More than 320 projects throughout regional Western Australia will receive funding from the first round of the Royalties for Regions' Regional Grants Scheme.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced the successful applicants for the grants in Albany today.
The grants for the first round total nearly $32.4million and spread across a diverse range of services and infrastructure projects. They range from small building improvements to major facility upgrades; from support for community events to the expansion of unique environmental and tourism attractions.
"The grants scheme is a key Royalties for Regions initiative that puts the emphasis on local decision making," Mr Grylls said.
"The grants are for projects that help attract investment and increase jobs or improve the quality of life in regional WA.
"This first round attracted 846 applications for projects with a total value of more than $182million.
"It has been amazing to see the diversity of the projects people have put forward and particularly encouraging to see the ideas and opportunities they've identified in their proposals."
WA's nine Regional Development Commissions were administering the Regional Grants Scheme and had assessed the applications.
"Every one of the regional development commissions has had an incredibly tough job determining this first allocation of money," the Minister said.
"There is clearly a huge demand in our regional communities and the commissions are well-positioned to identify which projects should go ahead and the benefits that stem from them."
Mr Grylls said some of the approval projects would be funded in the first round with further allocations planned over the next two years.
"I am delighted that one of these projects is the construction of the Nannup to Albany section of the Munda Biddi Trail which will receive a total of $3million over three years," he said.
"This is a world-class cycle touring trail that starts in Mundaring and currently goes through to Nannup.
"It's an amazing challenging and scenic trail for bike riders, taking them through some of the most stunning natural bushland and scenery in the southern part of our State.
"It's a great project that will create jobs during the construction phase and open up new tourism, health and lifestyle opportunities.
"Both the Great Southern and South West regional development commissions are supporting the project and will provide $500,000 each this year."
The Minister said other projects across the State included allocations for volunteer groups; indigenous and heritage programs; arts organisations; business and economic initiatives; and youth, health and emergency services.
Other projects being funded by the Great Southern Regional Development Commission include $380,000 for the third stage of the Albany Biodiversity Park and $500,000 for The University of Western Australia's Albany Science Building.
Further grants in the South-West region include $147,198 to the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation for research into the detection of Familial Hypercolesterolaemia, an inherited form of raised cholesterol and $251,585 for the Ngalan Boodja Employment through Enterprise Project in Collie.
In the Kimberley, some of the major allocations include $130,000 to the East Kimberley Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue Association; $50,000 to Leaping Joey Pty Ltd for the 'Men's Shed' project in Fitzroy Crossing, to improve social outcomes for local men and their community; and $100,000 to the Broome Historical Society for the former sail makers shed.
In the Mid-West, major grants include $399,488 for an early childhood development initiative aimed at breaking the cycle of disadvantage in Mount Magnet; $250,000 towards a new ambulance sub-centre at Kalbarri; and $170,000 for developing and building an innovative flat-pack house that is cost effective, quick to erect and has a low impact on the environment.
The Gascoyne allocations include $250,000 for the Carnarvon Shire to investigate a new site for an airport; $500,000 towards remedial work and enhancement of the Fascine Wall along the waterfront; and $240,000 for facilities at Coral Bay to house volunteer emergency services and an education meeting facility.
In the Goldfields-Esperance, grants include $246,000 to bridge the funding gap for a CT Scanner for the Esperance District Hospital; $32,000 for a Marlu Kuru Kuru Women's art project in Laverton; and $200,000 towards the Esperance Senior High School's Esperance Regional Trade Training Centre and Beyond.
The Peel grants include $600,000 in this round of grants towards the Fairbridge redevelopment; $450,000 for the redevelopment of Rushton Park; and $250,000 to construct the Midway Community Care centre for people with disabilities.
In the Pilbara, the allocations include $145,000 for the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation's Biodiesel manufacturing project which aims to become a self-supporting, indigenous-owned and operated business producing bio-fuel for the Pilbara region and $300,000 towards constructing the Karratha Early Learning Centre.
Major projects receiving funding in the Wheatbelt include $750,000 towards the Jurien Bay Foreshore and Jetty Redevelopment; $200,000 towards the Merredin Trade Training Centre to help increase the community's training capacity; and $122,500 to the Better Connections Project through Volunteering WA.
A full list of the projects is available on the Royalties for regions website: http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/RegionDev/RforR/Default.asp
Minister's office - 9213 7000
