Round Two of Building Better Regions Fund now open

8/11/2017

Round Two of Building Better Regions Fund now open

• Applications now open for funding under the Building Better Regions Fund Round Two
• Two streams available: Infrastructure Projects and Community Investments
• Applications close on 19 December 2017 

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has urged organisations to apply for Round Two of the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), with applications now open for funding to support further job creation and economic growth.
 
Mr O’Brien said the region had already benefitted from Round One, with $1.5 million delivered toward Gympie’s Upper Mary Street Precinct revitalisation, and a further $200,824 for six local projects in Kilkivan, Gympie, Noosa, and the South Burnett across the two streams.
 
“Round One’s community investment stream has supported events including the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride Festival, Gympie’s Rush Festival, business development events and a Floating Land exhibition in Noosa, and business innovation sessions in the South Burnett,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“The funding provided for the Upper Mary Street Precinct through the infrastructure stream will help ensure the Gympie community remains strong and vibrant for many decades to come, and I am delighted it will now be delivered.”
 
Mr O’Brien said projects like these would support local businesses and job creation, while also ensuring the needs of the community were met.
 
“Because the BBRF has two streams – Infrastructure Projects and Community Investments – Wide Bay organisations have even more flexibility in developing proposals to help their communities,” he said.  

“Fresh, creative ideas are often the starting point for successful applications, which have potential to make a real difference in the community. It is also important to clearly define the objectives and outcomes of the project to demonstrate how it will benefit Wide Bay.
 
“Submissions are closing on 19 December 2017 for both streams, so I encourage all eligible organisations to get their application in.”
 
Acting Minister for Regional Development Darren Chester said BBRF was designed to back projects that create further investment in the community.
 
“Applicants should demonstrate how their project will drive economic development, make their region a more attractive place to live and foster partnerships across their community,” Mr Chester said.
 
“Infrastructure investment, and planning and capability building are significant to improving outcomes in a community. A clearly articulated regional aged care strategy, for instance, can have as big an impact on residents as building a new aged care facility in a single town”.
 
“When combined, both streams will encourage job creation, economic growth, and encourage social cohesion across Australia”.
 
For more information on the Fund, or to submit an application, visit https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/building-better-regions-fund