Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced $150,000 in State Government funding to kick-start a major redevelopment of one of the South-West’s premier eco tourism attractions.

In Bunbury today, the Minister said the funding would allow the award-winning Dolphin Discovery Centre to better cater for tourists in winter months through the creation of an exciting new interpretation hub.

“The Dolphin Discovery Centre is already extremely popular, with more than 60,000 people visiting the attraction each year to swim with and learn about the dolphins,” he said.

“The redevelopment will take the centre to the next level by transforming it into a year-round, family-friendly experience.

“Plans include the construction of a purpose-built theatrette offering animated underwater tours.

“This funding is a further commitment to the development of the centre and follows a $173,000 grant announced earlier this year.”

Mr Grylls praised the efforts of the staff and volunteers who have worked together to make the Dolphin Discovery Centre a success.

“The Dolphin Discovery Centre was established as a partnership between local community members and the South West Development Commission in the early 1990s,” he said.

“It has become a top tourism site and a centre for world-class research. Its awards include the 2007 WA Tourism Award for Best Regional Tourist Attraction.”

While in Bunbury, the Minister also met with recipients of the recently announced South West Regional Grants Scheme, an initiative of Royalties for Regions.

“It’s been fantastic to see the variety of projects that have received funding through the first South West Regional Grants Scheme,” Mr Grylls said.

“All up, 66 projects across the South West region shared in $3.5million.”

Recipients of the South West Regional Grants Scheme included:

• City of Bunbury - $45,000 towards digital public art for the Bunbury City Library
• Investing in Our Youth Inc - $5,000 towards a marketing plan
• South West Model Engineers Association (WA) Inc - $35,344 towards extensions to buildings for storage and workshop space
• South West Women’s Health & Information Centre Inc - $75,000 towards a wellness program for women
• Bunbury Regional Arts Management Board Inc - $24,200 towards South West Survey 2010
• Morrissey Homestead Inc - $132,067 towards expansion of Morrissey Day Centre
• Bunbury Rotary Club Inc - $30,000 towards a Men's Shed
• Boyanup Foundation Inc - $64,105 towards renovation of Boyanup Museum
• Capel Primary School P&C Association - $8,465 towards Capel Primary School bicycle enclosure
• Peppermint Grove Beach Community Association Inc - $9,250 towards Peppermint Grove Beach community playground
• Ferguson Valley Marketing & Promotions Inc - $44,300 towards Drive and Discover Ferguson Valley
• Shire of Dardanup - $17,050 towards additional courts at the Eaton Recreation Centre
• Dardanup Aeromodellers Society Inc - $19,825 towards development of a model flying site
• Eaton Boomers Football Club - $19,000 towards installation of lighting poles on Glen Huon Oval
• Agencies for South West Accommodation Inc - $22,590 towards a Men’s Emergency Accommodation Service
• Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Inc - $147,198 towards research into Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in the South West
• Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance Inc - $20,000 towards South West Medical Attraction Taskforce.

Minister's office  - 9213 7000