FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE FOR INITIATIVES TO REVITALISE CHINATOWN

Written on the 18 May 2017

A new grants scheme will make available more than $400,000 in funding for business and community initiatives that will boost Broome's Chinatown in the latest stage of the Chinatown Revitalisation Project.

The first round of funding is now open with $207,500 available for projects which aim to activate and enhance Chinatown's public and private spaces. 

A further $202,500 will be available in a second round to open in 2018, bringing the total grant funding pool to $410,000.

Broome Shire President, Ron Johnston, said the first round of grants was divided across two streams of Laneway Enhancement and Chinatown Activation Initiatives, and offered a maximum amount of $20,000 per successful applicant for matched funding, requiring dollar-for-dollar investment by the applicant.

"Now is the time to invest in Chinatown - with such significant support offered to private and community enterprise, anyone who has an idea for a business or community project in town should consider this as a possible launch pad," Cr Johnston said.

"These grants are crucial to leveraging the $12.7million government investment and encouraging the community to become actively involved in the Revitalisation

"The dollar-for-dollar grants could see the total investment rise to $820,000 which would contribute to significant improvements to Chinatown."

An information session will be held on Wednesday 24 May for interested owners, traders, stakeholders and anyone with an activation idea or interested in applying for grant funding. Please contact Jeremy Macmath at jeremy.macmath@broome.wa.gov.au or (08) 9191 3456 for more information.

ABOUT THE GRANTS

Stream One of the grants is for Laneway Enhancement with Round One now open and closing 30 June for projects which will be implemented by 31 December 2017.  Sub categories of the Laneway Enhancement grants include:

• Infrastructure: improvements or amendments to buildings or laneway access to encourage laneway activation and streetscape enhancement.
• Place Making:  small scale and short term, offering events or social activation opportunities that may include laneway artwork, furniture, cultural events, signage.
• Business Development: existing businesses to develop marketing, shop window displays and alfresco dining opportunities within laneways.

The total grant amount for Stream One Round One is $127,500.  Round Two of the Laneway Enhancement grants will open 8 January 2018.

Stream Two of the grants are for Chinatown Activation Initiatives with Round One now open, closing 30 June for projects which will be implemented by 31 December 2017.  Sub categories of the Chinatown Activation Initiative grants include:

• Infrastructure: small project works that are privately owned and run by Chinatown owners and traders on private land but for public benefit.
• Events: community-run events.
• Tours: development of tourism and interpretation content.
• Small scale: pop ups and small scale initiatives.
• Large scale: input toward visionary projects and developments.

The total grant amount for Stream Two Round One is $80,000.  Round two of the Chinatown Activation Initiative grants will open 8 January 2018.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORMS HERE