The Pilbara has been given a boost with the announcement of the latest round of Regional Economic Development (RED) grants to stimulate business growth and jobs in the region.
Ten recipients will share in a total of $797,544 from Round 3 of the RED grants program announced today.
The Onyx Group will receive a $100,000 grant towards establishing a marine tour and charter business to showcase the Dampier Archipelago and capture high-end tourism opportunities, creating four new jobs and at least seven part-time opportunities, including Aboriginal traineeships.
Karratha's EcoMag will receive $97,921 towards its project to process and rehabilitate hypersaline waste brines produced by Australian solar salt and potash operations, to produce ultra-high purity magnesium compounds for sale into international specialty chemicals and pharmaceutical markets.
A $96,581 grant to Karratha-based North West Recycling will allow the company to expand its service to Onslow, Roebourne and Pannawonica, generating employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal youth and people with disability.
A $50,000 grant to the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation in Port Hedland will enable a feasibility study and business case to be prepared on the commercial and technical viability of recycling end-of-life conveyor belts from the region's mining industry.
The latest announcement of funds is in addition to the $1.59 million approved for 18 projects in the Pilbara from the previous two rounds of RED grants.
The McGowan Government recently committed an additional $5 million to extend the RED grant program for another year, with a total of $33.8 million to be disseminated to regional communities over the six-year period of 2018-19 to 2023-24.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"We are committed to driving economic diversification in the Pilbara, and this latest round of innovative concepts will not only capture fresh business opportunities but also provide employment pathways for local people throughout the region.
"Businesses and communities from right across the region benefit from these grants, which will help drive local enterprise development and growth, generating significant flow-on benefits.
"There is a strong tourism focus in this round, celebrating the stunning natural beauty of the Pilbara - with an ambition to show it off to the rest of the nation.
"The RED grants program continues to enhance regional business opportunities and build stronger, more resilient, vital communities throughout Western Australia."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"The McGowan Government's RED grants are funding almost $2.4 million in local, job-creating projects throughout the Pilbara.
"These projects are helping to diversify our Pilbara economy, building the sustainability of our communities.
"It is great to see emerging businesses from across the region supported through this program, driving diversified employment opportunities in the Pilbara."
Successful Round 3 RED grant projects for the Pilbara:
Applicant |
Project |
Funding |
Onyx Group (Karratha) |
Archipelago Adventures - to establish a marine tour and charter business showcasing the bays and islands of the Dampier Archipelago and the surrounding coastline. |
$100,000 |
EcoMag (Karratha) |
Magnesium salt flowsheet development - to undertake laboratory and pilot test work and employ engineering services for the process plant design. |
$97,921 |
North West Recycling (Karratha) |
Mobile refund point - to expand the Karratha service to Onslow, Roebourne and Pannawonica and diversify into other recyclable goods. |
$96,581 |
Reef Craft (Dampier Archipelago) |
Reef Ark Dampier - to develop a coral farm and support reef restoration and rehabilitation of marine environments. |
$93,034 |
Pilbara Tourism Association (Pilbara-wide) |
Warlu Way Travel - to develop an interpretive app for the Warlu Way Trail tourist drive through the North-West. |
$90,182 |
Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation (Roebourne) |
Yirramagardu Crew - to re-establish the Roebourne employment agency to develop participants' skills and capabilities and overcome barriers to employment. |
$62,826 |
Marlpa Waste Logistics (Karratha) |
Community Cyclone Recovery - to expand an existing Aboriginal owned and managed business and provide green waste services to remote Aboriginal communities. |
$57,000 |
Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation (Port Hedland) |
Recycling mining conveyor belts - to undertake a feasibility study and business case for recycling end-of-life conveyer belts from the mining industry. |
$50,000 |
Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce (Port Hedland) |
WEB Business Hub Digital and Technology Skills - to deliver a six-month coding training program to encourage women into careers in technology. |
$50,000 |
Ngurra Kujungka (Martu Communities) |
Martu Recreation Officer and training program - to train and employ 10 part-time Martu recreation officers from Western Desert communities. |
$100,000 |
