The Federal Government has released the guidelines for a new regions fund, which will direct funding specifically to rural, regional and remote local government areas.

The Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) replaces the National Stronger Regions Fund.  

Speaking at Victoria’s Rural Press Club, Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said there would be key differences between the BBRF and previous funds, most notably the exclusion of projects in major capital cities.  

“Projects in major capital cities will not be eligible under the Building Better Regions guidelines. This is a fund for rural, regional and remote communities,” Nash said.

The BBRF will see $297.7 million invested over four years. Grants are available through two funding streams: Infrastructure Projects and Community Investments. The Infrastructure Projects stream will support projects involving the construction of new infrastructure or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure.

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.

“I realise regional Australia is made of more than bricks, mortar, roads and bridges. The Community Investments Stream might help expand a local festival, attract a theatre production or major sporting event to the region to bring more visitors to the town, or it might be leadership or business training for young locals,” Nash said.

“A new social benefit criteria will allow applicants to show how their project will make their region a more attractive place to live, or improve community connections for example, rather than being encouraged to list as many local ills as possible.

“Projects in remote and very remote areas will receive a loading on their project score, and also will not need to produce 1:1 matching funding. The Government will provide up to 75% of the investment for remote and very remote projects.

“Also, projects will now be assessed against projects of similar size, so small community projects are not competing against huge projects worth tens of millions, for example.”

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’s AusIndustry Business Grants Hub is responsible for administering the program on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (this includes grant application, enquiries and project management activities).

Applications open 18 January 2017, and close 28 February 2017 (Infrastructure Projects Stream) and 31 March 2017 (Community Investments Stream).

Guidelines, the application form, contact details for enquiries and other programme information are available here.