On January 14, 2022 in the Great Southern region of the state of Western Australia, five projects focused on creating jobs, boosting local manufacturing, advancing Aboriginal economic development and enhancing business incubation got a major boost from Australia‘s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said, “Round four of RED Grants will help build on existing manufacturing capabilities and will bring new businesses into the Great Southern, helping to strengthen and diversify the local economy. We see huge potential for Aboriginal employment in carbon farming across the State. To drive these land restorations, activities will require a real scaling up of seed collection and nursery development. Our RED Grants are continuing to deliver for regional communities across Western Australia.”
The RED Grants program is a $40.8 million initiative focused on locally-driven projects that contribute to the economic growth and development of regional Western Australia.
These five projects across the Great Southern region will share in $586,100 through Round 4 of the RED Grants program:
- Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation and Tambellup Aboriginal Progress Association will share a $94,000 RED Grant, auspiced through South Coast Natural Resource Management, to scale up a native seed enterprise in Tambellup and a native seedling nursery in Gnowangerup, focusing on environmental restoration-related business development for Aboriginal people.
- Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) secured a $62,100 RED Grant to purchase a commercial greenhouse to support BAC’s growing land-based enterprises in carbon offsetting, land regeneration, bushfoods and cultural tourism.
- A $50,000 RED Grant will support redevelopment of the Albany Business Centre to provide more space for local start-up businesses and further business workshops and training courses.
- Venco Products, a specialist manufacturer of ceramics and pottery equipment, will receive $190,000 in grant funding towards the purchase of land and the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Albany.
- A $190,000 grant will support modular home maker Aspect Modular Pty Ltd relocating its operations from Perth to the city of Denmark, investing in the purchase of land from Development WA and constructing a manufacturing facility.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said, “Round four of RED Grants will help build on existing manufacturing capabilities and will bring new businesses into the Great Southern, helping to strengthen and diversify the local economy. We see huge potential for Aboriginal employment in carbon farming across the State. To drive these land restorations, activities will require a real scaling up of seed collection and nursery development. Our RED Grants are continuing to deliver for regional communities across Western Australia.”
Photo of the Wheatbelt NRM’s Noongar Boodjar Rangers is courtesy of the Wheatbelt Development Commission (Western Australia).
Learn more about the Regional Economic Development Grants program.