Western Australia’s Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced funding of $145,000 from the Pilbara Regional Grants Scheme to support the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation’s biodiesel manufacturing business.
Grylls said the biodiesel project represented an excellent opportunity for the local indigenous community.
“I am delighted that Royalties for Regions can support a project that will achieve such strong community and regional development outcomes,” he said.
“This project will result in ongoing employment for six indigenous Western Australians and provide industrial skills training that will assist others to move into employment in the mining sector.”
The project is designed to recycle potentially hazardous waste products into saleable biodiesel and would provide local indigenous communities with fuel for heavy machinery and power generation.
“The profits from this business will stay within the indigenous communities of the Pilbara, funding further social and economic development,” Grylls said.