Regional Grants Scheme applications open.

20/10/2009

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS

20 October 2009

Regional Grant Scheme applications open

The Wheatbelt Development Commission today welcomed the launch of a new round of the Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced the second round of the grants program in Bunbury today, the 20 October.

Under the scheme, $45million will be shared between the nine Regional Development Commissions.
 
Wheatbelt Development Commission Chair, Darren West said the commission would receive $5million in the new allocation from Royalties for Regions.

“The funds are available to encourage collaborative efforts that aim to make our region an attractive place to live, work and play,” he said.

“The initial round was a great success and I, as well as many others, look forward to seeing the proposals that come from community this time around.

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 community 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.

For more information about the grants contact the commission or go to the Royalties for Regions website: www.RoyaltiesforRegions.wa.gov.au

Applications for the grants will close on 10 February 2010.
 
Contact:
Wheatbelt Development Commission
9622 7222

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