Infrastructure projects that create jobs and new opportunities in Gippsland will benefit from a $200 million funding announcement by the Federal Government.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Federal Government had announced a further round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), which provided funding
for job-creating infrastructure projects outside the major capital cities.
“Under the first round of the BBRF, $725,000 was allocated to the Mallacoota community clubrooms project to build community meeting rooms with canteen, kitchen, toilets and shower facilities,” Mr Chester said.
“Gippsland Lakes Community Health received $500,000 towards expansion of its Bairnsdale premises in McCulloch Street, enabling it to employ another 55 staff to deliver medical and health services.”
Applications for round two of the BBRF are in the final stage of assessment.
Mr Chester said Gippsland had been successful in securing funding for a range of regional development projects, and encouraged community groups and shires to get a head start on the next round of infrastructure priorities.
“The local community has worked with all levels of government to secure 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 the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale,” Mr Chester said.
“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.
“The Nationals as part of the Coalition Government want to invest in regional communities and this fund is dedicated purely to investment opportunities across rural, regional and remote Australia. “
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said the BBRF was a direct investment in the economic and social infrastructure of regional communities.
“Following the success of round one of the BBRF, which created 26,000 jobs through over 250 projects nationally, and with round two BBRF projects currently under assessment, a third round of funding will deliver even more jobs and more economic growth in our regions,” Dr McVeigh said.
“Recognising the importance of the tourism sector to regional economies up to $45 million of this additional investment will be directed to tourism-related infrastructure projects.”
An announcement on the successful round two applications are expected towards the middle of this year. For more information, visit: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/building-better-regions-fund.
