Premier and Minister Visit Albany Regional Development Successes
Albany recently hosted Premier Roger Cook and the Hon. Don Punch MLA, Minister for Regional Development. Among other things, the visit showcased the significant impact of the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program on local projects and businesses.
Premier Cook, Minister Punch and Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens with Dune Brewery owners.
During their visit, Premier Cook and Minister Punch toured several key sites, including the Albany Health Campus, South Regional TAFE, Albany Community Care and Harvest Road’s Leeuwin Coast oyster farm. They also visited former RED Grant recipients, The Village Childcare and Dune Brewery, to see firsthand the positive outcomes of the program.
Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens, Premier Cook and Minister Punch at Southern Regional TAFE.
The Village Childcare, a previous RED Grant recipient recently opened and is already supporting many Albany families.
GSDC A/CEO Jarrad Gardner and Minister Punch Tour The Village Childcare with Director Preity Dhaliwal
At Dune Brewery, Premier Cook and Minister Punch toured the soon to be completed family-friendly microbrewery. Supported by a $150,000 RED Grant, Dune Brewery is set to enhance Albany’s tourism and hospitality offerings with its new restaurant, play area, and menu featuring local food, wine, and craft beers. In addition the project is expected to create new employment and training opportunities for the community.
Premier Roger Cook emphasised the importance of supporting local ventures, saying, “Providing funding for new regional ventures like Dune Brewery shows my Government’s commitment to backing local businesses and creating sustainable jobs in our regions”.
Minister Don Punch added, “The RED Grants program supports local projects that deliver real economic impact and create more jobs throughout Western Australia. In the Great Southern alone, the program has provided more than $4 million to 42 projects across the region”.
The visit by Premier Cook and Minister Punch underscores the government’s dedication to regional development and the success of the RED Grants program in fostering economic growth and community development in Albany and beyond.
