21/7/05Recreational boating enthusiasts in Western Australia will have access to improved boating facilities following the allocation of more than $800,000 in State Government funds.Announcing the latest round of Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) grants, Acting Planning and Infrastructure Minister John Bowler said 25 projects from Dampier in the North of the State to Eucla on the Southern Coast had secured funding as part of the 10th round of the Scheme.Mr Bowler said grants ranged from $2,310 for a fish cleaning facility at Cervantes in the Shire of Dandaragan, to $200,000 for the construction of a new boat launching facility at Carnarvon. “The scheme, administered by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, is implemented in partnership with local authorities,” he said.“In recognition of the growing popularity for boating throughout WA, funds are provided to agencies to assist in the provision of new boating infrastructure and for improvements to existing facilities.“The grants, made to local governments and other local authorities such as CALM, enhance leisure opportunities, tourism and boating safety.”The Acting Minister said recent improvements to the scheme had seen a number of grants allocated for work that was not previously eligible for assistance. Following a comprehensive review of the scheme last year, the funding guidelines for Round 10 of the scheme were expanded to include land-based facilities such as trailer parking, trailer manoeuvring hardstands and ablution blocks. The maximum grant available under the scheme was also increased from $250,000 to $300,000. “Increasing the maximum grant and widening the range of projects eligible for funding further increased demand for funding this year with a total of 38 applications received compared with 25 in the previous round,” Mr Bowler said. The Acting Minister said boating enthusiasts played a significant role in the provision and improvement of the facilities they used“The scheme is directly funded from boat registration fees paid to the department,” he said.“This funding round is further evidence of the Gallop Government ensuring that regional WA receives its fair share.”Since its introduction in 1998, the RBFS has seen nearly $3.7million allocated to 102 projects throughout WA (Rounds One to Nine).Grants are recommended by the RBFS Assessment Committee, comprising representatives from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, the WA Local Government Association, the WA Tourism Commission, State Boating Council (Recfishwest and Jet Sport West Boating Association), Swan River Trust and FESA, and are approved by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.Minister's office: 9213 6400 Click on PDF Icon to view table of Approved Projects
