Fresh look possible for regional towns

WA State Government Royalties for Regions funds will provide a fresh look for regional towns across the Great Southern, with a $1million grant program to enhance town centres with better landscaping, roads, paths, gardens, lighting and signs.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced the new Great Southern Town Centre Enhancement Program (GSTCEP), an initiative of the Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC).

The program offers up to 50 per cent of design costs to a maximum grant of $30,000 and/or up to 50 per cent of the cost of on-site works to a maximum grant of $150,000.

Mr Grylls said the enhancement program was an exciting new opportunity for local government to complement existing projects to build communities in the region.

“The program will help Great Southern local governments present a new face to visitors and bolster local pride,” he said.

“Programs run through the GSDC are already bringing new life to towns in the region, for example the park and tourist railway projects in Kojonup, or the Hidden Treasures program that helps small rural communities attract visitors.”

Agricultural Region MLC Mia Davies said the new initiative would complement the wide range of work under way to build a stronger Great Southern.

Ms Davies encouraged local governments to present their plans to revitalise town centres under the program which she said would enable regional communities to become safer and more attractive places to live, visit and invest.

Applications for GSTCEP funding must be submitted to the GSDC by 4.30pm on Friday, March 4.

Eligible projects should fit within the framework of a council-endorsed strategic plan and be achievable by June 30, 2012.