Community Grants Scheme expands out to entire Kimberley region

After three years and distributing more than $110,000 to community groups in the West Kimberley, Water Corporation has expanded its community grants scheme to reach across the entire Kimberley region.

Water Corporation North West Regional Manager Rino Trolio said he was excited to see the scheme expand out to the East Kimberley and renamed as the Kimberley Community Grants Scheme.

"The interest from the community has steadily grown since the scheme started three years ago, and Water Corporation, in partnership with the Lions Club of Broome, are now inviting community groups across the entire Kimberley region to apply when the next funding round opens in March,” Mr Trolio said.

Funds for the grants scheme are raised from the harvest and sale of Rhodes Grass Hay, used by local farmers as sustainable fodder for livestock. The hay is grown with the help of recycled water produced by Water Corporation's Broome North Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Mr Trolio said the benefits were two-fold.

“Irrigating the crops with recycled water is an environmentally friendly way of disposing of Broome’s treated wastewater, and the community benefits from funding for local projects and events,” Mr Trolio said.

Not-for-profit groups and schools are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $10,000 when the next round opens on 1 March 2019.

"The grants have already benefited local communities including One Arm Point, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Broome, and we are now looking forward to expanding this support out to the East Kimberley.”

More information, including how to apply, can be found on Water Corporation’s website: www.watercorporation.com.au/kcgrants