Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor is encouraging community groups and local councils to apply for funding under Round One of the Building Better Regions Fund, which is available for community and infrastructure projects.

“The Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) is a fantastic investment in opportunities across our regional areas and this includes much of Hume,” Mr Taylor said.

“I am encouraging councils and eligible community groups - especially those in the Boorowa, Upper Lachlan, Goulburn Mulwaree, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly areas - to apply so we can help invest in projects that will create the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or return to.

“The Fund 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.

“Flexible, creative thinking can be a winning formula to receive funding, provided clear objectives are mapped out that show benefits for the region.”

Applications, which are being accepted from today (18 January 2017), 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.

“We want to invest in local infrastructure, events and initiatives that we are passionate about and that we know will make a difference to our region,” Mr Taylor said.

“Hume has already been successful in securing funding for regional priorities (under the National Stronger Regions Fund), with the Coalition investing in projects such as the Goulburn Mulwaree Wastewater Treatment Plant, Goulburn Performing Arts Centre and Moss Vale Enterprise Corridor.”

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

To find out more visit www.business.gov.au/bbrf or contact Mr Taylor’s Goulburn or Camden offices on Freecall 1300 301 826, or email angus.taylor.mp@aph.gov.au.

Key Points: The $297.7 million Building Better Regions Fund supports the Australian Government’s commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.

The program will fund projects in regional Australia outside the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra.

There are two streams of funding available under the program:

• The Infrastructure Projects Stream will support projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.
• The Community Investments Stream will fund community building activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, and leadership and capability building activities. These projects will deliver economic and social benefits to regional and remote communities.

Are you ready to apply for BBRF?