About WEROC

Our Region

The WEROC region covers an area of 43,136km² in the Eastern Wheatbelt, encompassing six Local Government areas. The estimated resident population of the WEROC region is 7,043 (ABS Census 2021). Merredin as the largest town within the WEROC region, acts as a regional hub for government, population services and commerce.

The WEROC area is a region of small businesses with 54% of registered businesses being non-employing and a further 43% employing less than 20 people. Agriculture is the largest industry by volume of registered businesses (47% of all registered businesses are classified as agricultural) and is also the principal industry of employment across the WEROC region. While agriculture is still an important employer within the Shire of Yilgarn, as a percentage of employed persons mining (gold and iron ore) is the largest industry of employment

The WEROC regions Gross Regional Product (GRP) is estimated at $1.896 billion (25% of the total GRP for the Wheatbelt).

At an estimated $1.201 billion, mining is the largest value-added contributor to the WEROC region’s economy. Mining in the WEROC region accounts for 78% of the mining value-add for the entire Wheatbelt region. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing is the second largest value-adding industry with a contribution of approximately $128 million.

An estimated resident population of 7,043 across the WEROC region

852 registered businesses as at June 2020

GRP is estimated at $1.89 billion (25% of the total GRP for the Wheatbelt region)

Median age is 43. 18.2% of the WEROC population is aged over 65.

Agriculture accounts for 47% of registered businesses across the WEROC region

Mining is the largest value-add industry at an estimated $1.2 billion

Our MEMBERS

The Board of WEROC Inc. consists of two representatives from each of the six Member Councils. Representatives are elected by their Councils for a term of two years.

Bruce Rock

Shire President, Cr. Ramesh (Ram) Rajagopalan
Chief Executive Officer

Kellerberrin

Deputy Shire President, Cr. Emily Ryan
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raymond Griffiths

Merredin

Cr. Lisa O’Neill (Chair of WEROC Inc.)
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Craig Watts

Tammin

Shire President, Cr. Charmaine Thomson
Chief Executive Officer

Westonia

Shire President, Cr. Mark Crees
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bill Price

Yilgarn

Shire President, Cr. Wayne Della Bosca
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nic Warren

Strategic Direction

Our Vision

For the Wheatbelt East to grow and prosper.

Our Mission

Working together to enhance the regions sustainability through investment and innovation.

Our Values

Commitment to our Region: We will ensure that in everything we do, we consider the best interests of the people that live and work in or visit the communities of the Eastern Wheatbelt.

Collaboration: We will work together as a united group to prioritise and address important issues impacting on our region, and to achieve outcomes that cannot be accomplished individually.

Regional Leadership: We will be a strong partner and voice representing our region.

Integrity: We will act with integrity, building lasting partnerships based on honesty and trust.

Accountability: We are committed to good governance and accountability in delivering outcomes for our region. We will ensure our stakeholders have genuine involvement in decision making and that we communication openly, accurately, and effectively with all those who are impacted by the decisions or actions that we take.

Innovation & Excellence: We value innovation and strive for continuous improvement in delivering positive outcomes for our region.

Our Priorities

The Board of WEROC Inc. have identified five strategic priorities which will guide the actions and activities of the organisation over the near term (one to three years). These were determined based on alignment to identified state, regional and local priorities, and the capacity for WEROC Inc. to influence and create change for the better.

1) Sustainability
2) Tourism Product Development
3) Strengthening our economy through local business development
4) Digital Connectivity
5) Inter-Council Cooperation