Regional tourism and local jobs are front and centre of the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund, with regional Australia set to share in $200 million for local infrastructure and community-building projects.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals' Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development the Hon Michael McCormack MP said applications opened for Round 3 on Thursday.
“We have had fantastic outcomes over the first two funding rounds of the Building Better Regions Fund and I expect Round 3 to deliver more of the same with up to $45 million earmarked to increase tourism and—importantly—create even more local jobs.
“In previous rounds, projects have ranged from building new community-based aged care facilities, developing training programs to support young people in starting their own businesses, and improving freight access to airports, just to name a few.”
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said this was a great opportunity for regional communities to kick-off new tourism infrastructure projects.
“Tourism is a major industry for many regional areas, and this fund could give regional communities the helping hand they need to seize on local tourism opportunities,” Minister Birmingham said.
Minister McCormack said Round 3 would continue delivering projects across the Community Investments and Infrastructure Projects streams, including tourism-related infrastructure projects, to drive economic development, create jobs and create stronger partnerships across communities.
“I encourage all interested and eligible organisations to apply for infrastructure and community-based project funding, to ensure our regional and remote communities continue to thrive,” he said.
Applications will close on 15 November 2018.
For further information on eligibility and how to lodge an application, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/bbrf.