Regional and remote communities across Western Australia will benefit from McGowan Government grant funding for Community Resource Centres (CRCs) towards technology and innovation projects to grow and improve community services.
The McGowan Government will invest almost $250,000 in a first northern-focused tranche of funding to support 28 regional and remote CRCs in the north of the State to boost technology capacity and better connect communities.
The diverse projects span the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid-West and northern Wheatbelt.
Initiatives range from an interactive smartboard at Hyden, a digital studio in Pingelly, mobile outreach service delivery from Shark Bay to a photolab at Tom Price.
The Western Australian Community Resource Network (WACRN) Program has more than 100 CRCs across regional and remote WA and all CRCs were eligible to apply for the Technology and Innovation Grant.
The program provided grants of up to $10,000 per CRC and is administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The second tranche of successful grant recipients in southern parts of the State will be announced soon.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"It is vital that CRCs, as community-focused organisations operating across regional and remote parts of Western Australia, are well equipped with technology and innovations to deliver modern services to people in their communities.
"Access to technology and innovation is particularly vital for those living in regional and remote areas in order to keep connected.
"These grants will deliver a range of benefits across many communities, from improving internet speeds at CRCs, providing outreach services to nearby towns, improved business websites and marketing, giving local residents access to photo and 3D printing services and improved video conferencing capability."
| CRC | Funding | Project |
| Bencubbin | $9,342 | Upgrade to Microsoft 365 and cloud storage for CRC |
| Bidyadanga | $10,000 | Remote access for a remote community - upgrade of software and hardware in the CRC |
| Broome | $10,000 | Upgrade exisiting 3D printer services with a 3D scanner |
| Cocos Keeling Islands | $10,000 | Extension of services to Home Island |
| Coorow | $10,000 | Installation of CCTV cameras |
| Cunderdin | $9,878 | Movie screen and accompanying hardware |
| Dalwallinu | $2,547 | Electronic document binder |
| Dandaragan | $10,000 | Upgrade computer systems and software |
| Djarindjin | $10,000 | Media computer and 3D printer to reproduce artworks at CRC |
| Dongara | $10,000 | Full technology upgrade for the CRC |
| Dowerin | $5,665 | Upgrade computer and accounting software and purchase of PCs and Kodak instant print kiosk |
| Gingin | $10,000 | Upgrade server, software and printer |
| Goomalling | $6,960 | Multimedia package - Macbook Pro and Nikon Z50 Camera, associated software |
| Jurien Bay | $10,000 | Outreach service to Cervantes one day per week |
| Koorda | $6,757 | Upgrade of hardware to improve client services, specifically telehealth |
| Lancelin | $9,397 | Upgrade computer systems and software for the CRC, including improved printer |
| Leeman Green Head | $10,000 | Renovate CRC to provide room for video conferencing |
| Marble Bar | $10,000 | Upgrade of CRC hardware including improved public access computers and monitors |
| Merredin | $10,000 | Refit of Merredin CRC reception and service area |
| Mingenew | $10,000 | Office 365 upgrade and purchase of laptops to allow for remote and offsite work |
| Mowanjum | $10,000 | Purchase of 10 Dell laptops to replace existing laptops |
| Mullewa | $4,238 | Purchase of large screen for meeting room and 2 CPUs |
| Shark Bay | $5,792 | Provide a mobile service delivery |
| Tom Price | $9,870 | Install photolab in CRC |
| Westonia | $7,333 | Upgrade of printer and installation of smartboard |
| Wongan Hills | $10,000 | Improve desktop publishing services through the upgrade of 3 staff computers |
| Wyalkatchem | $9,453 | Produce films and historical oral histories |
| York | $10,000 | Upgrade computer hardware to deliver Indigenous language and seniors services |
