RCA’s advocacy on guideline development for the regional grants has paid off with the government adopting of the majority of RCA’s recommendations.
The guidelines for the Growing Regions Fund and the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program include the following new initiatives that aligns with RCA’s regional grants advocacy:
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- Funds exclusively allocated to regional communities (at the exclusion of suburban and metro projects) with guidelines that support the development of a broad range of regional projects and enabling infrastructure;
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- Further funding rounds have been committed for both programs, with the Growing Regions Program instigating a new two-step application process to avoid lengthy application processes for projects with little chance of success;
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- Both programs prioritise community and public infrastructure, with the Growing Regions Program accepting applications valued between $500,000 and $15 million, and the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program suitable for projects valued between $5 million to $50 million;
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- Support for business case development is available in Stream 1 of the Regional Precincts and Partnerships program; and
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- Council resources (in-kind contribution) are able to be utilised for the Regional Precincts and Partnerships program.
RCA thanks our members for their contribution to our survey which helped shape and determine these recommendations. Ensuring that regional programs are designed to meet the need of regional communities is fundamental to growing thriving regional capitals and is also a core objective of RCA.
See our table of recommendations and how these are incorporated into the two key regional programs.
Image: Maryborough, courtesy Fraser Coast Regional Council