The Albanese government has been determined to provide something better for regional Australians.

Local government entities and not-for-profit organisations will be able to apply for grants of between $500,000 and $15 million through the program, which will be open, competitive and merit based.

The grants can be used to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, with lower co-funding requirements in place to support First Nations, disaster-affected and remote applicants to make their projects a reality.

By funding community and economic infrastructure projects in rural and regional Australia, the program will drive economic prosperity, enhance liveability, bolster social inclusion, and support local amenity.

Further information on the program, including the Round 1 guidelines, is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/regional-australia/growing-regions-program.

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

“As a regional Australian, I know how vital grants programs like this can be to make local projects in our regions a reality – projects that make a real difference for communities.

“This will allow local government entities and not-for-profit organisations to do exactly that, with funding under this program able to be used to construct new community infrastructure, or upgrade and expand existing facilities. 

Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters:

“There’s been a lot of speculation about what will replace the former Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

“I welcome the two-step process of inviting an expression of interest first. It’s a much fairer process.”