Government invests in SW jobs, infrastructure and people

6/12/06 A research project to help prevent the closure of the Blackwood River mouth will be funded by the Carpenter Government as part of a $500,000 South-West grants package announced by South-West Minister Mark McGowan today.

6/12/06
A research project to help prevent the closure of the Blackwood River mouth will be funded by the Carpenter Government as part of a $500,000 South-West grants package announced by South-West Minister Mark McGowan today.
Mr McGowan said the Government would provide $25,000 to the Blackwood Basin Group to undertake the project over the coming year, which would look at options to reduce the risk of the closure of the Hardy Inlet.
"Current indications are that the river mouth will close off in summer, resulting in flooding of the Turner Caravan Park and some riverside residential areas," he said.
"This funding will help the Blackwood Basin Group employ a consultant to look at what the impact would be and what the options are to prevent it happening.
"The project will also involve extensive community consultation and result in the preparation of a report for consideration by local authorities.
"It is hoped that a solution can be found to this issue that is environmentally, socially and economically acceptable."
The Minister said the project was one of 18 to be funded through the Carpenter Government's 2006-07 Regional Development Scheme grants program run through the South West Development Commission.
The grants were aimed at attracting investment and increasing jobs in the regions.
"There were 39 applications seeking a total of $1.34million," Mr McGowan said.
The largest single allocation of $67,500 went to the Shire of Capel for a Capel streetscape enhancement project.
Other project recipients were:

  • Shire of Nannup, $57,000, toward construction of a facility to house the Nannup Telecentre, Visitor Centre and Historical Society.
  • Shire of Manjimup, $54,787, revitalisation of the main street at Pemberton.
  • Yarloop Workshops, $51,000, to develop signage, construction of interpretative displays and refurbish d?cor at the Yarloop Workshops.
  • Shire of Boyup Brook, $39,500, for bundling of cables on Abel Street, to Barron Street, to improve aesthetics of the township.
  • The Clontarf Foundation, $30,000, to establish the South West Football Academy.
  • Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup $30,000, to upgrade the Balingup Oval.
  • Shire of Harvey, $30,000, to develop plans to create the 'Mooseum' project at Brunswick Junction.
  • Aquatic Resource Management, $20,000, to export marron into seasonal markets in Scandinavia.
  • Stirling Street Arts Centre Bunbury, $20,000, toward construction of an outdoor undercover facility.
  • Dardanup Equestrian Centre, $18,900, to expand the Dardanup equestrian centre.
  • Margaret River Community Kindergarten, $10,700, to extend the kindergarten by adding another multi-purpose room, creating new library space and an improved administration area.
  • Unit Committee of Training Ship Bunbury Australian Navel Cadets Inc, $10,000, to help build new headquarters for the naval cadets.
  • Wallcliffe Bush Fire Brigade, $9,000, to construct an emergency water supply in the wilderness special area of Margaret River for fire fighting purposes. This involved building a 90,000 litre concrete water tank at the corner of Terry Drive and Wilderness Road in the Wilderness estate east of Prevelly / Gnarabup.
  • Busselton Community Garden, $7,313, toward construction of a community garden at the corner of Roe Terrace and Strelley Street Busselton.
  • Harvest Highway, $7,000, to stage 'open farm' days for visitors from outside the region to visit working farms.
  • Capel Equestrian Centre, $5,000, to upgrade their kitchen.
Mr McGowan said he looked forward to seeing many positive outcomes as a result of the funding, including the creation of extra jobs for the South-West and improvements to a number of facilities in the region.
Minister's office - 9222 9111