Western Australia Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan

More Than $900,000 For Goldfields-Esperance Economic Development

Victor P Taffa

• Goldfields-Esperance projects to receive more than $900,000 in Regional Economic Development (RED) grant funding
• Filling skills shortages and Aboriginal training a key focus
• McGowan Government investment driving new regional jobs

McGowan Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program will help to address Kalgoorlie’s labour shortage, support Aboriginal training and drive new tourism development opportunities in the Goldfields-Esperance region.

McGowan Government has allocated $23.9 Million over 4 years to the RED Grants program, administered by the 9 Regional Development Commissions, providing $922,662 to the Goldfields-Esperance region in the first round.

“Our Government is listening to the needs of the Goldfields-Esperance region, and our RED Grants are delivering real outcomes for local economic development. We’re helping to fill the labour shortages in Kalgoorlie, while driving new tourism opportunities in the region and supporting Aboriginal employment.” Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan said.

“RED Grants provide the opportunity to focus on community-led projects which will boost our regional economy and create local jobs.”

Goldfields Community Legal Centre will receive almost $250,000 for its Migrant Employment Project to address skilled worker gaps in Kalgoorlie-Boulder by tapping into the existing pool of migrant labour in Perth.

Investment follows extensive work with the State Government, through the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, on how best to utilise migrant labour to fill local skills shortages.

Carey Mining Pty Ltd will receive $166,980 for a study to define the education and training needs for the Goldfields resource sector to assist in the establishment of the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Academy will offer education and training programs for Aboriginal people seeking employment within the sector.

McGowan Government will invest $186,330 in the Shire of Laverton’s airport expansion project to help facilitate investment in the region.

Lucky Bay Brewing will receive $198,442 to support its relocation to a new site in Esperance, helping the business to expand, employ more local people and further support the local grains industry.

Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council will receive $120,950 to expand its services to the communities of Wingellina and Jameson, helping to create economic opportunity for Aboriginal women through increased industry engagement and employment.

Successful RED Grants projects for other regions will be announced in coming weeks.

RED Grants Successful Goldfields-Esperance Projects:

Applicant	Project	Funding
Carey Mining Pty Ltd	Context and Investigation Study – Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy	$166,980
Goldfields Community Legal Centre Inc.	Migrant Employment Program	$249,960
Shire of Laverton	Laverton Airport Expansion – Stage 1	$186,330
Lucky Bay Brewing	Establishment of a new and expanded production facility	$198,442
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjanjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council	Building the capacity of Tjanpi Desert Weavers for long-term sustainability in the Ngaanyatjarra region	$120,950