Hope Springs Community Farm – Left to Right: Lucy, Hon Paul Brown MLC, Lesley Evans and Larry Williamson

The highly anticipated re-introduction of the Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme (RGS) has committed $ 351,963 towards community projects in Geraldton.

A total of 86 successful applicants were announced by Regional Development Minister Terry Redman today, totalling a Royalties for Regions investment package of $9.024 million.

Local Member Hon Paul Brown MLC said the latest round of successful applicants took the total number of projects funded through the scheme to 762 since it first started in 2008-09.

“This Royalties for Regions scheme offers grants from $20,001 up to $300,000 for projects that seek to improve economic and community infrastructure and services in regional WA,” he said.

“I’m very pleased that three Geraldton projects have attracted funding in the latest RGS round for such an exciting and diverse range of projects.

“These will help attract investment, increase job opportunities and improve the quality of life and work in Geraldton communities.”

Successful projects in Geraldton include:

Chrysalis Support Services Upgrade to Crisis Accommodation Service
Hope Community Services Mount Hill Community Farm Kitchen Project
City of Greater Geraldton Mid West China Connect Website

Royalties for Regions has invested almost $100 million through the RGS. Funding is administered by individual Regional Development Commissions.

Chrysalis – Hon Paul Brown MLC and Alison Adam, CEO Chrysalis Support Services

Hon Paul Brown MLC congratulated successful applicants in Geraldton and thanked the Mid West Development Commission board for its guidance in recommending projects suitable for funding.

In 2014-15 a new Royalties for Regions grants program – the Community Chest Fund - was established alongside the RGS to allocate one-off grants of up to $20,000 to support small, locally-driven community projects.

For a full list of successful 2014-15 RGS applicants visit the Department of Regional Development website