Premier Mark McGowan visited the Wheatbelt towns of Bindoon, Gingin and New Norcia today to inspect a number of community facilities receiving important State Government upgrades and funding assistance.
Earlier this year, the McGowan Government committed $300,000 to support Gingin's Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory to expand its work providing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational opportunities for Western Australian students.
The Premier joined a number of school students today to see firsthand how the centre provides inspiring, interactive educational opportunities for young Western Australians.
The centre is receiving $100,000 per annum over the next three years to expand its education and school holiday programs, better promote the facility, and develop materials and displays linking STEM education to training and jobs.
Located 70 kilometres from Perth, the centre is a not-for-profit interactive science education, astronomy, Aboriginal culture and tourist centre.
It includes a public observatory, cosmology dome, heritage and biodiversity works, and the 45-metre-high 'Leaning Tower of Gingin'.
Gingin's Granville Park is also receiving a $50,000 contribution to assist with upgrades to its weir and build new amenities, including a new gazebo for weddings and other events.
This contribution will assist the Shire of Gingin and local community group Progress Gingin with planned improvements to Granville Park.
The McGowan Government is committing a further $40,000 to improve the Bindoon Hall and support the activities of the Bindoon Entertainment Arts & Theatre, which manages the facility.
This funding will provide a contribution towards improving lighting and sound quality at the hall.
Bindoon Entertainment Arts & Theatre runs various local arts events throughout the year, including monthly 'open mic' nights.
This contribution will assist the facility to install these upgrades, improving its capacity to deliver events and supporting the local arts community.
For both the Granville Park and Bindoon Hall commitments, the State Government will continue to work with local government and community groups to finalise the scope and delivery of the projects.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The Wheatbelt is a wonderful and unique part of Western Australia - and these community projects will provide important local improvements to make these towns even better places to live, work and visit.
"The Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory is a brilliant asset for promoting the benefits of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to young Western Australians - providing interactive, inspiring opportunities to learn about astronomy and related disciplines.
"Our funding commitment will boost the centre's capacity to provide education and school holiday programs, delivering benefits for young Western Australians in the Wheatbelt and beyond.
"Granville Park is a key focal point for the Gingin community. Our contribution will help provide improved amenities - including a new gazebo to support local events like weddings.
"The Bindoon Hall supports a range of local arts and culture initiatives. The funding we are committing will help the facility improve its lighting and sound systems - ensuring the facility can continue to provide an important outlet for local creatives and the wider community."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr:
"The towns of Gingin and Bindoon have great and welcoming community spirit which means Granville Park, Bindoon Hall and the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory are very well utilised by the local community and visitors.
"The McGowan Government has provided this funding support to improve these excellent local facilities to ensure they can continue to deliver the great outcomes they are known for.
"We will work with our local stakeholders to finalise the delivery of the Bindoon Hall and Granville Park projects. We also look forward to seeing the Observatory's exciting new plans come to fruition.
"I'm proud to be a member of the McGowan Government - we're getting things done for the Agricultural Region."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
