Nine projects across the Gascoyne that drive job opportunities, support tourism and build local arts and food experiences will share in $1.25 million through Round 2 of the McGowan Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The McGowan Government has committed $28.8 million over five years towards the RED Grants program to support projects that will directly benefit regional communities and drive economic development in the regions.
Tidal Moon will receive $250,000 to support the Tidal Moon Sea Cucumbers project, which aims to develop a viable commercial sea cucumber business while maintaining cultural heritage and environmental stewardship in collaboration with Aboriginal communities, Mulgana (Shark Bay), Bayungu (Coral Bay/Exmouth) and Thalanyji (Onslow).
The funding will be used to assist in harvesting and drying wild sea cucumber.
Ngala Children’s Services has been awarded $150,000 to construct a new day care complex in the heart of Denham, providing flexible, modern, safe and multipurpose childcare for children up to five years old.
Mandalay Holiday Resort will receive $125,000 to increase the capacity and quality of caravanning and camping experiences available in Denham and the greater Shark Bay area.
This involves the expansion of the Denham Seaside Caravan Park including an additional 55 powered caravan and camping sites, and introducing modern communal ablutions, games room and campers’ kitchen facility.
Other projects supported include funding for glamping at Bullara Station, a project to develop better tourist facilities at Mt Augustus, and an expansion of Bumbak’s Preserves and Ice-creams in Carnarvon.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“Through the RED Grants program, the McGowan Government is investing in community-driven projects to create jobs, support tourism and boost economic growth across regional Western Australia.
“Tourism and aquaculture are a key focus in this round of REDs in the Gascoyne, playing to the region’s natural strengths and driving new job-creating business opportunities from Exmouth to Carnarvon, Shark Bay and out to Mt Augustus.
“It is fantastic to support the Ngala Children’s Service childcare project in Denham, driving economic development by helping to ensure people living in regional communities can get back into the workforce.”
Minister’s office – 6552 6200
Successful RED grants projects for the Gascoyne region:
| Recipient | Project | Funding |
| Tidal Moon | The Tidal Moon Sea Cucumbers project is a collaboration with three Aboriginal communities, Mulgana (Shark Bay), Bayungu (Coral Bay / Exmouth) and Thalanyji (Onslow), aiming to develop a viable commercial sea cucumber business while maintaining cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. | $250,000 |
| Tasmanian Blue Water Oysters | The Exmouth Oysters project is a three-year oyster growing trial in the Bay of Rest near Learmonth, which aims to prove the viability of growing the naturally-occurring Saccostrea species of oysters in the Exmouth area. | $83,500 |
| Bullara Estates Pty Ltd | Bullara Station Stay aims to expand the station’s capacity to accommodate guests, including high-end glamping tents and new affordable powered camping and caravan sites, along with new amenities including a shearing shed hub. | $203,000 |
| Ngala Children’s Services | The Shark Bay Early Years Multi-Age Complex project involves the construction of a new day care complex primarily to operate Education and Care and other community programs focusing on children up to five years, located in the heart of Denham, next to Shark Bay School. | $150,000 |
| Harvest Road Oceans | The Massey Bay Oyster Farm project is a new pilot-scale oyster farm with a proposed location south of Carnarvon in Massey Bay. It will consist of four sites operating different commercial oyster farming systems to determine the most suitable systems and species for local conditions. | $125,000 |
| Danver Holdings Pty Ltd | Phase two of the development of Bumbak’s Preserves and Ice-creams, which involves fitting out the processing plant and upgrading the commercial kitchen with new equipment to increase production. | $75,000 |
| Mandalay Holiday Resort | The Denham Seaside Caravan Park Enhancement and Expansion project will increase capacity and quality of caravanning and camping experiences available in Denham and the greater Shark Bay area, with additional powered caravan and camping sites, and an introduction of modern communal ablutions, games room and campers’ kitchen at the Denham Seaside Caravan Park. | $125,000 |
| Mount Augustus Tourist Park | The Mt Augustus Tourist Park Hub project will involve the construction of a building to house the Tourist Park reception, regional information displays, office and bookings area for Burringurrah community tours and workshops, tavern, bar and function centre and shop. | $100,000 |
| Gascoyne in May Inc | The Gascoyne Travelling Arts project will implement the pre-production, planning and training stages of Gascoyne in May Travelling Arts Festival and contribute to the delivery of the program. | $140,000 |
