- Five Great Southern projects to share $564,500 in Regional Economic Development Grants
- State Government investment in manufacturing, accommodation, tourism, and Aboriginal economic development
Five Great Southern projects will share in $564,500 funding under round five of the McGowan Government's Regional Economic Development (RED) grants program.
The McGowan Government's RED grants program is investing $45.8 million over eight years in local projects across Western Australia's regions, to drive economic development and support regional communities.
Successful projects in round five will diversify the tourism and hospitality sectors, and support manufacturing and Aboriginal economic development in the Great Southern.
Broomehill Village Co-operative Ltd will receive $151,000 in grant funding for the refurbishment of the historic two-storey hotel in Broomehill, to increase worker and tourist accommodation in the Upper Great Southern.
A $150,000 grant will support CDG Imports Pty Ltd (trading as Direct Seeding and Harvesting Equipment) in the acquisition of new manufacturing technology, to vertically integrate a production process that is currently being outsourced to suppliers out of the region.
The Trustee for Down South Timber Company Unit Trust (trading as MCC Contractors) will be supported by $149,000 worth of funding to grow the region's civil construction industry capacity, by enabling the service, repair, and fabrication of machinery components for their operations, and other operators in the Great Southern.
A $64,250 grant will contribute to the upgrade of the amphitheatre at Albany's Historic Whaling Station tourism precinct by The Jaycees Community Foundation Inc, addressing market gaps with more affordable and available access to performance venues, and supporting local Made in WA performing arts networks.
The McGovern Foundation will receive $50,250 towards their Wanderer Program, which aims to expand the economic opportunities for Aboriginal people - through their unique driver mentor program - in recognising that the lack of a driver's license is a major barrier to employment.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Round five of RED Grants will support local Great Southern projects focused on job creation and industry expansion.
"Manufacturing, tourism, and Aboriginal economic development are key priorities for development in the Great Southern - and supporting these specific projects will help further progress in these sectors.
"Together, the selected projects in round five will help strengthen the Great Southern economy and community."
Successful round five RED Grant recipients - Great Southern
| Grant Applicant | Project Description | Grant Amount |
| Broomehill Village Co-operative Ltd | Revitalisation of tourism infrastructure and key worker accommodation in the upper Great Southern, via the refurbishment of the historic two-storey hotel in Broomehill | $151,000 |
| CDG Imports Pty Ltd (trading as Direct Seeding and Harvesting Equipment) | CDG in-house manufacturing, in the form of a laser cutting machine to enable production process that is currently outsourced | $150,000 |
| The Trustee for Down South Timber Company Unit Trust (trading as MCC Contractors) | MCC Contractors expansion and new integration facility in Denmark - to allow service, repair, and fabrication of machinery components |
$149,000 |
| The Jaycees Community Foundation Inc | Upgrade of the amphitheatre in the Australian Wildflower Gardens at Albany's Historic Whaling Station, contributing to strengthening capacity and supporting long term sustainability of tourism in the region | $64,250 |
| The McGovern Foundation | The Wanderer program, expanding the economic opportunities for Aboriginal people | $50,250 |
