South West Businesses Receive $5 Million Injection

• The Western Australian Government has awarded $5 million to 65 community groups and small businesses in the South West
• The funds from the second and final round of the Community Small Grants Fund (CSGF) are part of the $80 million Native Forestry Transition Plan

The WA Government, through the Community Small Grants Fund, has awarded $5 million to 65 community groups and small businesses in former South West timber communities.

Grants of up to $100,000 were available for applicants with the total fund increased to $5 million, up from the previously announced $2 million figure.

This is the second and final round of the CSGF which was aimed at stimulating and diversifying the economy in WA's native forest region.

Successful recipient projects include building new facilities at Nannup Men's Shed, to allow more community workshops to be offered with a focus on mateship and mental health, as well as the construction of a new 'Bikepackers' hostel and nature play area at the Toy Library, also in Nannup.

Other successful projects around the region include an expansion to the Pemberton aged-care facilities, an upgrade to the Pemberton Sports Club and continuing the preservation of historic buildings in Donnelly River.

In addition, an extension has been granted to the Business Transition Program (BTP) and Workforce Transition Program (WTP) until the end of 2025.

This allows financial support to continue to be accessed by impacted businesses and workers for a further 12 months.

For more information on the BTP and WTP see: WA.gov.au | Native Forest Transition (www.wa.gov.au)

Since September 2021, the WA Government has committed $80 million to support the transition of workers, businesses, and communities linked to the native forest industry.

The WA Government has also invested a record $350 million establishing new softwood plantations across the South West, which will create and support WA forestry jobs.

The decision to end native forest logging saves an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forests, resulting in the protection of almost two million hectares of native forest for future generations.

As stated by Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"The WA Government remains committed to supporting community groups and small businesses in the South West who have been impacted by the end to commercial native forest logging.

"These 65 recipients will all benefit from the Community Small Grants Fund and be able to evolve their businesses as well as contribute to the ongoing prosperity of the region.

"I am pleased to extend both the Business Transition and Workforce Transition Programs for another 12 months to ensure as many impacted people have access to these vital resources."

As stated by Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

"This funding has helped bring new energy to the South West by supporting small businesses and community groups across the region to do fantastic things for their local community.

"I am particularly excited about the new nature play area at the Toy Library in Nannup, which will be welcomed by families, and the new 'Bikepackers' hostel, which will provide a new attraction for tourists.

"These projects make our regional towns better places to live, visit and importantly they diversify the local economy."

Community Small Grants Fund recipients