Welcome

The current and future plans of our region are embedded within the Warren Blackwood Sub-Regional Growth Plan. This is one of the most important documents we hold as a region as it provides a strategic overview of sub-regional economic and social priorities.

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​Click here to view the Warren Blackwood Sub-Regional Growth Plan

The WBAC has recommended that relevant member local governments sign onto both the Waterwise Councils Program and the Cities Power Partnership, while also encouraging them to consider applying for energy audit funding to further support regional sustainability initiatives. In alignment with these goals, the short-term priorities list for the Climate Alliance is being updated in collaboration with the Climate Alliance Reference Group, ensuring that WBAC's focus remains current and actionable.

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Partnerships with key organisations such as RDA and Southern Forest Community Landcare have been strengthened to support the development of future sustainability projects across the region. The Climate Alliance is in the process of gathering data for a comprehensive climate survey with assistance from the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. The survey is expected to provide valuable insights into community perspectives on climate issues, helping to identify priorities and guide targeted actions.

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The WBAC is also exploring the development of an engagement process for the Climate Change Action Plan, which will include community consultation and outreach initiatives. In addition, the creation of a Sub-Regional Climate Change Communication and Engagement Plan is being considered to further enhance collaboration and awareness throughout the region.

Both the Cities Power Partnership and Waterwise Councils Program continue to progress, with efforts underway to involve more local governments. The WBAC is also focusing on securing joint grants such as Waste Sorted and Keep Australia Beautiful, which will provide crucial funding to advance the region’s sustainability objectives.

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​Click to read the Climate Alliance Action Plan

The Southern Forests & Valleys tourism project continues to make significant progress across various projects and initiatives. Coordination for the 2025 Heritage Festival is underway, with grant applications in progress to support its success. Additionally, work is ongoing to integrate individual Visitor Centre websites into the main Southern Forests & Valleys site, ensuring a seamless visitor experience.

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A regional tourism signage strategy has been developed by the WBAC to enhance wayfinding and visitor experience across the Southern Forests & Valleys. We are now exploring funding opportunities to implement this strategy and bring the project to life.

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WBAC representatives recently presented at the Pemberton Chamber of Commerce networking event and attended the State of Socials Conference virtually, broadening our engagement within the tourism industry. Key meetings with Tourism WA and participation in the ASW rebrand launch continue to strengthen the region's tourism presence. We are also maintaining an active and visible presence on social media, with the integration of the Hoo.be tool on Instagram, enhancing engagement and simplifying content sharing across our platforms. 

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Save the Date: 2026 Southern Forests & Valleys Tourism Conference

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Southern Forests & Valleys Tourism Conference, which will be held on Tuesday, 10th November 2026 at the Pemberton Sports Centre.

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As of August 2024, the Southern Forests & Valleys website celebrated its first year online, attracting an impressive 788,340 visits. The most popular sections include Events, Accommodation, Things to Do, Trails, and Local Produce. In August alone, the Bridgetown town page garnered 9,542 visits, with Nannup following closely behind at 8,254 visits. 

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The website's growth continues, with ongoing efforts focused on SEO improvements and enriching content through engaging blog posts. Recent topics cover shopping in Bridgetown, family activities for spring/summer, exploring waterfalls, dog-friendly activities, and a weekend itinerary for Pemberton. Alongside these updates, new event listings, operator profile additions, and regular content updates keep the site fresh and informative. The operator toolkit is also continuously updated, providing local tourism operators with valuable promotional tools and resources to enhance their visibility.

We are excited to announce that the inagural Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival will take place from Saturday, 19th April to Sunday, 4th May 2025.

This two- week event will showcase the rich cultural, natural, and historical heritage of our region, spanning the towns of Balingup, Walpole, Nannup, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Pemberton, Greenbushes, Manjimup, Northcliffe, and Donnybrook. With a diverse program of workshops, performances, exhibitions, tours, and family-friendly activities, there will be something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

The Warren Blackwood Stock Route (WBSR) is a 345km bridle trail based on the historic stock droving routes of the original farming families of the South West. The WBSR stretches from the coast at Nannup to Broke Inlet near Walpole and connects a number of towns and camping destinations including Bridgetown, Manjimup, Quinninup, Shannon and Willow Springs. The WBSR is designed to be completed in smaller or larger sections. 

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The trail meanders through some of the most picturesque countryside the Southern Forests and Valleys region has to offer. Through Karri and Jarrah forests to farmland and the coast, the trail provides an opportunity for trail enthusiasts to experience the historic footsteps of the pioneer farming families that moved cattle to the coastal South West. 

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The bridle trail includes eight equine friendly campsites dotted along the route at intervals of between 26km and 36 km, and sections of self-reliant trail to explore toward the coast. The fully equipped campsites at Brockman, Dunnett, Davies, Wheatly, Mottram, Muir, Egerton- Warburton and Shannon provide access to sleeping shelters, toilets, water and horse yards. There are also 3 self-reliant sites along the trail at Kookaburra stop-over, Steve’s Road stopover and Broke Inlet that provide a place to stop whilst providing for your own needs.

WBAC has been invited to present at the upcoming forum.

WBAC Chair, Cr Donelle Buegge, and Executive Officer, Katie McDonnell, will showcase WBAC’s key initiatives, highlight significant projects from member local governments, and discuss the region’s collective strategic direction for future growth and collaboration