Pilbara tourism, industry projects share in almost $700k funding

A suite of projects geared at driving tourism and developing new industry in the Pilbara have been awarded almost $700,000 funding in an inaugural set of State Government grants.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan visited Karratha today to announce eight Pilbara recipients of the Regional Economic Development Grants, a new funding program for community-driven projects aimed at stimulating economic growth and development in regional WA.

The successful organisations — which include start-ups, established businesses and local government —will share in a total of $690,455 funding.

Ms MacTiernan said the grants would kickstart further economic diversification in the region.

“The Pilbara is in a unique position to diversify its economic growth from the traditional mining and resources sector and develop into a recognised tourism destination in WA,” she said.

“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.”

The successful grant recipients are —

• North West Brewing Company Pty Ltd: $185,000 to establish the North West Brewing Company.
• Tabba Tabba Pty Ltd: $150,000 for a Pilbara Tours 4WD bus.
• City of Karratha: $100,000 for the Seven Mile Landfill Composting Trial.
• Cove Holiday Village: $60,000 for Point Samson Adventure Rentals.
• Marnda Advanced Coatings Pty Ltd : $50,000 for a feasibility study for the Marnda Galvanising Facility.
• Pilbara Solar Pty Ltd: $50,000 for the Building Solar Capacity for Remote Indigenous Communities project.
• Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation: $50,000 for Yindjibarndi Interactive Media Cultural Awareness Training.
• Association for Sustainability in Business Incorporated: $45,455 towards the Developing Northern Australia Conference 2019.

For more, see next week’s issue of the Pilbara News.