The COGB will receive $2,031,610 for the Heathcote Community Hub and Bendigo Foodshare will receive $665,636 for their Community Food Hub for Central Victoria.

The funding of these key local infrastructure projects is being delivered under Round 1 of the Growing Regions Program, which is providing around $207 million to fund 40 new local priority infrastructure projects across the country.

Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program will open in 2024. The program is competitive with funding awarded on a merit basis.

Providing funding of between $500,000 and $15 million, the Growing Regions Program will support local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations to deliver capital works projects in regional and rural Australia.

The Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct project that is being spearheaded by Bendigo TAFE will receive $1.182 million in funding under the Australian Government’s $400 million regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP).

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

This 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.


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 – making sure our regions remain great places to live, work and play.

“Our Growing Regions Program forms 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.

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

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


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP:

“I am thrilled to announce the Federal Labor Government will fund the Heathcote Community Hub, Community Food Hub and Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct priority projects in Bendigo and Heathcote, pitching in $3,878,783 collectively to make it a reality.

“Congratulations to the Bendigo TAFE, COGB and Bendigo Foodshare for their detailed grant applications and their success in these grant funding rounds.

“These projects will make a real difference in our community and I look forward to seeing the benefits flow as works get underway – supporting local jobs and the local economy.”