Driving new tourism opportunities and diversifying local agriculture are the focus of seven grants in the Peel region, funded through the McGowan Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The McGowan Government has allocated $23.9 million over four years to the RED Grants program, administered by the nine Regional Development Commissions, providing $855,000 to the Peel region in the first round.
Improving the tourism experience in the Peel is a major focus of the first round of RED Grants.
Mandurah Boat and Bike Hire will receive almost $150,000 to support its custom build of two new multipurpose tour vessels, to help attract overseas tour operators to the region.
The McGowan Government will also invest $100,000 in a Mandurah Cruises project to purchase a second boat for its Wild Seafood Experience tourism product, expanding their potential tourism market.
Dwellingup’s Forest Heritage Centre will receive $135,000 for upgrades at the Jarrah Forest Lodge, to enable YHA accreditation and an increase in bookings to secure Dwellingup’s future as a tourist hotspot.
In agriculture, ManukaLife Pty Ltd will receive more than $120,000 to trial the production of Manuka essential oil in a broad acre farming environment to determine the economic viability of commercialising the industry in Western Australia.
The opportunity to commercialise Manuka oil production in WA is an opportunity to capitalise on global demand for the product, which is currently sourced from New Zealand.
Funding has also been allocated towards developing Capogreco Farm’s export-ready cooling systems, relocating a plastic manufacturing business to Cardup and developing a paint yard in Mandurah.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“The Peel region is growing rapidly and our Government is driving new job opportunities in tourism, agriculture and manufacturing.
“These RED Grants will help to put the Peel region on the national and international tourism stage, showing off the natural attributes of the region – both coastal and in the stunning inland forests.
“The RED Grants provide the opportunity to focus on community-led projects which will boost our regional economy, create jobs and add vibrancy to towns.
“By investing in a variety of regional initiatives, the McGowan Government is helping to grow Western Australia’s regional areas into thriving and sustainable communities.”
As stated by Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
“This McGowan Government investment will help to drive new opportunities for Mandurah businesses and create jobs for Mandurah people.
“Supporting water-based tourism operators gives us the opportunity to show off the Mandurah we know and love to the rest of the world.”
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
“Tourism and agriculture are both incredibly important to the economic growth of the Peel region, so I am glad that these industries have both been supported through this round of the RED grants.
“These grants will support local jobs and open up new growth opportunities for the recipients.
“I’m particularly pleased that funding has gone towards improving tourism in Dwellingup – it is a beautiful part of the region that is well placed to become a major tourism hub.”
Successful RED grants projects from the Peel region:
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Capogreco Farms | Cold storage and distribution facility | $210,000 |
| Forest Heritage Centre Inc | Jarrah Forest Lodge Preservation and Facility Upgrade | $135,000 |
| Mandurah Boat and Bike Hire | Tour Vessels – Purpose-built vessels to attract large overseas or national tour group operators to the region | $144,550 |
| ManukaLife Pty Ltd | Manuka Oil Plant Breeding and Trial Project | $120,450 |
| Mandurah Cruises | New boat enabling North Asian Tourism Growth in Mandurah | $100,000 |
| Cays Engineering | Cays Paint Yard – Development of a paint yard at Cays Engineering to enable business growth | $95,000 |
| Smartstream Technology Pty Ltd | Relocation of Smartstream Technology from Kewdale to 17 Cardup Siding Road, Cardup | $50,000 |
