BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND ROUND FIVE TO OPEN SOON, GUIDELINES RELEASED

The guidelines for Round Five of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) have been released and Riverina and Central West communities are being urged to apply when applications open.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is urging eligible local community groups to start developing their applications ahead of the opening date.

“The Australian Government is supporting regional communities across the nation with a particular focus in this round on regional tourism,” Mr McCormack said.

“This funding will create jobs and drive economic growth in our rural and remote communities at a time it is needed most.

“The Building Better Regions Fund has supported several infrastructure projects across the Riverina and Central West with more than $26 million being delivered through the first four rounds of the program, including such projects as renewal works for Wagga Wagga’s Botanic Gardens, the beautification Harden-Murumburrah’s Murrimboola Creek, upgrades to the main streets of Cowra, Forbes, Gundagai and Parkes, a new medical hub in Grenfell and upgrading the original Temora Aerodrome runway and associated main apron and taxiways.

“The Australian Government is here for our communities, we have the funding and we are ready to support them for as long as it takes through dedicated initiatives such as the BBRF.

“Throughout rural and regional Australia, we have $100 million of targeted support for tourism-related infrastructure to get regional tourism back on its feet, while maintaining $100 million for broader community infrastructure and investment.

The guidelines have now been released and can be found at www.business.gov.au/bbrf meaning local proponents can now start developing their applications. Applications open on 12 January 2021 and close on 5 March 2021. Successful applicants are expected to be announced in mid-2021.