GABC Newsletter | 14 January 2026
Today’s Top Stories
Welcome to 2026 – Happy New Year from the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chambers
As we welcome 2026, the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chambers extends warm New Year greetings to our members, partners, and community.
The year ahead brings new opportunities to strengthen Aboriginal businesses, support economic self-determination, and grow strong, sustainable enterprises across the Goldfields. We are proud of the resilience, innovation, and leadership shown by our business community, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
In 2026, we remain committed to advocacy, connection, and capacity-building—creating pathways for Aboriginal businesses to thrive, collaborate, and lead across industries.
Thank you for your ongoing support and shared vision. We wish you a safe, prosperous, and successful year ahead.
Housing Innovation Fund boost for manufacturing
The Cook Government is prioritising a home for every Western Australian with the launch of its $50 million Housing Innovation Fund (HIF).
The HIF – a key part of the government’s Made in WA plan – offers a mix of grants and loans aimed at increasing the uptake of modern methods of construction, improving productivity and strengthening local manufacturing capability.
The first stage, launched today, is a competitive grant program, with grants of up to $5 million on offer to support WA businesses adopting prefabricated, modular, and automated building technologies.
By supporting large-scale, industry-shaping projects, the HIF aims to future-proof WA’s residential housing industry and improve housing supply and affordability throughout the State.
Applicants can apply for grants of up to $5 million, with a 50 per cent co-contribution required.
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-and-economic-diversification/housing-innovation-fund
Tourism forecasts for Australia 2025 to 2030
TRA produces the official tourism forecasts for Australia. This year, the report covers:
- international forecasts at the national level and for 20 source markets, 4 region groupings and 6 purposes of travel
- domestic forecasts at the national level and for each state and territory by purpose of travel.
The forecasts cover the current year and 5-year forward period from 2025 to 2030, on a calendar year basis. Forecast data are available to download from this page.
The report presents the forecast outlook. This includes insights regarding the drivers and implications of the projected path forward for the tourism sector and analysis of the forecast data.
For the first time the report also discusses alternate optimistic and pessimistic scenarios over the forecast period. These highlight the range of potential outcomes around the core or central case forecasts in an uncertain environment, including the key factors that could result in those higher or lower outcomes.
https://www.tra.gov.au/en/economic-analysis/tourism-forecasts#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=715d37bf-bce0-4361-9733-c60911760200
Save The Date!
MEEDAC are excited to announce the date for the 2026 MEEDAC Goldfields (Coolgardie) Community and Employment Expo
Member Spotlight
Are you looking for the latest information to help you run your business? We know small business means thinking big.
If you have any questions, or you are facing something outside of your expertise, remember you can turn to us for practical and confidential advice. Just call Small Business Development Corp on 133 140 to speak to one of our experienced business advisers or book an appointment online.
Small Business Development Corporation online courses
Increase your reach on Facebook and Instagram Tue, 20 Jan, 9am – 11am Cost: $20
Create Engaging Video Content: 20 Jan 2026, 9am – 12pm Cost: $20
Xero for Intermediate Users: 23 Jan 2026 9am – 11am. Cost $20
📢 Have Your Say – GABC Survey for Aboriginal Businesses
At GABC, your voice matters. We’re inviting all Aboriginal businesses, members and non‑members alike to complete our short, confidential survey.
Your feedback will help us shape services, 2026 Calendar (events and workshops), strengthen support, and deliver what matters most to you. Click forms.office.com to access the survey. Thank you.
Want to become a GABC Member?
The GABC membership group boasts a wide range of services across the mining, industrial, commercial and civil spaces, and with regular member additions, our list of capabilities continues to grow. Please e-mail enquiries@gab.org.au to receive the membership information and form.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber (GABC) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work, travel and live. We celebrate the diversity of all Aboriginal people and their ongoing culture and connection to country. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging and acknowledge those that are members of the chamber.
