected with membership categories of community, local government, and ministerial nominees.
Our Objectives
Proclamation of the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 on 7 April 1994 established the Gascoyne Development Commission as a statutory authority. The Commission had previously operated as a government department under the Public Service Act 1978 (Section 21) from its inception in January 1993. The objectives and functions of each Commission are to:
- Maximise job creation and improve career opportunities in the region.
- Develop and broaden the economic base of the region.
- Identify infrastructure services to promote business development within the region.
- Provide information and advice to promote business development within the region.
- Seek to ensure that the general standard of government services and access to those services in the region is comparable to that which applies in the metropolitan area.
- Generally take steps to encourage, promote,facilitate and monitor the economic development in the region.
We do this by
- Promoting the region
- Facilitating coordination between relevant statutory bodies and State government agencies
- Cooperating with industry and commerce, employer and employee organizations, education and training institutions and other sections of the community within the Gascoyne
- Identifying the opportunities for investment in the region and encouraging that investment
- Identifying the infrastructure needs of the region, and encourage the provision of that infrastructure in the region
- Cooperating with other parts of government: including local, state and federal governments, to promote equitable delivery of services within the Gascoyne.
Our Region
From breathtaking marine life, lush agricultural land to rugged outback experiences, the Gascoyne community is rich, vibrant and diverse with incredible opportunities.
Recent Projects
The Commission undertakes projects to coordinate and promote social and economic development in the Gascoyne, to maximise prosperity and well-being for the region, and for Western Australia.
Latest News
Stay connected to what’s happening in our region.
Connection starts here, with events in your area.
Upcoming events
Stay connected to what’s happening in our region.
How it works
There are some key steps you must follow before submitting your application.
The Minister for Regional Development will announce the opening of the grants.
Each applicant will need to make contact with the GDC Grant Officer to discuss the project they're seeking support for.
The applicant will be encouraged to complete the application form and follow the guidelines.
Make sure to submit your application by the set deadline.
While geographic isolation, limited infrastructure and resourcing challenges can restrict access to the arts, there is strong creative energy and community appetite to grow opportunities for participation, professional development, and cultural tourism.
Developed in partnership with the Shires of Carnarvon, Exmouth, Shark Bay and Upper Gascoyne, and supported by the State Government and the Gascoyne Development Commission (GDC), the Plan represents a region-wide commitment to build a more visible, connected and sustainable arts and culture sector.
Spanning more than 135,000 square kilometres, the Gascoyne region is defined by its iconic landscapes, deep Aboriginal cultural knowledge, and vibrant communities.
Strategic Initiatives
Shaped through extensive consultation with over 300 community members, artists, organisations and local governments, the Plan sets out shared regional ambitions supported by three interconnected strategic pillars — Identity, Capacity and Investment, and Experience.
The Gascoyne Regional Arts Plan is currently being finalised with the final Plan due to be released in the first quarter of 2026.
Identity focuses on amplifying the Gascoyne’s creative voice, celebrating local stories, and embedding arts and culture in destination branding.
Capacity and Investment seeks to strengthen creative infrastructure, build professional pathways, and improve access to funding and partnerships.
Experience emphasises growing participation, events and year-round programming that engage residents and attract visitors.
The Timeline
Round 8 RED Grant Program opened in 2025.
Grants opened
sadasd
Grants closed
Grants assessed
Applicants determined
Funding awarded
Meet the Team!
The Gascoyne Development Commission team is here for you!
View Our Knowledge Hub
Want to know more about the Gascoyne? Check out our Knowledge Hub for report, studies and statistics for our region.
Eligibility Criteria
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for RED Grant funding an applicant must:
- be a legal entity capable of entering into a legally binding and enforceable financial assistance
agreement (Grant Agreement) with the Western Australian State Government; - have an Australian Business Number (ABN);
have an account with an authorised deposit-taking institution (an Australian financial institution - or bank) registered with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
Who is not Eligible?
You are not eligible to apply if you are a:
- State or Federal Government Agency;
Government Trading Enterprise (GTE); - School;
- Hospital; or
- A Trustee that is not empowered through the Trust Deed to enter into an agreement with
the State Government to receive funding.
What is not Eligible?
Items or activities that are not eligible for funding include:
- Retrospective payments or expenditure incurred prior to execution of a RED Grants funding
agreement. - Ongoing costs incurred after the initiative is completed (e.g. operating and maintenance costs).
- Existing staff salaries for core business activities.
- Operational overheads (such as rent, insurance, telephone etc.).
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The WA Regional Development Framework is aligned to the WA State Government priorities:
Diversifying the WA economy so that it remains the strongest in the nation.
Ensuring all Western Australian can access the healthcare we need, when we need it.
Ensuring every Western Australian has a home.
Diversifying the WA economy so that it remains the strongest in the nation.
Protecting and restoring our environment.
Delivering quality infrastructure and services across the State.
Open to opportunities!
The Shires of the Gascoyne
Click through the explore each Shire
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Key Industries
Have a look at the key sectors and industries of the Gascoyne
Stories of Local Impact
Exmouth Early Learning Centre: Stage 2 Development
The Exmouth Early Learning Centre will open a new childcare and outside school hours care (OSHC) centre in January 2025, replacing the existing childcare centre in Exmouth that will cease operations in December 2024. The project will allow for the construction and fit out of 2 additional rooms, one specifically dedicated to OSHC, increasing the centre’s capacity by a further 17 children.
Containers for Change Infrastructure Upgrade: Custom-Made Trailer
ABC Foundation purchased a specialised trailer to transport intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and wheelie bins to and from sites, venues and events across the Gascoyne. Creating one new job, the trailer added further value to ABC Foundation’s can counting machine, which now operates at increased capacity.
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View Our Knowledge Hub
There is so much to uncover! Learn more about GDC and the Gascoyne’s key strategies, reports, publications and resources.
Relevant Resources
Want to know more? Explore more here:
ACC and AGO Gascoyne Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-2033
Shire of Carnarvon Economic Development Strategy 2023-2028
Project Officer
Want to know more? Get in touch with our Project Officer responsible for this portfolio.
Courtney Whitehead
- Regional Development Officer
- 0467 905 262
- courtney.whitehead@gdc.wa.gov.au
Developed in partnership with the Shires of Carnarvon, Exmouth, Shark Bay and Upper Gascoyne, and supported by the State Government and the Gascoyne Development Commission (GDC), the Plan represents a region-wide commitment to build a more visible, connected and sustainable arts and culture sector.
Spanning more than 135,000 square kilometres, the Gascoyne region is defined by its iconic landscapes, deep Aboriginal cultural knowledge, and vibrant communities.
While geographic isolation, limited infrastructure and resourcing challenges can restrict access to the arts, there is strong creative energy and community appetite to grow opportunities for participation, professional development, and cultural tourism.