Guidelines release for transformative regional partnerships program

The Australian Government’s $400 million regional Precincts and Partnerships grants program is now open for applications.

The regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) will provide grant funding for precincts that seek to deliver transformative investment in regional, rural and remote Australia based on the aims of unifying regional places, growing their economies and serving their communities.

The program will focus on a partnership approach, bringing together governments and communities to deliver regional precincts that are tailored to local needs and have a shared vision for how that precinct connects to the region.

Regional precincts or ‘places of purpose’ are areas with a specific shared need or theme. They support better land-use integration and ensure infrastructure investment considers and complements the broader region, its surrounding communities, spaces, transport and activities.

The Government has allocated $400 million to the rPPP over three years, with $100 million available for 2023-24, and $150 million for each of 2024-25 and 2025-26.

The program will be delivered through two streams supporting both the development of precincts and delivery of construction-ready precinct projects:

• Stream One: Precinct development and planning. Grants of between $500,000 to $5 million will be available for master planning, consultation, design, business cases and partnership establishment.
  
   
• Stream Two: Precinct delivery. Grants of between $5 million and $50 million will be available to help deliver one or more elements of a precinct. This could be enabling public infrastructure (roads, pathways, underground infrastructure), open spaces between elements, or a building that catalyses or complements other investment within the precinct.

Applications are open to state, territory and local government agencies or bodies, regional universities (which may be for-profit), and incorporated not-for-profit organisations.

With the program now open for applications, the first tranche of successful applicants will be announced later in the year.

The program design for the urban Precincts and Partnership Program (uPPP) is currently underway and will be available to applicants who are not in the statistical boundary for the rPPP. Together, these two programs will work to deliver precincts across the nation.

Further information on the program, including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for streams one and two, is available on the GrantConnect website.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“I know how vital it is to have productive, equitable and resilient spaces for our regions and the communities who call them home – myself included.

“Partnerships are part of the fabric of regional Australia and the rPPP capitalises on successful collaboration, setting it apart from typical grants programs.

“It will bring together eligible entities including local, state and territory governments, universities and not-for-profit agencies, as well as other local stakeholders such as First Nations groups, Regional Development Australia committees and private enterprise.

“By tapping into their knowledge, the Government can deliver transformational infrastructure projects that communities can use and enjoy for generations to come.

“The Australian Government is dedicated to programs that bolster our economy, grow jobs and deliver projects that make a difference, unlocking the nation’s true potential.

“I look forward to the fresh ideas that are sure to arise through this process and seeing these places of purpose take shape.”