Ten Wheatbelt projects will share in $1.16 million funding to help build regional business resilience and economic diversity under Round 7 of the Cook Labor Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.

The RED Grants program is investing $55.85 million over nine years toward locally driven projects to stimulate economic growth in regional WA.

The announcement was made by Regional Development Minister Don Punch today at the Darkan Hotel, which was one of the successful Wheatbelt recipients.

The Darkan Hotel will use a $182,350 grant to construct an accommodation precinct adjacent to the existing premises on the Coalfields Highway, which will help to address the critical shortage of short-stay accommodation in the Shire of West Arthur.

In 2022, 43 community members purchased the Darkan Hotel and, following refurbishment, launched as a social enterprise in August this year.

The grant will go towards earthworks, services development, and landscaping for the accommodation area, along with the construction of the first of four units with ensuites.

Among the Round 7 recipients is Williams-based Price’s Fabrication and Steel, which has been awarded $196,000 to support its steel manufacturing expansion and automation project.

The funding will support the purchase and installation of a laser automation machine to improve productivity, precision, and efficiency in the business’s steel fabrication processes to produce custom-made agricultural sheds and structures.

A $200,000 grant awarded to Avon Valley Toyota will supercharge Electric Vehicle and ICE vehicle servicing capacity through a major infrastructure expansion and new apprenticeship program.

The funding will go towards the cost of a new showroom, the transformation of the current showroom into a pre-delivery fit-out centre, the construction of additional workshop space to accommodate six additional vehicle bays, and the installation of two additional EV charging stations.

The project will address the growth in servicing demands for internal combustion engine and electric vehicles in the Northam area, and create six new jobs for the community.

Northam-based Eclipse Brewery will use a $155,000 grant to fit-out a new production facility and expand their hospitality offering in the Wheatbelt.

The funding will contribute to the brewery equipment refurbishment and commissioning, landscaping, and installation of the new entertainment and kitchen equipment.

The project is expected to create 13 new full-time positions within the first 12 months of operation.

Mortlock Timber Pty Ltd will use their $100,000 grant to enhance their production line of timber products to meet the growing demand for premium, customised architectural, and furniture timber products and support diversification away from native timbers. ‍

The grant will also help the proponent replace an end-matching machine, significantly increasing production speed and boosting overall productivity and output at their Cunderdin facility by 20 per cent.

An $80,000 grant for CRISP Wireless Regional Innovation Hub will help the establishment of a regional innovation hub committed to the expansion and delivery of regional connectivity initiatives in the Wheatbelt.

The funding will go towards the fit-out of the hub facility, including the installation of industrial shelving units, security system, and internetto meet the identified needs of the business growth and expansion.

The establishment of this hub will provide a centralised, permanent location for CRISP Wireless locally in Narrogin and support the expansion of the telecommunications industry in the Wheatbelt.

Successful projects in Round 7 will diversify the agribusiness, tourism, and hospitality offerings in the Wheatbelt, and support regional job creation in the manufacturing and telecommunication sectors.

View the full media release: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook-Labor-Government/RED-grants-creating-jobs-and-supporting-economic-diversification-in-the-Wheatbelt–20241001

Successful Round 7 RED Grant recipients – Wheatbelt