Six Kimberley businesses receive share in more than $500,000 in latest Regional Economic Development grants

Six Kimberley businesses have each received a share in more than half a million dollars in the latest round of Regional Economic Development grants to support upcoming projects and business expansion. Aboriginal‑owned Broome business Kimberley Manufacturing received $50,000 to develop a modular product catalogue which will allow customers to modify, visualise and price modular constructions. Managing director Brock Watling said the funding would help the business navigate a tough economic environment. “I think it’s hard enough in the Kimberley as it is, so giving these opportunities to small businesses is brilliant,” he said. The Kimberley Medical Group received $163,000 to establish the Rubibi Health Centre in Broome while Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community received $50,000 to expand its creative production into textiles, ceramics and photography. In the East Kimberley, Driftwood Tree Services received $46,000 to help upskill its employees. Managing director Luke McMullin said the grant would allow staff to complete a Certificate II in electrical supply industry powerline vegetation control. “What that means is that’s the control of vegetation adjacent to power assets, be it substations and transformers, but generally power lines,” he said. “It’s a huge expense that otherwise would have been worn by our business and that money can be distributed into other operational expenses so it’s really big for us to be a recipient.” Seed Producers Australia was awarded $183,000 to establish a modern seed processing facility in Kununurra while Mulan Aboriginal Corporation received $66,000 to develop a business plan for staged cultural centre and tourism developments at Mulan and Paruku. Regional Development and Kimberley Minister Stephen Dawson said the six projects highlighted the innovation and ambition across the Kimberley. “(The grants) are about ensuring that our regional communities can access funding to grow jobs and to create new businesses or expand existing businesses,” he said. Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna said she looks forward to seeing these projects deliver lasting benefits for communities right across the Kimberley. “It’s encouraging to see investment flowing into health, housing, agriculture, the arts and skills development, delivering practical outcomes that support jobs, economic resilience and community wellbeing across the region,” she said.