By Alana Mitchelson
KOOWEERUP and Lang Lang not-for-profit organisations and community groups will soon be able to apply for Federal Government funding under the $297 million Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
The funding will be available next year in two streams: infrastructure projects and community investments.
The Infrastructure Projects Stream will invest in projects that involve the construction of new infrastructure, or upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure, while the Community Investments Stream will invest in local events and activities, strategic regional plans and leadership and capability building activities.
The fund might help expand a local festival, attract a theatre production or major sporting event to the region to bring more visitors to the town, or it might involve leadership or business training for young locals.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the government was looking for “investment-ready” infrastructure projects and community activities which would have both an economic and social benefit for the local region.
“When the government invests in partnership with local communities, it builds confidence across the entire community,” he said.
“Facilities like the Kooweerup Hall have recently benefitted from a similar Federal Government grant, and I encourage all community groups to take up this opportunity for assistance.”
Unlike previous funds, projects in major capital cities will not be eligible under the Building Better Regions guidelines.
Projects will also be assessed against projects of similar size, so small community initiatives are not competing against larger scale projects.
The fund is reserved for rural, regional and remote communities that can show how their project will make their town a more attractive place to live or improve community connections.
The Building Better Regions Fund replaces the National Stronger Regions Fund which has now closed.
For more information, visit www.business.gov.au/bbrf
Applications open from Wednesday 18 January, 2017.
