Funding Sources
The South West Development Commission encourages South West projects to seek funding from a variety of sources, both government and non-government.
Some suggested avenues for funding include:
Regional Investment Fund - Department of Local Government and Regional Development
In 2001, the Western Australian Government established a Regional Investment Fund which has provided $75 million over four years to assist with the economic and social development of regional Western Australia or improve the access by regional communities to services.
An additional $80 million over four years has been allocated to the fund through the May 2004 State Budget process with funding becoming available in 2005/2006.
The funds will continue to assist with the economic and social development of regional Western Australia or improve the access by regional communities to services.
Projects that were considered for funding through the scheme in past years included:
- Tourism development such as Interpretive and Discovery Centres; tourism trails
- Transport enhancement such as improving boat/shipping facilities, air services
- Information and technology enhancement
- Youth focused facilities
- Industry development such as industrial parks; research facilities
- Housing programs to attract professional and skilled employees
- Facilities that will attract and retain long term residents
Funding will be available through five financial assistance schemes:
1. Regional Infrastructure Funding Programme (RIFP)
RIFP offers grants from $100,000 to $5,000,000 for capital infrastructure projects that will assist in attracting investment and increasing jobs in regional areas or improving the access of regional communities to services.
For further information on RIFP, contact Michael Walker on (08) 9217 1463 or email rifp@dlgrd.wa.gov.au
2. Regional Headworks Programme (RHP)
RHP will provide grants from $5,000 to $200,000 for projects involving the connection to providers of the essential services of water, electricity, telecommunications, gas, drainage and sewerage. Eligible projects are small to medium industrial projects that will assist in attracting investment and increasing jobs in regional areas or improving the commercial and industrial activity in the region.
For further information on RHP, contact Tim Horne on (08) 9217 1465 or email rhp@dlgrd.wa.gov.au
3. Indigenous Regional Development Program (IRDP)
IRDP will provide grants from $10,000 to $500,000 for projects that assist in strengthening the governance, confidence, economic capacity and sustainability of Indigenous communities. Projects that may be considered for funding through the Program are capital works and infrastructure, and other capital items.
For further information on IRDP, contact Steve May on (08) 9217 1468 or email irdp@dlgrd.wa.gov.au
4. Western Australian Regional Initiatives Scheme (WARIS)
WARIS calls for applications for grants from $10,000 to $250,000 for non-capital works projects designed to deliver benefits to more than one region. These may include projects relating to tourism and business development, life-long learning, arts and culture, environment and natural resource management and population retention.
For further information on WARIS, contact Helena Zlatnik on (08) 9217 1466 or email waris@dlgrd.wa.gov.au
5. Regional Development Scheme (RDS)
The primary objective of this Scheme is to improve the economic and social development of regional Western Australia by funding projects that will assist in attracting investment and increasing jobs. RDS provides financial assistance from $5,000 up to $150,000.
For further information please email our Grants Officer or telephone 08 9792 2000.
Other Funding Sources
The following links are to some useful grant directories:
grantsdirectory.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/