Premier hands out Lotterywest grants

Premier Colin Barnett made the most of his visit to Broome this month when he handed out more than half a million dollars in Lotterywest grants.

A new community storage facility that would initially be used by six not-for-profit organisations behind Broome Lotteries House received $250,000.

Mr Barnett said the grant to the Shire of Broome towards the purchase and construction of the shed would give local groups access to affordable and secure storage space.

Theatre Kimberley, Rotary International and Shinju Matsuri would be among the first groups to make use of the new facility.

Construction is set to be complete within the financial year.

The new storage shed will include seven separate spaces fitted with flexible shelving and hanging and would be independently secured and accessible 24 hours a day.

The council also plans to construct a hardstand next to the shed to make it easier for users to load and unload equipment to be stored.

The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services was given $144,679 to purchase two new vehicles as part of its maternal health strategy to de delivered with WA Country Health.

The four-wheel-drives will be used by child health workers and midwives to roll-out the three-year program across the region.

Mr Barnett said the vehicles were vital to ensure the program was able to reach as many mothers and infants as possible, regardless of their geographical location.

“The Kimberley covers an area more than 400,000 square kilometres, and with many of its population located in remote parts, it can be challenging for the nurses to travel to all areas safely,” he said.

The maternal health program will address the issue of micro-nutrient malnutrition and iron deficiency anaemia.

These issues are associated with severe medical and developmental problems and affect about 50 per cent of mothers and 60 per cent of breastfed young infants in Aboriginal communities.

The Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation received $116,000 to buy two vehicles to support an irrigation trial near Derby.

The joint research partnership between the State Government the MAC will investigate intensive grazing methods on Mowanjum Pastoral Station.

Mr Barnett said the purchase of the vehicles would help delivery of the project and provide increased participation in the pilot by members of the community.

“These vehicles will support the delivery of this important project by providing transportation to the station for community members who are involved,” he said.

Until now access to vehicles has been limited in the remote Aboriginal community.

Mr Barnett said the acquisition of two dedicated vehicles will allow the project to operate more efficiently by ensuring transportation for people and equipment is available at all times.