The latest $200 million round of the Building Better Regions Fund will be wholly and soley dedicated to helping the communities hardest hit by the crippling drought.
Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster urged communities in the region to take advantage of the fund and get local infrastructure and community-building projects of all sizes off the ground.
“We are here for the communities across Mallee who are doing it tough in this drought. We will continue to support them not just during this drought, but always, through dedicated initiatives such as the BBRF,” Dr Webster said.
“This round is dedicated to unlocking the economic potential of rural, remote and regional Australia which has been drought affected and I encourage all eligible organisations with a project ready to commence, to apply for the fourth round of funding.
“Our region has already benefited from previous rounds of the BBRF with these projects, driving economic growth in Mallee and delivering lasting benefits to our local communities.”
These investments include:
- $17.5 million to the Mildura South Regional Sporting Complex to ensure stage 1 is built;
- $200,000 for the Accelerating Transition for Stronger Dairy Communities project, which aims to build resilience and capacity in areas of financial management, leadership, and farm business transition within the Gannawarra Shire.
- $735,000 for upgrades and improvements to the Wooroonook, Tchum and Watchem lakes in Buloke Shire
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the announced this as part of the Federal Government’s latest package of assistance to combat the drought.
“Communities across the country are suffering from the effects of this prolonged dry-spell and this extra funding will help get local projects and infrastructure work under way to strengthen regional economies, keep tradies in work and money generating through local stores,” Mr McCormack said.
“The BBRF is a central plank of our commitment to supporting stronger regions, supporting local jobs by investing in ‘shovel-ready’ projects across regional Australia that are doing it tough during this drought to ensure communities thrive and survive.
“Previous projects have ranged from building community-based aged care facilities, training programs to support young people in starting their own business and improving freight access to airports.
“The first three rounds of BBRF were highly competitive with more than 2,600 applications received and 832 projects funded, totalling just over $643 million.”
Applications open on 14 November 2019 and close on 19 December 2019.
Further information on eligibility and how to apply is available at www.business.gov.au/bbrf.