The release of guidelines for the first round of the Australian Government’s $600 million Growing Regions Program, has been welcomed by RDA Orana Chair, Brad Cam.
Mr Cam said the program provided grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and not-for-profit organisations, through an open, competitive and merit-based process.
“The program funding aims to deliver community and economic benefits by investing in community-focused infrastructure which revitalises regions and enhances amenity and liveability throughout regional Australia,” he said.
“I encourage eligible organisations in the RDA Orana region to review the guidelines and start preparing an expression of interest.”
Mr Cam said the funding would provide new opportunities for regional local councils and not-for-profit organisations to deliver infrastructure that contributes to local and regional priorities.
“The grants can be used to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, with lower co-funding requirements in place to support First Nations, disaster-affected and remote applicants to make their projects a reality,” he said.
The program will invest across regional and rural Australia through two $300 million funding rounds – with a second round to follow Round 1.
The first stage of the Round 1 application process is an expression of interest, which will open on 5 July 2023.
Further information on the program, including the Round 1 guidelines, please click here.