The speed at which artificial intelligence, agentic systems and automation are transforming global industries is unprecedented. The South West region has an incredibly diverse industry base and all of these sectors are already facing growing pressure to adopt these technologies to remain productive, competitive and resilient.

Without a sovereign, regionally embedded capability that works directly with industry to provide applied research, technical expertise, workforce development and practical pathways to adoption, individual businesses are left to carry the cost, complexity and risk alone.

BGEA is leading a proposal to establish a single, industry-led hub that connects researchers, PhD candidates, start-ups, and established enterprise — anchored by a CSIRO presence.

The proposal has many benefits including:

  • A single point of access to applied expertise in data science, agentic AI, robotics, automation, and IoT integration, which would otherwise be out of reach for most regional businesses.
  • Embedded research capability, with PhD candidates working inside enterprises on real commercial challenges, accelerating both adoption and the development of commercial IP.
  • Strategic decentralisation of future-focused industries and jobs from Perth into the Bunbury Geographe Region, diversifying the South West economy and retaining talent locally.
  • Strong alignment with existing regional advantages — Bunbury Port, rail and road freight networks, energy infrastructure, the regional airport, and our established education and health sectors — which together make the region a natural home for Australia’s first industry-focused Digital and AI transformation district.

BGEA is finalising industry support for the proposal and will shortly be presenting the plan to State and Federal Governments, universities, CSIRO and other key stakeholders.