Media Statements - $6.2m Pilbara Fund boost for projects in the north-west

27/10/05

Pilbara Minister Jon Ford has approved funding of more than $6.2million for 43 projects in the State’s North-West.

Mr Ford said round two grants from the Pilbara Fund would be a major boost to community groups and local shires across the region.

“For example the Royal Flying Doctor Service has been awarded $540,000 to help deliver primary health care to people living in remote areas where they are beyond the reach of mainstream services,” he said.

“The RFDS mobile unit will travel to pastoral stations, mine and drilling sites, tourist facilities and isolated settlements, responding to local needs."

Mining and Pastoral MLC Shelley Archer announced details of the grants in Newman.

Ms Archer said the money would be welcomed in a region experiencing a resources boom and the pressures that placed on community and government services.

“The Pilbara Fund is all about building community infrastructure, planning for growth and attracting and keeping skilled workers in the region,” she said.

Projects that will benefit people across the Pilbara include:

$120,000 to the Pilbara Regional Council to hire a consultant to deliver and implement an Asset Management plan to all four Pilbara shires;
$104,005 to Curtin University of Technology to improve educational opportunities and outcomes in Port Hedland and Newman;
$102,172 to Curtin University of Technology to develop and provide a bridging program for Pilbara school leavers who have been unable to achieve university entry;
$540,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to help deliver primary health care services to people living and working in isolated areas; and
$55,000 to Scitech Discovery Centre to develop and deliver science experiment kits for Pilbara schools.

Mr Ford said the Gallop Government was ensuring that regional people received their fair share.

Minister's office - 9425 4200