$250 MILLION TO BUILD A BETTER REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

The successful Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) will be re-established by a Dutton LNP Government to create jobs, drive economic development, and build stronger regional communities into the future.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said an LNP Government will restore the Building Better Regions Fund with a $250 million investment to start in 2025-26, to advance community initiatives, events, and infrastructure projects across regional Australia.

“The Albanese Labor Government axed the highly successful Build Better Regions Fund, stripping away the benefits of this program that drives regional economic growth and resilience in regional, rural, and remote communities,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There is very clear need for a program that supports community groups, service organisations and sporting clubs in Wide Bay after Labor axed more than $10 billion worth of regional programs on coming into office.

“Local Government and community groups desperately need support and assistance in investing in the community and economic infrastructure that is critical to building regional economic growth and resilience.”

Llew O’Brien worked to secure funding through the BBRF for numerous projects across Wide Bay, including:

• $2.5 million to redevelop the Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
• $2.5 million to build the Peregian Beach Community House
• More than $140,000 for new lighting at the Gympie Showgrounds
• $466,450 to upgrade the Kingfisher Jetty on K’gari Fraser Island
• $1.5 million for Murgon’s 55 Million Years Ago Museum and Art Gallery

Originally launched by the Coalition in 2017, the BBRF delivered nearly $1.4 billion to more than 1,200 projects, supporting new infrastructure, tourism, and community development initiatives across rural and regional Australia.

The final round was terminated by the Albanese Government against the advice of the Department, despite 815 applications having been received and assessed.

The new Building Better Regions Fund will be an ongoing open application program for two years, until available funds are exhausted.

Local governments and not-for-profit organisations will be eligible to apply for funding, with grants of between $25,000 to $200,000 available for community initiatives and $50,000 up to $10 million for community and economic infrastructure.

The new Building Better Regions Fund will be supported with an initial investment of $250 million over two years, while a Dutton Coalition Government legislates to establish the Regional Australia Future Fund.

One of the initial key priorities for this Fund identified following extensive community consultation includes building and upgrading economic and community infrastructure, facilities and services.

This commitment builds upon Coalition commitments to:

• establish the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund;
• $1 billion to re-establish the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, and
• $250 million to immediately boost Roads to Recovery funding to councils to $1 billion per year.