State Government funding enables new tourist development at Hyden to proceed

7/7/99
Funding assistance from the State Government has enabled a new tourist development at Hyden to proceed.
Regional Development Minister Hendy Cowan said that a $27,442 interest-free loan had been made available to the Hyden Tourist Development Company to help meet the cost of connecting electricity and water to new chalet accommodation and recreational facilities near the town.
At a cheque presentation in Hyden today, Mr Cowan said the money had been made available from the State Government's Regional Headworks Development Scheme with a 10-year repayment period.
The new accommodation complex, near Hyden airfield and in close proximity to the local tourist attraction Wave Rock, would provide another accommodation option for visitors to the area.
The managing director of the Hyden Tourist Development Company, Mr Russell Mouritz, said the project would have been unable to proceed without the benefit of the scheme.
He said the cost of almost $37,000 to connect electricity and water to the project would have been prohibitive.
Mr Cowan said that since the scheme was established in 1996, dozens of development projects throughout the State had been assisted.
"Many of these projects might not have got off the ground if this funding was not available," he said.
"The relatively high cost of headworks connection in regional areas can be an impediment to development, and that is why the Regional Headworks Development Scheme was established."
Administered by the Department of Commerce and Trade, the scheme provides loans or grants for up to 75 per cent of the cost of connecting to electricity, gas, water, drainage, sewerage and telecommunications.
Inquiries about the scheme can be directed to the Business Assistance Gateway on 9481 2525 or freecall from the country on 1800 199 251.
While in Hyden, Mr Cowan also presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Hyden Progress Association to enable it to update its business guide and to pursue business attraction strategies.
The grant was made under the Small Towns Economic Planning Program.
Media contact : Peter Jackson 9222 9595