The Regional Economic Development Grants (RED Grants) program is a $28.8 million (over five years) State Government initiative that invests in community-driven projects to stimulate economic growth and development in regional Western Australia.
It is part of the State Government’s $4 billion job-creating Royalties for Regions investment across regional WA.
Delivered locally by the State’s nine Regional Development Commissions, eligible applicants can apply for RED Grants funding with a target up to $100,000 for individual projects, although up to $250,000 may be considered for applications that address the objectives and criteria to a very high standard.
Funding is is available for individual projects that promote sustainable jobs, partnerships, productivity, skills and capability, as well as stimulate new investment and industry diversification.
The grants will boost investment in local regional projects that contribute to population and economic growth initiatives, local marketing and innovation pilots, and importantly, are driven by the community.
The objectives of the RED Grants Program include:
- Sustainable jobs
- Expanding or diversifying industry
- Developing skills or capabilities
- Attracting new investment in the region
- Maximising recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic impacts.
Applications for funding are currently closed.
- RED Grant Guidelines
- SmartyGrants online application form
- Online training videos to support applications (external site)
Applications are assessed on a competitive basis within the region, alignment with the Gascoyne’s regional priorities and/or demonstration of an economic diversification and employment growth outcome:
- Growing primary production
- Aboriginal economic development
- Tourism
- Workforce development
- Vibrant communities and innovation
To discuss your proposal or to be notified of future funding rounds for the RED Grants, contact Colby Elliott on 9949 2090 (Coral Bay and Exmouth).
To discuss the Local Content outcomes to be achieved with your project, contact Local Content Adviser Harriet Murphy on 9941 7000.
Ministerial announcements:
- Grants program driving regional economic development (10/05/18)
- Regional Economic Development Grants to stimulate local jobs (14/09/18)
- RED Grants to support Gascoyne projects (17/05/19)
- Round two RED Grants now open (11/07/19)
- $1.25 million for job-creating projects in the Gascoyne (14/11/19)
- Round three of RED Grants now open (12/05/20)
- Gascoyne RED Grants supporting business recovery (23/10/20)
Information on previous funding rounds
Round 1: Opened 14 September 2018 and closed 2 November 2018.
Congratulations to successful recipients who shared $361,904 in Round 1.
| Recipient | Project | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Whalebone Brewing Co Pty Ltd | Increased production, canning and distribution | $216,470 |
| Dirk Hartog Island Distilleries Pty Ltd | The Wirruwana Hub | $145,434 |
Round 2: Opened 11 July 2019 and closed 13 September 2019.
Congratulations to the successful recipients who shared $1,251,500 in Round 2.
| Recipient | Project | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Tidal Moon | The Tidal Moon Sea Cucumbers project is a collaboration with three Aboriginal communities, Mulgana (Shark Bay), Bayungu (Coral Bay / Exmouth) and Thalanyji (Onslow), aiming to develop a viable commercial sea cucumber business while maintaining cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.
|
$250,000 |
| Tasmanian Blue Water Oysters | The Exmouth Oysters project is a three-year oyster growing trial in the Bay of Rest near Learmonth, which aims to prove the viability of growing the naturally-occurring Saccostrea species of oysters in the Exmouth area.
|
$83,500 |
| Bullara Estates Pty Ltd | Bullara Station Stay aims to expand the station’s capacity to accommodate guests, including high-end glamping tents and new affordable powered camping and caravan sites, along with new amenities including a shearing shed hub.
|
$203,000 |
| Ngala Children’s Services | The Shark Bay Early Years Multi-Age Complex project involves the construction of a new day care complex primarily to operate Education and Care and other community programs focusing on children up to five years, located in the heart of Denham, next to Shark Bay School.
|
$150,000 |
| Harvest Road Oceans | The Massey Bay Oyster Farm project is a new pilot-scale oyster farm with a proposed location south of Carnarvon in Massey Bay. It will consist of four sites operating different commercial oyster farming systems to determine the most suitable systems and species for local conditions.
|
$125,000 |
| Danver Holdings Pty Ltd | Phase two of the development of Bumbak’s Preserves and Ice-creams, which involves fitting out the processing plant and upgrading the commercial kitchen with new equipment to increase production.
|
$75,000 |
| Mandalay Holiday Resort | The Denham Seaside Caravan Park Enhancement and Expansion project will increase capacity and quality of caravanning and camping experiences available in Denham and the greater Shark Bay area, with the additional powered caravan and camping sites, and an introduction of modern communal ablutions, games room and campers’ kitchen at the Denham Seaside Caravan Park.
|
$125,000 |
| Mount Augustus Tourist Park | The Mount Augustus Tourist Park Hub project will involve the construction of a building to house the Tourist Park reception, regional information displays, office and bookings area for tours and workshops, tavern, bar and function centre and shop.
|
$100,000 |
| Gascoyne in May Inc | The Gascoyne Travelling Arts project will implement the pre-production, planning and training stages of Gascoyne in May Travelling Arts Festival and contribute to the delivery of the program. | $140,000 |
Round 3: Opened 12 May 2020 and closed 7 July 2020.
Congratulations to the successful recipients who shared $836,954 in Round 3.
| Recipient | Project | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Dive Ningaloo | Catamaran refit – to expand its business to capture a share of the high-end diving tour market.
|
$200,000 |
| Abacus Fisheries | Cold chain capacity – procurement of specialised cold chain and processing equipment to develop a sustainable cut crab product and value add to other seafood.
|
$200,000 |
| Coral Coast Helicopter Services | Aircraft hangar – construction of an aircraft hangar and workshop and establish local maintenance and engineering service.
|
$170,000 |
| Miami Bay Holdings | Heritage Resort Shark Bay – room refurbishment to meet the growing demand for high-end accommodation in the region.
|
$90,000 |
| Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Exmouth Business Centre – complete fit-out of the proposed new centre to facilitate local enterprise development.
|
$80,000 |
| Aboriginal Biodiversity Conservation Foundation | Food for the Mob On Country Kitchen – purchase a custom-built food van to extend its mobile meal service and expand into event catering.
|
$39,204 |
| Shire of Exmouth | Booking platform – install a new program at the Exmouth Visitor Centre to generate efficiencies and increase local content.
|
$29,250 |
| Carnarvon Windfest | 2021 event – support for the two-day windsurfing, kiteboarding and Windrush yacht festival, including marketing and equipment.
|
$25,000 |
| Gascoyne Growers Market | Online market – establish a website to promote local growers and the diversity of products on offer. | $3,500 |
