Agritourism businesses and community groups in the South West, Great Southern, and Goldfields-Esperance regions have a new funding opportunity, with Southern Ports opening the latest round of its Community Investment Program. The scheme offers grants of up to $5,000 for grassroots community initiatives, representing an actionable funding source for operators looking to fund small-scale projects or community engagement activities.

Key Details of the Funding Program

The program has a history of supporting a diverse range of local projects, having provided over $1.5 million to community groups over the past five years. The current application round is open until 24 October, with eligibility details available on the Southern Ports website.

While the media statement highlights support for organisations like Foodbank WA and community gardens, the program’s scope is broad enough to potentially include agritourism-related projects that demonstrate community benefit. The stated goal of the program is to strengthen regional communities, a role that many farm-based tourism businesses actively fulfil.

Ports Minister Stephen Dawson commented on the program’s purpose.

“Supporting grassroots initiatives… to make their own meaningful contributions is precisely why the Southern Ports Community Investment Program exists,” he said.

Strategic Implications for Agritourism Businesses

For agritourism operators, this grant could provide seed funding for projects that enhance the visitor experience or deepen community ties. Examples could include developing a small on-farm interpretive trail, hosting a community open day, or launching a workshop series focused on local produce. The key for a successful application will be to clearly articulate the project’s benefit to the wider community, beyond the commercial interests of the business itself.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks reinforced this focus on community building.

“Our drive to create opportunities throughout our regions goes beyond facilitating trade, it is about strengthening our communities,” Mr Wilks said. “Our Community Investment Program is there to lend an extra hand.”

WAAA members located within the eligible port zones are encouraged to review the application criteria and consider how a small grant could support their business and community development goals.

Words by:

Andy Burns

Andy Burns is a driving force in the Western Australian tourism industry, currently serving as Vice-President of the WAAA. He’s the Founder of Scott Aussie Tourism Marketing, a South West WA-based agency specialising in helping tourism businesses thrive in the digital age. Scott Aussie offers a full range of marketing services, from strategic planning and branding to content creation, social media management, and AI-powered solutions. Andy’s deep understanding of the tourism landscape, combined with his expertise in destination marketing and community engagement, makes him a sought-after advisor, speaker, and trainer. He’s a regular presenter at industry conferences and workshops, sharing his insights on topics ranging from digital marketing strategy to the future of tourism. Andy is also a member of the Manjimup Tourist Bureau and a Councillor at the Shire of Manjimup. His previous leadership roles include six years on the board of Tourism Rockingham and five years as Chair of a Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attraction (DBCA) advisory committee.