South West Regional Grants Scheme applications open - 20 October 2009
The South West Development Commission today welcomed the launch of a new round of the Royalties for Regions − South West Regional Grants Scheme.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced the second round of the grants program in Bunbury today (October 20).
Under the scheme, $45million will be shared between the nine Regional Development Commissions.
South West Development Commission chief executive officer Don Punch said the Commission would receive $5million in the new allocation of the grants scheme.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the people living in the region to identify projects and apply for funding to make them happen,” he said.
“We had a huge response to the first round of grants and we know many people have been waiting to hear when the next round would open.”
A total of 66 projects received funding support through the first South West Regional Grants Scheme, including the Munda Biddi Trail, Nannup Amphitheatre and South West Medical Attraction Taskforce.
Minister Grylls said the Regional Grants Scheme was a key Royalties for Regions initiative that put particular emphasis on local decision-making.
“The Regional Development Commissions have an important and expanding role in the regions and are in a good position to determine which projects should be funded,” he said.
“The scheme gives regional communities and all organisations with regional interests the chance to apply for funding directly through the Development Commissions, knowing that their applications will be assessed in the region.
“It is putting money back in to communities and giving them the chance to determine for themselves how that money is best spent.”
The latest round of contestable grants is part of a total pool of $73 million allocated to regional communities through the Regional Development Commission structure in the 2009-10 budget.
Of this total pool, $28 million has been made available for projects identified by the Regional Development Council in conjunction with the nine Commissions. The Regional Development Council is the peak advisory body to the Western Australian Government on regional development issues.
Applications for the grants will close on 10 February 2010.
For more information about the grants or to apply go to the South West Regional Grants Scheme page.
…ENDS
Media contact:
Teneille Watson
Community Relations Officer
M: 0417 961 051