Wheatbelt projects boosted by State Government grants

12/04/02 A range of Wheatbelt economic and social projects have been boosted by $400,000 worth of grants allocated under the Regional Development Scheme.

12/04/02
A range of Wheatbelt economic and social projects have been boosted by $400,000 worth of grants allocated under the Regional Development Scheme.
Each of the State's nine Development Commissions had $400,000 to allocate under the Regional Development Scheme, which can give up to $150,000 to festivals, events or projects in the region for use in capital works, marketing programs or feasibility studies.

The money is the first part of the Gallop Government's promised $75million Regional Investment Fund, established to help boost economic and social development and improve access to services in regional areas.
Wheatbelt Minister Kim Chance said the allocation of grants in this region had a wide focus, with sustainable development projects being among the bigger winners.
"We are confident that the funds have been allocated in such a way that maximum benefit will be returned to the region," Mr Chance said.
"There is also a strong emphasis running through many of the successful projects on creating new employment opportunities for young people in the region."
Some of the successful projects to be funded in the Wheatbelt Regional Development Scheme's first round include:

  • 'Prime Season' Bringing the World to WA Agriculture campaign: $40,000 to assist the showcasing of the agricultural industry;
  • The Regional Branding Group: $40,000 to initiate a comprehensive marketing strategy and undertake a process to develop a brand for our region;
  • North Eastern Wheatbelt Regional Organisation of Councils (NEWROC): $20,000 to study options for industry development and economic sustainability;
  • Brookton District High School's Glenroy Farm Enterprise Program: $12,000 to make use of 150 acres of Glenroy Farm for an ongoing rotational cropping program and a further 50 acres for a prime lamb production program;
  • Shire of Victoria Plains Tourism Development: $14,554 for the employment of a suitable consultant to prepare an audit of current and future attractions for the development of tourism;
  • Shire of Lake Grace Recreation and Visitor Precinct: $20,000 to develop a recreation precinct with appropriate information services and facilities for residents and visitors; and
  • Wheatbelt Regional Marketing Awareness Training: $10,000 to hold marketing seminars at tertiary institutions to inform students completing their last year of study of employment opportunities in the Wheatbelt region.
Mr Chance thanked members of the WDC board for their thorough and considered work in processing the large number of applications, the range of which indicated the scope of innovative projects occurring in the region.
"We look forward to considering further development proposals of this kind during the next round of grants."
A full list of the approved grants follows.
Minister's office: 9213 6700
  • Shire of Merredin 'Feasibility Study of the use of Desalinated and other waste water in Merredin Eco Town' for the sum of $11,227.
  • Shire of Victoria Plains 'Shared Resource Centre' Shire of Victoria Plains for the sum of $10,000.
  • 'Roe Tourism Association Signage Program' from Roe Tourism Association for the sum of $3,995.
  • 'Professional Development Training Centre' Pinnacles Beach Backpackers - Cervantes Lodge for the sum of $20,000.
  • Dowerin Events Management and Royal Agricultural society of WA - Prime Season - Bringing the World to WA Agriculture for the sum of $40,000.
  • The Regional Branding Group - Marketing our Region, Its products and Services, for the sum of $40,000.
  • Swan Olive Association - Muresk Olive Weekend, for the sum of $2,000.
  • 'Glenroy Farm Enterprise' Brookton District High School, for the sum of $12,000.
  • Shire of Victoria Plains 'Tourism Development' for the sum of $14,545.
  • Shire of Dowerin 'Dowerin Industrial Park' for the sum of $13,700.
  • Shire of Wickepin 'Noodle processing facility' for the sum of $15,000.
  • Shire of Lake Grace 'Recreation and Visitor Precinct' for the sum of $20,000.
  • Shire of Merredin 'Regional Tourism Strategy' for the sum of $15,000.
  • John Glenn Tracking Station Interpretive Centre for the sum of $20,000.
  • 'Groundwater Pumping Project' Newdegate Land Conservation District for the sum of $15,000.
  • Wheatbelt Crew 'Regional Marketing Awareness Training for Professionals' for the sum of $10,000.
  • Dryandra Woodland Focus Group 'Greater Dryandra and Central South Tourism - State of the Industry' for the sum of $7,727.
  • 'Feasibility of Producing Lucerne Pellets' in the Shire of Victoria Plains for the sum of $10,000.
  • Moore River Olive Association 'Regional Olive Processing Facility Engineering and Economic Study' for the sum of $25,000.
  • 'Central South Action Plan' Wheatbelt Development Commission for the sum of $18,000.
  • 'Ngalla Maya Aboriginal Cultural Centre' Mulark Aboriginal Corporation for the sum of $10,000.
  • NEWROC 'Economic Sustainability - Way Forward' for the sum of $18,182.
  • 'Lake King Library/Resource Centre' Lake King Progress Association for the sum of $20,000.
  • 'Natural Resource Management Marketing and Communication Strategy' for the Northern Agricultural region, for the sum of $25,050.

++++++++++