Investing in communities in regional Australia

The Australian Government is delivering 46 new local priority infrastructure projects in regional Australia. 

There are 40 successful applicants from Round 1 of the Growing Regions Program with total funding of approximately $207 million, and six from the first block of the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP).

Projects have been chosen after a full merit-based selection process.

Providing Commonwealth funding of between $500,000 and $15 million, the Growing Regions Program supports local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations to deliver capital works projects in regional and rural Australia that support community socio-economic outcomes and regional priorities.

Examples of successful projects include: 

  • $15 million for the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub (Stage 1) in Victoria 
  • $1.6 million for Noosa Regional Trail Upgrade in Queensland
  • $2.12 million for Copper Coast Regional Aquatic Facility in South Australia

The rPPP provides funding for the design and delivery of precincts, or ‘places with purpose’, to meet place-based community priorities.

The program seeks to provide transformative investment in regional, rural and remote Australia based on the aims of unifying regional places, growing their economies and serving their communities. 

This first batch of announced precinct projects includes:

  • $26.3 million to the Shire of Broome, Western Australia, towards the Walmanyjun/Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment 
  • $2.8 million to the Croydon Shire Council, Queensland, for the Croydon Precinct Growth Plan project 
  • $2.01 million to the Colac Otway Shire Council, Victoria, for the Colac Otway Adaptable Precincts project 
  • $650,000 to the Swan Hill Rural City Council, Victoria, for the Transforming the Heart of Swan Hill Precinct project

Assessment of further batches of rPPP applications is underway.

For more information on the these programs, including a full list of successful projects, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/regional-australia/regional-and-community-programs. 

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

“The Albanese Government is committed to investing in regional Australia to create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth and productivity – ensuring that our regions remain great places to live, work and play. 

“The Growing Regions Program and the regional Precincts and Partnership Program form a key part of this commitment, by investing in critical community and economic infrastructure across regional and rural areas, in a fair and transparent way.

“I look forward to seeing the successful projects roll out across the nation, supporting employment, stimulating economies and strengthening communities.”