The McGowan Government is backing local industry in the Goldfields and Esperance in the latest round of the Regional Economic Development (RED) grants.
Six projects have been supported to share in $770,800 in Round 3 grants to help create new jobs and training opportunities, and expand local businesses in the region.
Curtin University will receive $200,000 for research to be undertaken through its Kalgoorlie campus to investigate methods to treat hypersaline water that provides fit-for-purpose supply of industrial water to the resource industry in the Goldfields.
The grant will support securing a researcher to undertake the project and look at other ways to unlock further economic potential through water by-products.
The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society will receive $105,500 to create the Kanowna Historic Site and Heritage Trail, providing a new heritage tourism experience in the historic town site just 20 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie.
The Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation will use its $136,500 to up-skill Aboriginal people in the sustainable harvest of native flora and regenerative agriculture including seed collection and propagation, training and mentoring, and business development.
The project will focus on collaboration between horticulture specialists and provide employment opportunities for local Aboriginal people, particularly youth, in regenerative land management practices.
Esperance Honey will invest its $133,200 grant to expand and upgrade its facility and equipment to enable increased production and new product lines including raw unprocessed honey, honeycomb, creamed honey and candles.
The business will also work towards attaining a B-Qual industry certification to help open up new markets and export opportunities.
The McGowan Government has committed an additional $5 million to extend the initiative for another year – with a total of $33.8 million directed to RED grants over six years for projects that will directly benefit regional communities.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“Now more than ever, we need to invest in our regions and back projects that create new jobs and provide for businesses to grow and diversify to remain sustainable into the future.
“These exciting six projects cover a range of diverse initiatives in the region, from tourism and agriculture to regenerative agriculture practices and Aboriginal employment projects.
“We look forward to seeing these projects up and running, bringing local employment and training opportunities and longer term benefits to local communities.”
Successful Round 3 RED grant recipients – Goldfields-Esperance
| Grant applicant | Project description | Grant amount |
| Curtin University | The Supporting Industrial Investment Strategy in the Goldfields through Fit-for-Purpose Water Research project will test and develop methods to provide industrial water supply to the Goldfields. | $200,000 |
| Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation | Tjuntjuntjara Microgrid and Battery Storage Project – to deliver a community owned and run battery storage and microgrid for the remote Aboriginal community to become energy efficient and self-manage their own requirements. | $185,400 |
| Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation | News Skills Ancient Practices – to up-skill Aboriginal people in sustainable harvest of native flora and regenerative agriculture. | $136,500 |
| Esperance Honey | Facility updated and B-Qual certification – expansion of the business to increase production and diversify product lines. Funding will support the purchase of new equipment and an upgrade of the facility. | $133,200 |
| Eastern Goldfields Historical Society | Kanowna Historic Site and Heritage Trail – support the design, supply and installation of interpretive signage to create the trail. | $105,500 |
| Esperance Distillery | Spirit of Esperance – Still upgrade project – support the installation of a new 200 litre still to diversify and expand to produce high value exportable products. | $10,200 |
