West Kimberley Community Grants Scheme now open

Water Corporation and the Lions Club Broome want to hear from not-for-profit groups and schools in the West Kimberley who have a great idea for a community project.

The second round of applications for the West Kimberley Community Grants Scheme is now open and grants of up to $10,000 are available to fund grassroots projects to benefit the community. 

Water Corporation Regional Manager North West Rino Trolio, said he looked forward to helping more groups in the West Kimberley turn their ideas into reality. 

“Last year Water Corporation donated over $30,000 to a number of community-led projects to support health, culture, education and the environment,” Mr Trolio said.

“The West Kimberley region is home to many passionate and innovative groups and we look forward to continuing to work with Lions Club Broome to administer the scheme.”

Mr Trolio said funding for the grants scheme is generated through the sale of Rhodes grass hay, which is produced as part of the environmental-friendly disposal of Broome’s recycled water.

“Water Corporation irrigates the Rhodes grass using treated recycled water from the wastewater plant, and in turn we use the funds raised by selling the hay to help our local community.”

The total value of each round of funding depends on the amount of hay Water Corporation produces at each harvest.

The second round of funding for the grants scheme will stay open until 12 May 2017, and applications can be lodged via the Water Corporation’s website: www.watercorporation.com.au/wkcgrants

• Water Corporation uses recycled water from the Broome North Wastewater Treatment Plant to irrigate Rhodes grass, which is harvested every 6- 8 weeks and sold to local farmers.

   

• Irrigation of the Rhodes grass is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of recycled water and is the preferred crop recommended by environmental experts due to its high nutrient uptake.