More than $180 million in grants for country WA has been announced by the state government this week.
More than $180 million in grants for country WA has been announced by the state government this week.
Port Hedland and Kununurra airports are set for substantial upgrades as part of almost $7 million in funding for country airports from the Regional Airports Development Scheme.
"This year, 36 regional airports will share $6.87million for infrastructure upgrades and maintenance programs to provide improved access for communities, safer emergency evacuations and greater tourism opportunities," said Transport Minister Simon O'Brien.
This is the highest round of funding in the scheme's 14 year history and includes $5.5 million from the Royalties for Regions Program.
The biggest grants were awarded to Kununurra ($1.8million) to expand the airport terminal and to Port Hedland ($800,000) for substantial upgrades to the runway and terminal facilities.
Today, Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced another round of Royalties for Regions Regional Grants.
"This year 233 new projects valued at more than $140million, have received approval from the nine regional development commissions across the State," he said.
"Royalties for Regions funding will contribute more than $27million, with additional funding provided by hundreds of other organisations - both big and small - supporting our regional communities.
"Every regional development commission has had an incredibly tough job allocating these funds."
These include:
- Gascoyne -15 projects receiving $3.91million, including the Carnarvon One Mile Jetty Interpretive Centre; Gascoyne Regional Library and Art Gallery; and Carnarvon Volunteer Sea Rescue Group's purpose-built rescue vessel
- Goldfields-Esperance - 22 projects receiving $1.54million, including the Esperance Care Services relocation and expansion; Ravensthorpe Town Hall redevelopment; and Full Circle Therapies autism development project
- Great Southern - 31 projects receiving $3.58million, including the Albany Surf Life Saving clubroom extension; Great Southern program for the Perth International Arts Festival; and the YMCA's Smart Start Early Years Program
- Kimberley - 26 projects receiving $2.62million, including the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service recovery centre in Broome; Derby Visitor Centre construction; and St John Ambulance facility upgrade in Kununurra
- Mid-West - 26 projects receiving $3.69million, including the Eadon-Clarke Sporting Complex redevelopment; Mt Magnet Mining and Pastoral Heritage Museum; and Northampton Community Centre redevelopment
- Peel - 20 projects receiving $2.45million, including the Dwellingup Community Village senior units and community centre; Mandurah Surf Life Saving Club community facility and clubhouse; and Drakesbrook Weir improvement project
- Pilbara - 30 projects receiving $3.74million, including the Pilbara Aboriginal Arts Enterprise project; the Wickham Skatepark; and Roebourne Youth Centre
- South-West - 37 projects receiving $2.8million, including Jewel Cave Preservation and Redevelopment project; Geegeelup Village accommodation units infrastructure; and Manjimup Volunteer and Resource Centre building extension
- Wheatbelt - 26 projects receiving $3.12million, including the Kellerberrin Recreation and Leisure Centre development; and the Centre for Agriculture and Farm Technology in Narrogin.
On Wednesday, Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced 42 million dollars in Royalties for Regions funding as part of the Pilbara Cities program.
Mr Grylls said the 16 projects would help to establish a more sustainable social and economic base for the Pilbara region.
"These projects address strategic priority areas, including land availability, affordable housing, health, education, community activation, transport and indigenous affairs," Mr Grylls said.
The new strategic infrastructure projects are supported by the Pilbara Development Commission and endorsed by the Pilbara Revitalisation Plan Steering Committee
See list of projects below:
- Bloodwood Tree Association - Training and Employment Centre - This is the only indigenous training and employment provider in the East Pilbara and this project will provide a new building for office and service delivery space. Total cost of this project is $2.9million with $920,000 being allocated from Royalties for Regions
- Education Department - Hedland Senior High School Upgrade - The school building and the adjoining Hardy House will receive an extensive upgrade. $4million will be provided from Royalties for Regions funding and a further $4million from BHP Billiton
- FORM - Roebourne Art Group Art Centre - a new purpose-built art centre will be erected in Roebourne. The total cost is $2.3million with $1.5million from Royalties for Regions
- Gumala Aboriginal Corporation - Educational and Cultural Amphitheatre Vision - A state-of-the-art 140-seat cultural amphitheatre and dorm-style accommodation units will be built in the Karijini National Park. Total cost of the project is $1.6million, of which $1million will be allocated from Royalties for Regions
- Ngarluma/Yindjibarni Foundation - Woodbrook Law Grounds - Additional ablution facilities will be built at this location to service the increasing numbers of visitors to this major Aboriginal Law ground in the Pilbara Region and the existing homestead for a permanent caretaker will be upgraded. The project cost is $820,000 with funding from Royalties for Regions of $350,000
- Pilbara Development Commission (PDC) - Office Accommodation - A local building will be refurbished to provide adequate space to co-locate the PDC with other Government agencies to provide a 'whole of Pilbara' approach. Funding of $300,000 will be allocated from Royalties for Regions
- Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service - Jigalong New Clinic and Staff Accommodation. Prepare design and costs for suitable building/infrastructure for medical services in Jigalong. Total cost of the project is $60,000 which will be allocated under Royalties for Regions
- Shire of Roebourne - Karratha Education, Leisure and Training Project - This project will see the Shire of Roebourne work with the Department of Education for the establishment of a new high school and community sporting facilities. Cost of the project is $112million. Initial funding was provided under the Pilbara Revitalisation Program of $4.3million and a further $16million has been allocated under Royalties for Regions
- Yaandina Family Centre - Roebourne Youth Centre - This project will fund the construction of a new youth centre in Roebourne. Total cost of the project is $4.2million of which $1million was allocated from Royalties for Regions
- Kanyirninpa Jukurrarrpa - Martu Knowledge Program - Three houses in Newman will be purchased to allow senior managers to be recruited to this not-for-profit organisation that works towards building a viable economy for Martu people and their community. The total cost of the project is $2.1million which will be provided by funding from Royalties for Regions
- Rio Tinto - Dampier Childcare Centre Upgrade - A new childcare facility for 38 children will be built to cater for the increasing demand for childcare services in Dampier. Total cost of the project is $3million with $1.5million allocated from Royalties for Regions
- Rio Tinto - Paraburdoo Childcare Centre - Paraburdoo does not currently have childcare facilities, this project will build a new childcare facility in the town. The cost of the project is $3million with $1.5million being provided in Royalties for Regions funding
- Shire of Ashburton - Tom Price Sporting Precinct - A new sports pavilion on the Clem Thompson oval, a refurbished civic centre, netball/basketball courts upgrade and lights on Minga oval in North Tom Price will be delivered by this project. Total project cost is $5.6million with $5million being provided in Royalties for Regions funding
- Shire of East Pilbara - East Pilbara Communications Enhancement - This project will extend the optical fibre cable from Newman to Nullagine. This extension will provide a reliable and robust communication capability to the region. The total cost of this project is $12.9million with funding of $2.4million from Royalties for Regions
- Town of Port Hedland - Cemetery Beach/Koombana Community Parks - Additional facilities will be installed at Cemetery Beach Community Park and a new park site will be created in the Koombana area of South Hedland. Project cost is $6million of which $3million will be allocated through Royalties for Regions
- Town of Port Hedland - General Practitioner (GP) Housing Project - This project will see the construction of nine to 10 dwellings for use by GPs to assist in attracting medical professionals to the area. The cost is $4.5million with $1.5million being provided from Royalties for Regions.
