Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has today told Parliament that there has been an excellent response to the Regional Grants Scheme.

The $40million Regional Grants Scheme under the Royalties for Regions program closed on Wednesday, March 25 and each of the nine Regional Development Commissions was allocated $3.5million in a contestable program and $900,000 to directly fund projects in their regions.

The response to the grants scheme was overwhelming with the development commission’s receiving 836 applications.

“The grants scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to regionally based organisations such as volunteers and business groups, educational institutions, philanthropic foundations and community organisations,” Mr Grylls said

“The regional scheme was designed to fund projects that help attract investment and increase jobs or improve the quality of life in regional Western Australia.

“Given the response we have had, I am encouraged to see so many diverse groups applying for funding.”

The total number of applications received by each Regional Development Commission was:

•        Gascoyne - 43

•        Peel - 73

•        Great Southern - 86

•        Goldfields-Esperance - 82

•        Pilbara - 72

•        Mid-West - 93

•        Wheatbelt - 83

•        Kimberley - 113

•        South West - 191

The total value of grant funding requested from the Regional Grants Scheme was $179,708,751.70.

The total value of grant funding requested of each Regional Development Commission was:

•        Gascoyne - $10,197,369.25

•        Peel - $11,776,676

•        Great Southern - $15,959,110

•        Goldfields-Esperance - $14,100,000

•        Pilbara - $10,797,389.30

•        Mid-West - $15,569,195

•        Wheatbelt - $20,710,993.86

•        Kimberley - $22,427,221.29

•        South West - $58,170,797

The Minister said the total value of the projects seeking grant funding was just over $688million.

“This represents a significant investment in regional WA,” he said.

“The Regional Development Commissions now have the task of administering the grants scheme and to sort the applications into headworks, infrastructure and services categories. The next step is the assessment and then approvals process.

“The commission boards will meet over the next two months to make their recommendations and it is expected that successful applicants will be notified in June.”