- Five Pilbara projects share in $628,281 of grant funding
- McGowan Government investing in tourism, training, and health in the region
Five Pilbara projects will share in $628,281 funding under round five of the McGowan Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) grants program.
The McGowan Government’s RED grants program is investing $45.8 million over eight years in local projects across WA’s regions, to drive economic development and support regional communities.
Successful projects in round five will diversify the tourism sector, and support training and community projects in the Pilbara.
Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd will receive $140,000 to assist with the continuation of an exciting redevelopment of the Mackerel Islands Resort, with the construction of a robust jetty and boardwalk, connecting the jetty to accommodation on Thevenard Island.
A $99,170 grant to Karratha-based Smart Counters Pty Ltd will allow the company to develop a Smart Sort prototype machine – an innovative, automated solution to sort and count drink containers for recycling.
The Shire of East Pilbara will receive $150,000 to develop a new mobile-based app for Martumili artists, which will link to the current Pilbara East tourism app using virtual and augmented reality.
A $72,651 grant will allow Hedland Eye Care to procure and install an MEI EasyFit Trend lens edger. This state-of-the-art technology offers a compact and efficient lens edging solution – enabling the manufacture of low-cost, single-vision prescription spectacles on the same day as an eye examination – and a new industry opportunity to the Pilbara.
Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation will receive $166,460 to re-establish and recommission the hotel, bar area, and core-staff accommodation at the historic and much-loved Whim Creek Hotel.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“We are committed to driving economic diversification in the Pilbara, and this latest round of innovative concepts will not only capture fresh business opportunities, but also provide employment pathways for local people throughout the region.
“Businesses and communities from right across the region benefit from these grants, which will help drive local enterprise development and growth, generating significant flow-on benefits.
“The RED grants program continues to enhance regional business opportunities and build stronger, more resilient, vital communities throughout Western Australia.”
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
“This latest round of the McGowan Government’s RED grants brings the total number of Pilbara projects to 38, with $3,725,120 in funding allocated between them.
“These projects are helping to diversify our Pilbara economy, building the sustainability of our communities.
“It is great to see emerging businesses from across the region supported through this program, driving diversified employment opportunities in the Pilbara.”
Successful round five RED grant recipients – Pilbara
| Grant Applicant | Project Description | Grant Amount |
| Shire of East Pilbara | VR Artwork and Mural Trails (Newman, East Pilbara) | $ 150,000 |
| Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation | Whim Creek Hotel Recommissioning (Whim Creek, Karratha) | $ 166,460 |
| Smart Counters Pty Ltd | Smart Counters Research and Development, Training and Promotion Project (Karratha) | $ 99,170 |
| Hedland Eye Care Pty Ltd | MEI EasyFit Trend lens edger (Port Hedland) | $ 72,651 |
| Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd | Mackerel Islands Resort Development – Stage2A Thevenard Island (Ashburton) | $ 140,000 |
