Eight Gascoyne projects are set to benefit from funding under round five of the McGowan Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The McGowan Government’s RED Grants program has invested $45.8 million over eight years in local projects across Western Australia’s regions, to drive economic development and support regional communities.
The Shire of Carnarvon is among the group of successful recipients, receiving $240,000 to build essential workforce accommodation in Carnarvon.
Ozsparagus will receive $26,504 to trial production of a white asparagus variety, which attracts a higher market price and net return than other green varieties and can be grown year-round.
Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation will use $152,000 to construct new tourism infrastructure at Cardabia Station in Coral Bay. The project will support their cultural arts, dance and a music festival coinciding with the 2023 Ningaloo Eclipse.
Mallard Construction Pty Ltd will use $32,824 to expand operations in Carnarvon. The business is 100% Aboriginal owned and has strong emphasis on employing and training local Aboriginal people.
Mutts Café in Exmouth will receive $50,000 to expand their café capacity and create a new burger restaurant.
Successful projects in Round five will diversify the tourism and hospitality sector, support new horticultural products, and deliver new workforce accommodation in the region.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“Round five of the RED grants program will fund a range of projects to increase productivity and business capacity as well as boosting tourism opportunities ahead of the April 2023 Ningaloo Eclipse.
“The funding will be used to purchase key equipment and infrastructure to deliver new jobs, industry diversification and skills development.
“The RED grants continue to support local businesses and organisations to develop, grow and diversify to better service regional communities.”
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster:
“The McGowan Government has continued to show its ongoing commitment to local businesses and jobs across WA’s regions.
“A huge range of projects have been supported this year. I look forward to seeing them deliver benefits to communities across the Gascoyne region.”
Successful Round 5 RED Grant recipients – Gascoyne
| Grant Applicant | Project Description | Grant Amount |
| Shire of Carnarvon | Construction of two multi-worker private bedroom/bathroom houses with shared living facilities on Shire owned land. Providing essential worker accommodation for local businesses. A purpose-specific housing design will be used so that each dwelling could accommodate up to 4 essential workers. | $240,000 |
| Ozsparagus | To trial production of a white asparagus variety. White asparagus attracts a higher market price and net return than other green varieties and can be grown year-round. Funding to be used to construct new growing domes. | $26,504 |
| Mallard Construction | The project is to expand its operations through construction of a new office and storage facility in the Carnarvon light industrial area. The business is 100% Aboriginal owned and has strong emphasis on employing and training Aboriginal people. | $32,824 |
| Ningaloo Discovery | To refurbish their ageing catamaran for continued commercial use, in time for the 2023 eclipse, to enable scaling up of short sailing tours and private sailing charters. | $65,000 |
| Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation | To construct permanent tourism infrastructure at Cardabia Station (Coral Bay); redevelop shearing shed into communal commercial kitchen, water servicing and toilets/ablutions. This will also support the cultural arts, dance and music festival called Jamba Nyinayi Festival at Cardabia Station during the 2023 Ningaloo Eclipse. | $152,000 |
| Mutts Café | Expand their cafe business into a burger restaurant increasing capacity from 60 to 200 people. Funding will be used for commercial kitchen and equipment for in-house production of ice-cream and plans to be completed prior to the 2023 Ningaloo eclipse. | $50,000 |
| Carnarvon Windfest | The project will support Windfest 2023 to include three water sports events across the Gascoyne (Shark Bay Downwinder, Carnarvon Windfest, Exmouth Downwinder). The events aim to stimulate the region’s economy during the tourism low season. Funding will be used for event management and promotion. | $26,000 |
| Aboriginal Biodiversity Conservation Foundation | Purchase a can counting machine to increase the efficiency of the Containers for Change Scheme (C4C) in Carnarvon. | $16,686 |
