Pilbara RED Round 3 grants backing local tourism, industry
Nov 13, 2020
Representatives of Pilbara Round 3 RED Grants projects with the Member for Pilbara and Minister for Regional Development in Karratha. Photo: Marg Bertling, Pilbara SITE Pics.
Representatives of Pilbara Round 3 RED Grant recipients pose with the Minister for Regional Development and Member for Pilbara in Port Hedland.
The Pilbara has been given a boost with the announcement of the latest round of Regional Economic Development (RED) grants to stimulate business growth and jobs in the region.
Ten recipients will share in a total of $797,544 from Round 3 of the RED grants program announced today.
The Onyx Group will receive a $100,000 grant towards establishing a marine tour and charter business to showcase the Dampier Archipelago and capture high-end tourism opportunities, creating four new jobs and at least seven part-time opportunities, including Aboriginal traineeships.
Karratha's EcoMag will receive $97,921 towards its project to process and rehabilitate hypersaline waste brines produced by Australian solar salt and potash operations, to produce ultra-high purity magnesium compounds for sale into international specialty chemicals and pharmaceutical markets.
A $96,581 grant to Karratha-based North West Recycling will allow the company to expand its service to Onslow, Roebourne and Pannawonica, generating employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal youth and people with disability.
A $50,000 grant to the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation in Port Hedland will enable a feasibility study and business case to be prepared on the commercial and technical viability of recycling end-of-life conveyor belts from the region's mining industry.
The latest announcement of funds is in addition to the $1.59 million approved for 18 projects in the Pilbara from the previous two rounds of RED grants.
The State Government recently committed an additional $5 million to extend the RED grant program for another year, with a total of $33.8 million to be disseminated to regional communities over the six-year period of 2018-19 to 2023-24.
Successful Round 3 RED grant projects for the Pilbara:
Applicant | Project | Funding |
Onyx Group (Karratha) | Archipelago Adventures - to establish a marine tour and charter business showcasing the bays and islands of the Dampier Archipelago and the surrounding coastline. | $100,000 |
EcoMag (Karratha) | Magnesium salt flowsheet development - to undertake laboratory and pilot test work and employ engineering services for the process plant design. | $97,921 |
North West Recycling (Karratha) | Mobile refund point - to expand the Karratha service to Onslow, Roebourne and Pannawonica and diversify into other recyclable goods. | $96,581 |
Reef Craft (Dampier Archipelago) | Reef Ark Dampier - to develop a coral farm and support reef restoration and rehabilitation of marine environments. | $93,034 |
Pilbara Tourism Association (Pilbara-wide) | Warlu Way Travel - to develop an interpretive app for the Warlu Way Trail tourist drive through the North-West. | $90,182 |
Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation (Roebourne) | Yirramagardu Crew - to re-establish the Roebourne employment agency to develop participants' skills and capabilities and overcome barriers to employment. | $62,826 |
Marlpa Waste Logistics (Karratha) | Community Cyclone Recovery - to expand an existing Aboriginal owned and managed business and provide green waste services to remote Aboriginal communities. | $57,000 |
Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation (Port Hedland) | Recycling mining conveyor belts - to undertake a feasibility study and business case for recycling end-of-life conveyer belts from the mining industry. | $50,000 |
Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce (Port Hedland) | WEB Business Hub Digital and Technology Skills - to deliver a six-month coding training program to encourage women into careers in technology. | $50,000 |
Ngurra Kujungka (Martu Communities) | Martu Recreation Officer and training program - to train and employ 10 part-time Martu recreation officers from Western Desert communities. | $100,000 |
Read the Minister's full statement here.