Community groups in the Mining and Pastoral Region will be able to tap into $4 million in funding over 2016-17 for important environmental projects.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC said funding through the Natural Resource Management (NRM) grants program was available to groups including schools, not-for-profit organisations, local government and environmental action groups.
“This investment is supported by a $3.28 million injection from Royalties for Regions and will allow community groups to undertake vital natural resource management work in our regions,” Mr Grills said.
“Two grant rounds are open to community groups, with the Community Action Grants designed to support on-ground works and the Community Capability Grants (Small) to help build capacity, improve governance and foster innovation.”
Local community groups can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $55,000 as part of the 2016-17 Community Action Grant round totalling $4 million.
In addition, $100,000 is available in the 2016-17 Community Capability Grant round for small projects between $1,000 and $10,000 which can be implemented over the next 12 months.
Mr Grills said the rolling State NRM grants were assisting communities in their efforts to conserve and restore unique natural environments in regional Western Australia.
“I am consistently impressed by the natural resource management work carried about by dedicated community groups across the State, from the Kimberley to the Goldfields-Esperance region,” Mr Grills said.
“In addition to preserving natural values, such work can support key industries such as pastoralism, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism that are dependent on the condition and sustainability of our natural resources.”
Acting Regional Development Minister Mia Davies said she was pleased to see Royalties for Regions invest $3.28 million in these community grant rounds.
“The Community Action Grant in particular supports local decision-making, enabling communities to undertake on-ground works that are vital to their local area and encourage their continued involvement in the initiative,” Ms Davies said.
“Regional Western Australia is home to many of the State’s natural resources and it is important we invest in maintaining and enhancing our diverse assets for the benefit of all West Australians.”
The grants are part of a $24 million funding commitment over three years towards State Natural Resource Management, which includes a $19.2 million Royalties for Regions investment.
Online applications for the grants are now open at http://www.nrm.wa.gov.au
Applications for Community Action Grants close at noon on Monday September 5, 2016. Community Capability Grants (Small) projects close at noon on Monday May 29, 2017, but may close earlier if fully subscribed.
For media enquiries contact Dave Grills MLC on (08) 9071 500 or email dave.grills@mp.wa.gov.au
