Assisting small businesses to grow and boosting tourism experiences in the Wheatbelt region is the focus for projects funded through the McGowan Government's Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The State Government has allocated $23.9 million over four years to the RED grants program, administered by the nine Regional Development Commissions, providing $688,990 to the Wheatbelt region in the first round.
Avon Valley Beef will receive $190,000 in funding to install a new automated lamb supply chain at its Northam abattoir, to triple lamb processing and enable both sheep and cattle to be processed at the same time.
Lamb and sheep processing is estimated to increase from 600 head per day to a maximum of 3,600 head per day, creating opportunities for producers to increase supply and provide more locally processed sheepmeat products to markets. The abattoir expansion will provide an estimated 30 new jobs in Northam.
The Gravity Discovery Centre Foundation Inc will use a $190,000 grant to build accommodation at the Gravity Discovery Centre to provide visitors to the observatory with an experience linked to Aboriginal culture.
The Wheatbelt Business Network will receive $60,000 to deliver a training program to help existing small businesses grow and diversify and to assist in the start-up of new businesses, leading to jobs growth and industry expansion in the Wheatbelt.
Eight Wheatbelt projects will receive RED grants, set to create a number of new job opportunities in the region.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The Wheatbelt is the largest agricultural producing region in the State, and our Government is backing stronger growth in the sector to drive new jobs.
"Supporting the Gravity Discovery Centre's accommodation project will create a new tourist experience in the Wheatbelt, bringing more visitors into the region for a longer stay.
"By investing in a variety of regional initiatives, the State Government is helping to grow Western Australia's regional areas into thriving and sustainable communities."
Successful RED grants projects for the Wheatbelt region:
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Avon Valley Beef | AVB - Lamb Value Add Chain | $190,000 |
| Gravity Discovery Centre Foundation | Yokalaring, Mia Accommodation | $190,000 |
| Shire of Koorda | Lead Consultant Project Coordinator - Wheatbelt Secondary Freight | $100,000 |
| Wheatbelt Business Network | Supporting the Wheatbelt Innovation Ecosystem (Innovation Gardening Program) | $60,000 |
| Murdoch University | Skills development in regional WA through the FIRST Robotic Competition | $53,000 |
| Misty Ridge Plant Farm | Inland Desalination for Sustainable Water Resource | $42,990 |
| Regional Development Australia Wheatbelt Inc |
Online booking, sales and database platform for Noongar enterprises | $28,000 |
| Northern Valleys Locavore |
Northam Valleys Locavore Store Online Platform | $25,000 |
