Community Services Minister Simone McGurk today presented a $500,000 Lotterywest grant to the Shire of Meekatharra towards the development of a multipurpose hub that will improve community health, wellbeing and social connection.
The community hub on Meekatharra's Main Street will revitalise the vacant Lloyd's building, which was built in 1950, into a multipurpose plaza that co-locates services and facilities aimed at reducing vulnerability and disadvantage in the community.
The $500,000 Lotterywest grant will be used towards the fit out of a community resource centre, visitors centre, museum, conference room and training room.
Consultation has occurred with Wirnda Barna Art Centre in Mount Magnet and the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia in relation to ongoing promotion and connectivity. It is anticipated the project will create 26 jobs in the short term and up to 15 jobs in the longer term.
The plaza will also provide opportunities for a café, art gallery, hairdresser and space for two additional businesses.
The total cost of the project will be $2.6 million with an additional $500,000 being contributed by the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities - Building Better Regions Fund and the balance being met by the Shire.
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
"The new community hub will help revitalise the town centre and help build a strong community that is inclusive, meaningful and supportive of everyone.
"The Shire of Meekatharra has identified this project as a high priority and one which will bring a great deal of benefit to the community.
"The establishment of an Art Gallery in Meekatharra's town centre will also contribute towards extended cultural expression and increased cross cultural awareness."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn:
"This is very exciting news for Meekatharra to secure funding for the fit out of their new community hub.
"This is a great utilisation of an iconic building that will now be used to engage the community, providing empowering tools to grow and develop together.
"This project also creates 26 jobs in the short term and up to 15 in the long term, which may not seem like a big project to people from big cities but for Meekatharra this will create a hugely positive impact on the town.
"I congratulate the Shire on their advocacy on this issue."
