About WEROC

Our Region

The WEROC region covers an area of 46,947 km² in the Central and Eastern Wheatbelt, encompassing eight local government areas. The estimated resident population of the WEROC region is 9,306 (ABS Census 2021). As the largest town in the WEROC region, Merredin acts as a regional hub for government services, population services and commerce.

The WEROC region has a high proportion of small businesses, with 56.3% of registered businesses being non-employing and a further 31.7% employing between 1 and 4 people. Agriculture is the largest industry by number of registered businesses.

Mining is the principal industry of employment in the WEROC region, employing 22.28% of the workforce, followed closely by agriculture (21.95%).

The WEROC region’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) is estimated at $2.401 billion, representing 30% of the total GRP for the Wheatbelt.

At an estimated $2.373 billion, the mining sector is the largest value-added contributor to the Wheatbelt region’s economy. With a contribution of approximately $1.646 billion, the WEROC region accounts for 69.37% of the total value added by mining in the Wheatbelt.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing is the second-largest value-added contributor to the Wheatbelt economy, with an estimated value of $1.402 billion. In the WEROC region, agriculture is also the second-largest value-added contributor, at an estimated $173 million, accounting for 12.33% of the value added by agriculture in the Wheatbelt region.

An estimated resident population of 9,306 across the WEROC region

1,207 registered businesses as of June 2025

GRP is estimated at $2.401 billion (30% of the total GRP for the Wheatbelt region)

The median age is 46

Agriculture accounts for 45% of registered businesses across the WEROC region

Mining is the largest value-add industry at an estimated $1.646 billion

Our MEMBERS

The Board of WEROC Inc. consists of two representatives from each of the eight 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

Councillor, Cr. Lisa O’Neill
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Craig Watts

Quairading

Deputy Shire President, Cr. Jo Hayes
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nic Warren

Tammin

Shire President, Cr. Charmaine Thomson (Chair of WEROC Inc.)
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Andrew Malone

Westonia

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

Yilgarn

Shire President, Cr. Bryan Close
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ben Forbes

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).

1) Housing: Addressing the critical housing shortage by increasing both the supply and diversity of housing options across the region.
2) Tourism: Growing visitation to WEROC communities through continued promotion of the Eastern Wheatbelt Self-Drive Trail.
3) Water: Securing a sustainable water supply for WEROC communities by improving water capture, storage and reuse.
4) Waste management: Working towards consolidated, cost-effective regional waste infrastructure, and lifting recycling rates through better use of facilities and community education.
5) Roads: Advocating for safe, well-maintained roads and efficient freight links, including investment in the Great Eastern Highway and fair, sustainable funding for the local road networks.