The specific funding is for investment ready projects in regional, rural and remote Australia.

Community groups and local governments are encouraged to submit their applications for round one of the Building Better Regions Fund, which will support community and infrastructure projects outside of the major capital cities.

Federal Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker said the fund is dedicated purely as an investment in opportunities across rural, regional and remote Australia. 

“The Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) is designed to invest in projects that will create the kinds of regional communities that our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or come back to,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“The BBRF will give communities the opportunity to think outside the square and show us the types of investments they believe will strengthen their local community and create jobs.

“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.

“Applications will be assessed in three categories depending on the size of the project – so small community projects are not competing against huge projects worth tens of millions.”

“Flexible, creative thinking can be a winning formula to receive funding, as long as the proposal also provides clear objectives and maps out benefits for the region.

The Program Guidelines for the Building Better Regions Fund outline the type of project proposals sought, how to lodge an application, how assessments will be conducted, and critical program dates.

Information sessions are running across the country to allow applicants the opportunity to find out more about the fund. 

Applications will close on Tuesday February 28, 2017 for the Infrastructure Projects Stream and Friday March 31, 2017 for the Community Investments Stream.

To lodge an application or find out about an information session near you, visit www.business.gov.au/bbrf