THE state government will give more than $5.6 million to multicultural community groups to maintain and upgrade facilities.

The announcement was made by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Tony Buti on Thursday, March 21.

The funding, allocated via the Community Capital Works Fund (CCWF), will be spread amongst 35 culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) community centres and facilities in metro and regional areas.

This includes two groups in Bennett Springs, $250,000 to the Sikh Gurdwara for a sewer and water project, and $182,990 to the Cracovia Club for a facility upgrade.

$162,508 is set aside for the Polish Sikorski Club to renovate its Bellevue premises, and in Wattle Grove the Abruzzo Molise sporting club has been awarded $210,800 for refurbishments of its club premises.

Mr Buti said CaLD groups and their facilities are often the heart and soul of the multicultural communities.

These facilities are run and operated by volunteer groups and provide culturally appropriate services, including for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Services can include family support, enterprise development and housing support, as well as programs for specific groups such as, people with disabilities, young people, seniors, LGBTQIA+ and women.

“Many of these buildings are more than 60 years old and require significant upgrades that are beyond the means of the volunteer and community associations that run them,” he said.

“Additionally, as the WA community grows, these ageing facilities have increasing and diverse demands which put additional stress on the communities they serve.

“The Cook Labor Government values multiculturalism as one of Western Australia’s greatest strengths and this funding demonstrates our commitment to ensuring CaLD communities continue to flourish and contribute to our unique social, economic and cultural fabric.”