Organisations across the Wimmera and the broader Grampians region have one more month to apply for a share in $200 million of grant funding through Round 3 of the Building Better Regions Fund.

The Human Powered Vehicle event (above) held in Dimboola in August this year benefited with a grant of $10,000 from an earlier round of funding through this fund, and other local organisations and events are encouraged to make an application.

Initiated by the Australian Government, the $641.6 million Building Better Regions Fund has been set up to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities across the country.

There are two streams of funding available:
  • the Community Investments stream which funds community activities, new local events and regional strategic plans, and
  • the Infrastructure Projects stream which supports projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

Each stream funds projects and initiatives up to $10 million with minimum funding amounts starting at $5,000 for the Community Investment stream and $20,000 for the Infrastructure Projects stream.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Grampians Committee Chair, Stuart Benjamin says that the Fund helps the Grampians region achieve fantastic economic outcomes and gets projects off the ground.

“More than $10.2 million has already been allocated to infrastructure and community projects across the Grampians region through Rounds One and Two of the Building Better Regions Fund and we want to see even more funding come the way of the Grampians region,” said Mr Benjamin.

Rounds One and Two of the Building Better Regions Fund provided funding to the following local
projects in the Grampians region:
  • $10,000 towards Dimboola Human Powered Vehicle Event
  • $10,000,000 towards the expansion of the Ballarat Sports & Events Centre
  • $149,650 towards new walking and cycling paths that link community, recreation, education, transport and business precincts in Beaufort
  • $62,700 towards the restoration of the Ararat Memorial Fountain
  • $20,000 for Agrifeast - a formal daytime event which showcases the Victorian Central Highlands region and celebrates the produce, people and future potential of the region
  • $5,200 towards Learning Together - an education based project to support children in Daylesford
  • $17,993 towards a digital showcase and community toolkit about HUL Ballarat for a global and local audience of community leaders
  • $18,700 towards a project aimed at building leadership skills and capacity for St Arnaud and Stawell Recreation Advisory Groups, along with the development of a Central Park Masterplan for Stawell

“Now that Round Three funding has opened, we’re calling on not-for-profit organisations and agencies to put their hat in the ring and apply for a grant to channel more investment in our local economy and build better outcomes.”

Interested applicants are urged to contact the Regional Development Australia Grampians office to discuss their project. The Committee can provide project guidance and letters of support for applications that are eligible, meet the program’s merit criterion and align with the RDA Charter.

“Round Three has a focus on tourism with $45 million earmarked for tourism related infrastructure projects that will help stimulate local economies,” said Mr Benjamin.

How to apply:

The closing date for applications is 15 November 2018.

For further information on eligibility and how to apply visit the Building Better Regions Fund website.

Applicants can request a letter of support for their projects from the RDA Grampians Committee by emailing rda.grampians@rdv.vic.gov.au.

Applicants will be required to provide the Committee with information on their project, and requests for letters of support must be received by 31 October 2018.