• Two weeks to go for Initial Applications, with $10 million or more on offer for successful applicants

• $272 million investment opportunity to boost regional communities

• Focused on major projects valued at more than $20 million, supporting long-term economic growth and job creation in regional Australia

Applicants are being encouraged to finalise initial applications under the Coalition Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said he was aware several local councils were planning to submit funding proposals.

Mr Taylor said the $272 million Regional Growth Fund would support major projects that delivered long-term economic benefits for the region.

“This is an opportunity to ‘think big’ on new or expanded projects,” Mr Taylor said.

“The Government is willing to offer 50 percent of project funding, a minimum of $10 million toward each successful infrastructure project.”

Projects will be assessed in two stages. The first stage will not require applicants to commit significant resources to the proposal. The second stage will require successful applicants to submit a Full Business Case.

Mr Taylor said the Regional Growth Fund was focused on creating more regional jobs.

“In the last year 420,700 jobs have been created – that’s an average of 1100 new jobs a day.

“Hume has one of the lowest unemployment rates across Australia. I look forward to working with local organisations to deliver more jobs and more opportunities through this Fund.”

The deadline for Initial Applications is 27 April 2018. For more information on the program, including the application process, visit www.grants.gov.au