Federal Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent has welcomed the release of guidelines for Round Five of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and encouraged communities in the region to apply after the especially tough year they have faced with bushfires, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Building Better Regions Fund has been a vital source of funding that has enabled key infrastructure projects to be constructed for our communities and I am pleased the Australian Government is continuing to support our regional communities with this initiative.
“Throughout rural and regional Australia, we have $100 million of targeted support for tourism-related infrastructure to get regional tourism back on its feet, while maintaining $100 million for broader community infrastructure and investment.
“Locally our region has already benefited from previous rounds of the BBRF with investments in crucial projects such as the Bair Street redevelopment in Leongatha, the clubhouse rebuild at Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club and the community soccer pavilion at Bunyip Recreation Reserve, that are driving economic growth and delivering lasting benefits to our local communities.
Mr Broadbent said that with the launch of the program guidelines prospective applicants could now begin planning their project applications for assessment.
“I encourage local groups and organisations to review the guidelines and begin thinking about projects that will develop infrastructure with a particular focus in this round on regional tourism.
“This funding will create jobs and drive economic growth in our rural and remote communities at a time it is needed most,” Mr Broadbent said.
The guidelines have now been released and can be found at www.business.gov.au/bbrf meaning local proponents can now start developing their applications. Applications open on 12 January 2021 and close on 5 March 2021. Successful applicants are expected to be announced in mid-2021.
