The Community and Industry Engagement Program makes $690,000 available for projects underpinning the state’s waste priority areas.
The grants have been designed to support fund up to 50 per cent of waste management projects that help to divert waste from landfill. The first round of grants focuses on projects and events that align with the 2016-17 business plan priorities in the Western Australian Waste Strategy: Creating the right environment.
Industry, local governments, state government agencies, regional councils, peak bodies, research and educational institutes and community groups are all eligible to apply.
Community and Industry Engagement Program funding is offered through two streams: Stream A has a total budget of $600,000 to fund organisations undertaking projects that clearly demonstrate a contribution to the Waste Strategy’s objectives. With allocated funding of $90,000, Stream B will help support organisations in delivering events that develop more informed stakeholder networks and insights into particular waste sector communities.
Announcing the new funding on 10 November, Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the Community and Industry Engagement Program was aimed at supporting organisations which championed better waste behaviours and community awareness.
“This program is an opportunity to gain financial backing for projects that meet the Government’s waste management priority areas including planning, best practice, education, engagement and data measurement,” he said.
“This includes initiatives to improve the use of construction and demolition materials, assisting the transition to a Better Bins three bin kerbside collection system, and support waste planning within and between local governments.”
The program also encourages engagement between different groups to share waste expertise and experience across the community.
“The program is well placed to encourage innovative and focused projects and events with efficient targeting of funding,” the Minister said.
“Organisations may identify gaps in their areas of expertise and use this funding to tackle issues such as reducing waste generation, diverting waste from landfill, and community education.
The submission deadline for first round applications is 5.00pm on 8 December. Apply through the program website.
This announcement followed an earlier one from the WA Government in October making a further $2 million available under its Recycled Construction Products Program, which aims improve Western Australia’s use of recycled construction and demolition materials.
