Regional grant program funds unique offering in state’s Mid West
Plant and equipment repairer JMH Group has gained Western Australia’s Mid West’s first heavy-vehicle brake testing pit at its Geraldton site.
Notably, the facility was backed by a $66,700 grant through the state’s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant program to help build local capability.
The Geraldton facility will see maintenance and servicing of heavy vehicles occur in the region, rather than taking place in Perth.
The equipment provides for brake testing, steering and suspension inspection and weighing vehicles in one drive through process, reducing down time and identifying faults before failure occurs.
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“Having more services available in regional areas is key to growing regional economies,” Geraldton member of the Legislative Assembly Lara Dalton said.
“For haulage businesses, large and small, this means less travel for assessments on their equipment and helps to build efficiency and productivity.
“Less time travelling to Perth means more time on the job.
“My thanks to Minister MacTiernan and the McGowan Government for the continuing RED Grants program, helping our regional businesses grow.”
The project has created five jobs over 12 months and facilitated the training and upskilling of employees, including apprentices, in the heavy automotive and mining industries.
“Investing in this facility boosts the competitiveness of the Mid West’s heavy-vehicle service sector and the sectors it supports, like agriculture and mining,” WA regional development minister Alannah MacTiernan said.
“It is diverting skilled jobs to Geraldton and building diversity in the local economy.
“It also encourages local heavy-vehicle operators to use a brake testing service regularly – a win for road safety.
“This project is an excellent example of our RED Grants driving regional business diversification, and creating more options for regional communities.”