BUILDING BETTER REGIONS BOOSTED IN BUDGET: McCORMACK
A VITAL regional infrastructure program which is delivering jobs and much-needed projects throughout the Riverina and Central West has been continued thanks to the recent Liberal and Nationals’ Budget.
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals’ Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, said another $200 million has been allocated in the 2018-19 Budget to deliver a third round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
“In round one of the BBRF I worked hard to deliver $3.5m for Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council’s proposed new sewage treatment plant at Gundagai, as well as $950,000 to help Weddin Shire Council build a medical centre at Grenfell and $210,000 to allow House with No Steps to move its Aussie Biscuits Factory at Forbes into a new premises in the town,” Mr McCormack said.
“These are much needed projects which are now being built and delivered, helping local communities and creating local jobs.
“I had the pleasure of turning the first sod for the much-needed Grenfell Medical Centre a few months ago and visited the Aussie Biscuits Factory just before its move, so I have seen first-hand the real benefits the Building Better Regions Fund, as many locals in those areas can see too.”
The minimum grant for Building Better Regions Fund projects is $20,000 and the maximum grant is $10 million.
“While these are exciting projects, I know there is still great potential in the region for further investment, so I encourage the community to consider projects which can help strengthen local economies and build capacity and productivity around the region,” Mr McCormack said.
“The fund is only for projects in regional Australia and I look forward to hearing more of the region’s ideas when applications are called later this year.”