Disadvantaged learner drivers in the Goldfields-Esperance region will be the latest to receive support through the McGowan Government's Driving Access and Equity Program, with a $1.2 million grant round targeting the region opening today.
The grants are available to support projects that address local barriers preventing people from obtaining their driver's licence, including improving access to appropriately licensed vehicles, driving supervisors and instructors.
The Driving Access and Equity Program has received more than $10 million in Government support to deliver grants to the Kimberley and Pilbara, Mid-West and Gascoyne, and Goldfields-Esperance regions.
In February and March this year, 12 community-based organisations in the Kimberley and Pilbara shared in almost $3.5 million in funding from two grant rounds. Hundreds of local disadvantaged learner drivers are expected to obtain their licence by participating in one of the support projects funded by the grants.
Applications for the $1.2 million Mid-West and Gascoyne regions grant round closed last week, with the announcement of successful applicants expected at the end of this year.
Other initiatives supported by the program include driver instructor training for 34 people in the Kimberley and Pilbara, which has increased the number of driving instructors across these regions by more than 80 per cent.
Five additional Department of Transport Remote Services Officers have also been employed to deliver licensing services and driver education in the Kimberley and Pilbara, and recruitment is underway for a further three officers to deliver services throughout the State in response to demand.
Applications for the Goldfields-Esperance round of the Driving Access and Equity grants close on 7 November 2022. For more information or to apply, visit
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/daep
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Getting your driver's licence is a much more achievable goal when you have the support that many of us take for granted, including professional instruction, positive encouragement, and a safe and suitable vehicle in which to learn to drive.
"By rolling out the Driving Access and Equity Program grants to the Goldfields-Esperance region, we're making this kind of practical support more accessible for disadvantaged local people.
"The mining and agricultural industries are big employers in this region and a driver's licence is often a pre-requisite for work in these sectors.
"This grant round opening is the first step to helping more local people to get their driver's licence, which can be the key to secure employment and a better quality of life."
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"The Driving Access and Equity Program is already achieving great outcomes in other parts of the State and I am thrilled that it will now be rolling out in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
"For many of us, access to a driver's licence is something we take for granted - but for some in our community, it's not so simple and it can have a detrimental impact on quality of life.
"This program is particularly important in my electorate where so many employers in the resources industry are seeking employees with driver's licences.
"To organisations in the Goldfields-Esperance region - I encourage you to consider applying for these grants and play a role in helping disadvantaged community members access a driver's licence."
