The Premier is likely to introduce a tenth member to the state's COVID-19 recovery committees after it was picked up in budget estimates that there were no aboriginal representatives.
The Regional Recovery Committees are being set up to provide feedback to government about what regional communities will need to recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, with mental health to be a key feature of their work.
The Committees were set up with nine members, including local, state and Commonwealth government representatives, business, community and social sector members, and also a young person aged 18 to 24,
When it was raised in the Legislative Council hearing that there were no aboriginal representatives, Mr Gutwein said the absence was "a very good pickup".
"I think I might fix that immediately," Mr Gutwein said.
The Committees received an additional $270,000 in the budget, which will provide members with funds to cover expenses, and also fund additional staffing.
Mr Gutwein said mental health should be a key focus of the regional recovery effort.
"The economy has bounced back far better than anybody ever expected that it would but one of the key concerns that I have got is in terms of the broader mental health of our community," he said.
"I know there are people, certainly in my electorate in the north east, older people especially, that still very much have limited engagement with their community. To say they are frightened would be an overarching statement, but not by far.
"As far as Recovery Committees are concerned, I want to be able to tap into and understand what is happening in our broader community as we bounce back."
He said he was concerned about what was happening in local government regions.
"In terms of how people are responding and feeling as we come out of this. I think it is an important piece of work that we need to understand. We will receive feedback and frame up initiatives based on that feedback moving forward."
Northern committee members include mayors Mary Knowles and Wayne Johnston, community members Tanya Greenwood and John Ralph, business' Michael Bailey and government's Craig Perkins and Catherine Murdoch.
Current members have already had one session about how to engage with the community, and will be seeking public feedback.
The aim is to recommend government recovery activities and enable community-led recovery activities.
