• Specific funding for investment-ready projects in regional, rural and remote Australia. • Funding will be available across two streams: infrastructure projects and community investments. • Information session scheduled in Traralgon on Thursday 19 January. Community groups and local councils are encouraged to apply for funding under the Building Better Regions Fund, which is available for community and infrastructure projects in Gippsland.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said applications would be assessed in three categories depending on the size of the project. This means small community projects won’t compete against large-scale projects worth tens of millions. “The Nationals as part of the Coalition Government want to invest in the infrastructure, events and initiatives that we are passionate about and that we know will make a difference to Gippsland,” Mr Chester said. “Our region has already been successful in securing funding for regional priorities. I have worked with my colleagues to secure federal funding for key projects such as the Latrobe Creative Arts precinct in Traralgon, Sale Cultural Hub, the Latrobe Valley University Training Clinic and Dental Prosthetics Laboratory in Churchill and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale. “But we are looking for local councils and not-for-profit groups to submit more projects that will make Gippsland an even better place to live.” Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the fund was dedicated purely as an investment in opportunities across rural, regional and remote Australia. “The Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) is designed to invest in projects that will create the kinds of regional communities that our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or come back to,” Minister Nash said. “The BBRF will give communities the opportunity to think outside the square and show us the types of investments they believe will strengthen their local community and create jobs. “Flexible, creative thinking can be a winning formula to receive funding, providing clear objectives are mapped out that show benefits for the region.” An information session will be held in Traralgon at Macfarlane Burnet Room, Latrobe City Council Service Centre, 34-38 Kay Street, Traralgon, between 11am-12.30pm on Thursday 19 January to allow applicants the opportunity to find out more about the Building Better Regions Fund. Applications will close on Tuesday 28 February 2017 for the Infrastructure Projects Stream and Friday 31 March 2017 for the Community Investments Stream. To register for an information session or to find out more, visit www.business.gov.au/bbrf.
