The 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.
The McGowan Government has allocated $23.9 million over four years to the RED Grants program, administered by the nine Regional Development Commissions, providing $922,662 to the Goldfields-Esperance region in the first round.
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.
The 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.
The academy will offer education and training programs for Aboriginal people seeking employment within the sector.
The 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.
The 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.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“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.
“The RED Grants provide the opportunity to focus on community-led projects which will boost our regional economy and create local jobs.
“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.”
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 |
