Growing Regions Fund
STATUS: Round Two Guidelines Now Available (16 Aug 2024)
About the program
The new Growing Regions Program (2 x $300 million funding rounds) will provide grants to local government entities and not-for-profit organisations, for capital works projects and community-focused infrastructure projects that deliver community and economic benefits which revitalises regions and enhances amenity and liveability throughout regional Australia. The program will run over 4 years from 2023-2024 and 2026-2027.
Round 2 will provide $393 million in total funding from a single stage, open and competitive application process.
The panel will consider your application against how strongly it aligns with your local regional or strategic priorities of your area or local government area.
Guidelines Available | Friday 16 August 2024 |
Applications Open | Thursday, 5 September 2024 |
Applications Closed | Thursday, 10 October 2024 |
Assessment Timeline | Not Yet Disclosed |
Example of Eligible Grant Activity
To be eligible your project must:
- be aimed at constructing new community infrastructure or expanding or upgrading existing infrastructure for wider community benefit
- not have commenced construction
- not have received Commonwealth funding to undertake the same grant activities
Eligible activities must directly relate to the project and must include at least one of the following:
- constructing new community infrastructure
- expanding or upgrading existing infrastructure for wider community benefit
Examples of these activities include but not limited to:
- community hubs and centres (youth centres, men’s sheds)
- art galleries/libraries/museums/cultural facilities
- aquatic/sports centres
- social and community infrastructure which encourages economic and social liveability
All activities must be strategically aligned to regional priorities and benefit the wider community. This will need to be addressed through the assessment criteria.
Other activities may also be approved.
*there are eligible expenditure requirements. Follow the links below for full grant criteria.
RDA Tropical North Support
For this and future rounds, to the best of our ability RDA Tropical North will provide support to potential applicants:
- to identify and develop a strong project proposal that will contribute to long term economic growth in our region, and
- provide feedback and guidance to help you prepare a competitive application,
- provide access to supporting documents, statistical evidence and economic impact data and,
- can provide a Letter of Support.
Please contact us at engage@rdatropicalnorth.org.au or (07) 4041 1729 to arrange a time to discuss your proposal or request a Letter of Support or an Economic Impact Report.
Note: there are rigorous eligibility and co-contribution requirements for projects. We encourage you to access the mapping tool in the grant portal where you can note the location of your project and it will advise you of your specific co-contribution requirements.
Regional and Strategic Plans
Some helpful links (but not an exhaustive list)
ORGANISATION |
REGIONAL PLAN/STRATEGY AND LINKS |
Australian Government – White Paper | Developing Northern Australia |
Queensland Government – Statutory Regional Plan(s) | FNQ Regional Plan (2009-2031 and currently under review) |
Cape York Regional Plan (2014 and currently under review) | |
Gulf Development Plan (Non-statutory) | |
Queensland Government | State Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2042 |
Queensland Government | FNQ Regional Economic Recovery Plan (Covid) |
RDA Tropical North | Tropical North Economic Development Strategy TEDS (2024-2029) |
Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) | |
Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) |
Cape, Torres and Gulf Opportunities Plan (2019) |
Advance Cairns | Advocacy |
Economic Profile (Cairns) | |
TNQ Regional Economic Plan 2011-2031 | |
Cairns Chamber of Commerce | Resources |
Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) | |
Tourism Tropical North QLD (TTNQ) | First Nations Tourism Action Plan |
Local Government Authority (LGA’s) |
|
Cairns Regional Council | |
Cassowary Coast Regional Council | |
Cook Shire Council | |
Croydon Shire Council | |
Douglas Shire Council | |
Etheridge Shire Council | |
Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council | |
Kowanyama Aborginal Shire Council | |
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council | |
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council | |
Mareeba Shire Council | |
Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council | |
Northern Peninsula Area | |
Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council | |
Tablelands Shire Council | |
Torres Shire Council | |
Torres Strait Island | |
Weipa Town Authority | |
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council | Corporate Documents including Annual Report 2021/22, Corporate Plan 2022-2027 (draft) |
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council |
Successful FNQ Projects - Round One (As of 16 May 2024)
Organisation | Project | Growing Regions Investment |
CASSOWARY COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL |
Mission Beach Town Centre Revitalisation Project (Stage 2) The project will restore town centre facilities and services to support tourism and improve safety. |
$7,924,508
|
THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA PROPERTY TRUST (Q.) |
Multifunctional OSCH, education and community space for Mossman, Queensland The project will construct a multi-purpose, community accessible complex including an activity centre and mobility friendly church. |
$743,843
|
MAREEBA SHIRE COUNCIL |
Mareeba – Lake and Parkland Upgrade The project will upgrade lake and parkland areas to improve accessibility and promote physical activity. |
$849,197 |
ETHERIDGE SHIRE COUNCIL |
Unearth Etheridge: Tourism Developments along the Savannah Way The project will include an extension to the Terrestrial Centre in Georgetown, a bird sanctuary viewing hub at Cumberland Dam, improved walkways and visitor signage at the Einasleigh People’s Museum at Copperfield Gorge, and the creation of ‘Our Elders Trail’ in Georgetown.
|
$8,235,000 |
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council |
Northern Peninsula Area Airport Runway Upgrade The project will upgrade the airport runway to ensure future operations and to deliver community-focused infrastructure for the benefit of locals and industry. |
$13,495,190 |
TOTAL TO FNQ REGION | $ 31,247,738 |