Major new Regional Growth Fund now open

Written on the 2 March 2018

• Federal Government announces Regional Growth Fund
• Fund focused on major projects valued over $20 million
• Initial Applications now open

The Federal Government's highly anticipated $272 million Regional Growth Fund is officially open for applications from across regional Australia.

Speaking in Toowoomba today, Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh officially released the program's guidelines and encouraged potential applicants to come forward with great ideas to boost regional, rural and remote Australia.

"The Regional Growth Fund will be a game-changer across Australia by unlocking government funding for projects that have the capacity to transform regional areas," Dr McVeigh said.

"The Federal Government will invest a minimum of $10 million toward each successful infrastructure project, which will represent a maximum of 50 percent of project costs.

"We are focused on significantly leveraging our investment by working closely with local communities and other levels of government to drive the delivery of major projects."

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price encouraged her electorate to start thinking about how they can engage with the new fund.

"I encourage regional communities to think big when it comes to projects under the Regional Growth Fund," Ms Price said.

"Successful projects will provide greater support for existing industries such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, allowing them to innovate and flourish."

Ms Price the Regional Growth Fund was a key pillar of the Federal Government's unwavering commitment to delivering vibrant regional communities, and was supported by a record $75 billion infrastructure investment across the nation.

"The Regional Growth Fund is an open invitation to everyone eligible who believes in regional and remote Australia to partner with the Coalition Government to support positive change for the future," Ms Price said.

"Every community has unique strengths that the Regional Growth Fund will build on. I encourage all interested parties to get cracking on their Initial Application and get them in by 27 April 2018."

For more information on the program, including the guidelines and application process, please visit www.grants.gov.au.