The Cook Government has launched the first dedicated Western Australian Distilling Industry Strategy, a five-year roadmap designed to accelerate the growth of the state’s burgeoning craft spirits sector. For agritourism operators, this strategy represents a significant government endorsement of a key value-adding and farm diversification pathway, with a clear focus on boosting brand recognition, developing the industry, and expanding market access.
The strategy, developed in consultation with the Australian Distillers Association and the WA Distillers Guild, aims to triple the sector’s sales over the next five years. With approximately 90 distillery businesses in WA, nearly half of which are based in regional areas, the initiative directly supports the economic diversification of agricultural communities.
A Strategy Built on Regional Strengths
A central theme of the new strategy is its focus on provenance and the use of local agricultural products. The government statement highlights that over 90 per cent of WA distillers report using local ingredients, including the state’s unique native botanicals, to create their premium spirits. This aligns perfectly with the core value proposition of agritourism, where the story of the product is intrinsically linked to the land and the agricultural process.
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis framed the strategy as a cornerstone of the state’s economic future.
“Western Australia’s distilling industry embodies the innovation, quality, and entrepreneurial spirit that define our State’s economic future,” she said.
“This strategy reinforces the Cook Government’s commitment to support initiatives that drive economic diversification and value-added manufacturing.”
Four Pillars for Growth
The strategy is structured around four key priority areas, each presenting clear opportunities for current and prospective distillers within the WAAA membership:
- Advocacy and Policy: A commitment to advocate for supportive policies, which could address regulatory hurdles related to licensing, land use, and production on agricultural properties.
- Industry Development: A focus on advancing the industry, suggesting potential support for skills training, infrastructure, and innovation in production methods.
- Promotion: A dedicated effort to promote WA spirits on both national and international stages, which will help build the “food and wine tourism” appeal of regions where operators are located.
- Market Access: A plan to improve access to domestic and export markets, which is critical for operators looking to scale their value-adding enterprises beyond the farm gate.
Actionable Next Steps for Operators
With the strategy now launched, a working group will be formed to develop a detailed implementation plan. This is a critical juncture for agritourism operators involved in distilling. It presents an opportunity to engage with the process and ensure that the practical challenges and opportunities of on-farm distilling are addressed in the final implementation.
The President of the Western Australian Distillers Guild, James Young, described the strategy as a “landmark moment.”
“This strategy is a landmark moment for WA’s distilling industry – crafted by industry, for industry,” he stated. For WAAA members, it signals a supportive environment for investing in or expanding distilling operations as a core part of their diversified business model. The full strategy document is available on the DPIRD website.
