Great Southern projects focusing on creating jobs, manufacturing and boosting tourism experiences have received funding through the McGowan Government's Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
Eight projects across the Great Southern region will share in $797,995 through Round 2 of the RED Grants program.
The McGowan Government has committed $28.8 million over five years towards the RED Grants program for projects that will directly benefit regional communities.
Himac Attachments will receive $47,148 to develop and construct an interactive digital platform for fabrication and welding processes, creating new job opportunities for young people, including school leavers, in the region.
Streamlining the manufacturing process will also boost production, benefiting local steel supply businesses and decreasing the number of attachments that need to be imported.
South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc. will use its $149,860 grant to develop the Seeding Great Southern Noongar Enterprises project.
The project will provide training, equipment and mentoring for Tambellup and Gnowangerup Aboriginal communities to establish seed and seedling propagation businesses to meet growing demand through the emerging native bush food industry and environmental restoration projects.
The Shire of Cranbrook will receive $150,000 to expand accommodation facilities at the Frankland River Caravan Park to include self-contained accommodation, helping to support tourism growth in the region.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The McGowan Government is investing in a diverse range of projects, particularly those which will create jobs and training opportunities for young people and support the long-term growth of manufacturing and business development in the Great Southern.
"Boosting our local manufacturing capability is vital to the future economic growth and sustainability of our regional communities.
"Projects such as the construction of modular housing and local machinery fabrication will provide wide community benefits, supporting other local businesses in the region like steel suppliers, electricians, tilers and plumbers."
As stated by Albany MLA Peter Watson:
"This is a great example of the McGowan Government investing in the regions, promoting small businesses and creating jobs.
"With more jobs on offer, the Great Southern becomes even more attractive for people to live and work in this stunning part of the world."
Successful RED grants projects for the Great Southern region:
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Shire of Cranbrook | Frankland River Accommodation Project - Expansion of accommodation facilities at the Frankland River Caravan Park to include self-contained accommodation to meet the needs of visitors and workers to the area. | $150,000 |
| West Coast Analytical Services | New Laboratory Project - Construction of a custom-designed building to accommodate the requirements of a growing laboratory business in the Shire of Plantagenet. | $150,000 |
| South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc. | Seeding Great Southern Noongar Enterprises - Will provide training, equipment and mentoring for Tambellup and Gnowangerup Aboriginal communities to establish seed and seedling propagation businesses to meet the growing demand for seed stocks for the emerging native bush food industry and environmental restoration projects. | $149,860 |
| Woodlands Distillery Pty Ltd | Woodlands Distillery - Development of a micro-distillery near the Porongurups, including a tasting cellar and showroom to boost tourism in the region. | $98,660 |
| Dellendale Creamery | Construction of a ripening cellar for cheese - To expand cheese production facilities to meet increased demand for the product. | $76,177 |
| Albany Seafoods Pty Ltd | Factory extension and restoration - Expansion of facilities to increase capacity to freeze and process more seafood per day and work towards gaining approvals as an export facility. | $75,000 |
| Monty's Leap winery | Monty's Leap Winery Boardwalk and Rustic Wedding Venue project - To provide additional tourism experiences by constructing a boardwalk to the Kalgan River to accommodate Kalgan Queen Cruise boat passengers and renovation works to provide a rustic wedding venue/function room. | $51,150 |
| Himac Attachments | Manufacturing digital infrastructure - To develop and construct a fully interactive platform for fabrication and welding processes, creating new job opportunities for young people, including school leavers, in the region. | $47,148 |
