Recycled water helping to fund community projects in the Kimberley
Community groups in Kununurra receive their share of Kimberley community grants from Water Minister Simone McGurk
- Grassroots organisations share in nearly $80,000 of Water Corporation grants
- More than $666,000 awarded to 118 worthy projects since 2016
- Projects funded by sale of Rhodes grass hay, grown using recycled water
Upgrades to a BMX track, repairs to an iconic outdoor cinema, and a new ice machine for a local football club are among 13 projects to share in nearly $80,000 under Water Corporation's 2024 Kimberley Community Grants Scheme.
Now in its ninth year, the scheme provides individual grants of up to $10,000 to not-for-profits and community groups for projects that make a positive contribution to life in the Kimberley.
Water Minister Simone McGurk joined Water Corporation staff and representatives from the Lions Club of Broome for presentation events in Broome and Kununurra this week.
Among this year's recipients was the Kununurra Picture Gardens, a community-owned, volunteer-run group that has screened monthly outdoor movies since 1946.
The group will use its $10,000 grant to fix a broken projector which hampered the end of its 2023 season.
Kimberley Action Sports will use its grant of nearly $8,000 to help upgrade the Kununurra BMX track to national standards, while a new ice machine will allow the Ord River Magpies Football Club to better treat injuries and keep players cool during games.
Other recipients included the Broome Town Band to expand its repertoire with licensing rights to more songs, the Wyndham Historical Society for a monument to the town's industrial heritage, and Broome's Native Animal Rescue for security lighting at a turtle rehabilitation facility.
The scheme is funded using proceeds from the sale of Rhodes grass hay, grown using recycled water from the Broome North Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Since 2016, more than $666,000 has been awarded to 118 not-for-profits and community organisations across the Kimberley.
For more information on the scheme, visit watercorporation.com.au/kcgrants.
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
"The Kimberley Community Grants Scheme is a fantastic initiative that for nearly a decade has helped fund worthy projects across the region.
"What's most unique is the way recycled water from homes and business in Broome is used to grow hay, with profits used by Water Corporation to give back to the community.
"It's an excellent example of a sustainable, circular economy and reflects the fact that wastewater is no longer something to be wasted."
Comments attributed to Divina D'Anna Kimberley MLA:
"Since 2016, Water Corporation has helped to fund 118 projects across the Kimberley, and it's fantastic to see support extended to another 13 community groups this year.
"As anyone from the region will attest, grassroots groups are part of fabric of life in our communities, and I look forward to seeing this year's projects take shape."
Water Corporation 2024 Kimberley Community Grants Scheme recipients
| Group and location | Grant | Initiative |
|---|---|---|
| Ord River Magpies Football Club Inc. | $3,000 | A new ice machine for hydration, treatment of injuries, and keeping food and beverage cold when travelling. |
| Kimberley Action Sports Inc. | $7,914 | Build the Kununurra BMX track to national standards and encourage youth engagement, connectedness, and physical wellbeing. |
| Kununurra Gymnastics Club | $4,500 | Host an accredited coaching clinic to advance the skill of current coaches and better support young people with different interests and abilities. |
| Society of Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals | $5,000 | Create a central nursery location for SKIPA members to gather, connect, and achieve their social and environmental aims. |
| Broome Performing Arts Co. Inc. | $6,000 | Upgrade the studio facilities to better serve the community as a functional space for health, fitness, and wellbeing. |
| Broome Town Band | $1,754.50 | Purchase song licences to increase the band's repertoire and enable performance at a wider range of community events. |
| Kununurra Picture Gardens Inc. | $10,000 | Repair the movie projector light for a long-running and popular community outdoor cinema, preserving its heritage and fostering community connection. |
| Kununurra Campdraft and Rodeo Association | $5,000 | Support the repair and upgrade of the main water lines and tank upgrade in the livestock yards, reducing leaks and water wastage. |
| Wyndham Historical Society Inc. | $8,000 | Install the 'Big Wheel' - honouring Wyndham's industrial history and supporting engagement with employment agencies and corrective services. |
| Native Animal Rescue Inc. - Broome (NARB) | $10,000 | Lighting and security for the environmentally sustainable turtle rehabilitation facility, allowing better protection and offsite monitoring of the site. |
| Kununurra Water Ski Club | $4,950 | Upgrading the ageing club facility to safely run events and gatherings for the entire Kununurra community. |
| Kununurra Motocross Club | $5,000 |
Repair and upgrade the current sprinkler system for better environmental outcomes and safety for riders. |
| Ord Valley Events | $10,000 |
FEASTival: Taste of the Kimberley - an event to celebrate the breadth and diversity of Kimberley produce and agriculture through a series of food experiences. |
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Water Minister Simone McGurk presents Water Corporation grants to community project representatives in Broome