The Albanese Government is supporting eight projects across regional, rural and remote Australia with $45 million in funding through the latest round of the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

The $400 million program supports projects across regional, rural and remote Australia, driving local jobs, economic growth and more resilient regional communities.

This funding round includes projects in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, NSW and the Northern Territory.

Among the projects to receive funding is the redevelopment of Crago Mill Cultural Precinct in Yass Valley.

The Albanese Government will contribute $10 million towards the $45 million project to renew the site as a cultural and civic hub.

The major development in central Yass will bring together council services, a modern library, flexible community and business facilities, and an emergency management centre in one accessible location.

Stage 1 of the precinct redevelopment is nearing completion, including an administration building, emergency operations centre and library.

The Albanese Government’s funding for Stage 2 will build on this work by rehabilitating the Crago Mill building, which will feature a café, a yarning circle, and cultural artworks and storytelling displays.

A full list of projects funded through the rPPP is available at: infrastructure.gov.au/regional.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP:

“The Albanese Government continues delivering for regional and remote Australia.

“Projects funded through the $400 million regional Precincts and Partnerships Program deliver transformative investment that drives local jobs, economic growth and more resilient regional communities.

“Our funding for this project in Yass will help preserve the historic Crago Mill as an enduring community asset by creating culturally significant spaces, artworks, storytelling displays and a yarning circle.

“This will be a welcoming place for community connection, supporting local business, tourism and economic activity.

“We are supporting projects like this across regional Australia to boost opportunities and liveability by revitalising community assets and underused spaces.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for NSW, Deborah O’Neill:

"The Albanese Government understands that local services and facilities are at the heart regional communities.

"This investment will give the Yass community better access to council services, a modern library, flexible facilities, and breathe a new life into the historic Crago Mill, creating a place for stronger community connections in one central location."

Quotes attributable to Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones:

“This $10 million Australian Government investment is a welcome and much needed boost for the Crago Mill Precinct and for the Yass Valley community. It protects the value of the work already delivered, gets Stage 2 moving again and, alongside Council’s revised scope and efficiencies, helps reduce the anticipated project cost to our community from around $50 million to $35 million. That is significant support for Council’s financial sustainability and means we can move forward with confidence on a project that will create lasting cultural, economic and community benefits.

“Importantly, this is much more than a building project, it is a true partnership. Council together with the Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council, our Emergency Services, the Yass Valley Business Chamber and our broader community, we are creating a precinct that celebrates our Ngunnawal and agricultural heritage, strengthens our resilience in times of emergency and creates new opportunities for investment, connection and activation of our main street and central business district.

"I thank the Australian Government and all our partners for helping us reach this point. We have an opportunity to build something our community can be proud of for generations to come. The best part is we will do it together, and that is a blessing beyond measure.”

Quotes attributable to Marcayla Stopp, Chief Executive Officer, Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council:

“The Crago Mill Precinct presents a significant opportunity to recognise and celebrate the deep cultural heritage of First Nations people in our region. By incorporating Ngunnawal perspectives, stories and knowledge into the precinct, we can create a meaningful place for cultural learning, truth-telling and reconciliation, while ensuring the history of this land is respected and shared with the wider community.”

Quotes attributable to Yass Valley Business Chamber President, Jack Walker:

"This is a significant win for Yass Valley and demonstrates what can be achieved through strong collaboration between Council, business, community and government. Securing substantial external funding is an important step in reducing the financial burden on local ratepayers while progressing a project that is an important civic, community and business hub for Yass Valley.

“This investment reinforces Yass not only as the civic but also the economic centre of our LGA. Strengthening the heart of Yass Valley supports business activity, jobs, investment and services across the wider region, while recognising the increasingly strategic role Yass has to play within the broader Capital Region and its sustainable future growth.”