The Shire of Nannup has been recognised at a State level for its leadership in economic transition and place‑based development, with the Aspiring Trail Town initiative featured in the Local Government Economic Development Case Study 2026, released by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).
As part of this recognition, Chief Executive Officer David Taylor and Economic and Community Development Coordinator Nicole Botica were invited to Perth to present the Nannup case study at the launch on Monday 11 May, marking a significant achievement for the Shire and highlighted the strength of Nannup’s strategic approach to economic diversification and small business support.
Located in the heart of Western Australia’s South West, Nannup is a place defined by its ancient forests, winding rivers and a deep connection to environment and community. Timber shaped the town’s economy and identity for more than a century, and the closure of the Nannup timber mill in early 2024 had significant economic and emotional impacts for local families and businesses. While this change was deeply felt, the Shire of Nannup had already begun planning for a more diversified and sustainable future.
That transition commenced in 2019, when the Shire adopted a clear, long‑term strategy to connect and strengthen Nannup’s extensive walking and cycling trail network. This approach focused on coordinated branding and wayfinding, improved visitor servicing, business‑friendly infrastructure and alignment with the Trail Town Accreditation Framework, positioning Nannup as a progressive and investment‑ready community.
Through this strategy, the Shire leveraged an initial $118,000 municipal investment into more than $5.29 million in Federal, State and community funding. This has delivered high‑quality trail infrastructure including the Tank 7 MTB Park, opened in March 2022, Ngoolark Jump Park, trail connections, signage, mapping and digital visitor tools. Complementary investment has enhanced liveability and visitor experiences through projects such as upgrades at Marinko Tomas Park, the Emu Nature Playground, skatepark shelter, flying fox and the Living with Emu project.
Strong engagement with Traditional Custodians has been central to the program, incorporating Wardandi language, cultural storytelling and Welcome to Country events, alongside growing participation from local businesses and increasing private investment interest.
As a result, Nannup’s trail‑based strategy is attracting growing visitation and has positioned the town on the national and international cycling map, hosting events such as the Cape to Cape MTB Race, SEVEN Gravel Race, WA Gravity Enduro and the upcoming UCI Gravel World Championships 2026. The WALGA case study reflects the Shire’s commitment to place‑led economic development, strong partnerships and deliberate investment in systems and capability to support long‑term community resilience.
While work continues toward full Trail Town accreditation, the Shire is confident its efforts have laid strong foundations for a resilient, values‑led local economy that reflects Nannup’s identity, environment and community aspirations.