About WEROC

Our Region

The WEROC region covers an area of 45,008km² in the Central and Eastern Wheatbelt, encompassing seven Local Government areas. The estimated resident population of the WEROC region is 8,345 (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 54.7% of registered businesses being non-employing and a further 33.3% employing between 1 and 4 people. Agriculture (grain growing or mixed crop and livestock farming) is the largest industry by volume of registered businesses and is also the principal industry of employment in the WEROC region.

The WEROC regions Gross Regional Product (GRP) is estimated at $2.459 billion (27% of the total GRP for the Wheatbelt).

At an estimated $1.577 billion, mining is the largest value-added contributor to the WEROC region’s economy. Mining in the WEROC region accounts for 71% 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 $268 million.

An estimated resident population of 8,345 across the WEROC region

1,029 registered businesses as of June 2024

GRP is estimated at $2.459 billion (27% of the total GRP for the Wheatbelt region)

The median age is 45

Agriculture accounts for 44% of registered businesses across the WEROC region

Mining is the largest value-add industry at an estimated $1.577 billion

Our MEMBERS

The Board of WEROC Inc. consists of two representatives from each of the seven 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, Mr. Mark Furr

Cunderdin

Shire President, Cr. Alison Harris
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stuart Hobley

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, Mr. Andrew Malone

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