Growing Regions Fund
STATUS: Awaiting Updates
About the program
The Australian Government has committed $600 million over 4 years, commencing in 2023–24 for the Growing Regions Program to deliver investment in infrastructure across Australia’s regional, rural and remote areas.
The program is providing funding of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for capital works projects that will enhance liveability, bolster social cohesion and support local amenity throughout Australia’s regions.
The Growing Regions Program end date has been extended to 29 February 2028 to allow approved projects additional time to reach completion.
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.
Successful FNQ Projects - Round One and Two (As of 30 January 2025)
| Organisation | Project | Growing Regions Investment |
| Cassowary Coast Regional Council |
Mission Beach Town Centre Revitalisation Project (Stage 2) – Round One (16 May 2024) 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 – Round One (16 May 2024) 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 – Round One (16 May 2024) 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 – Round One (16 May 2024) 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 |
| Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Council |
Construction of a new Council Administration and Community Development Hub – Round Two (30 January 2025) The project will construct a construct a new, sustainable Council Administration and Community Development Hub to enhance the usage of the flood-damaged facility lost during Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023. The project will include offices, training facilities and resources to support professional development. |
$7,489,800 |
| Cairns Regional Council (Redlynch) |
Redlynch Community Sporting Precinct – Round Two (30 January 2025) The project will deliver Stage 3 of the Redlynch Community Sporting Precinct including two new rectangular fields, an oval field, amenities, internal roads, and parking, providing vital sport and leisure facilities for residents in the western suburbs of Cairns. |
$5,000,000 |
| Cairns Regional Council (White Rock) |
Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre (the Centre) – Round Two (30 January 2025) The project will construct a Community and Multicultural Centre with space specifically designed for cultural groups. Including fully equipped multipurpose rooms, a commercial kitchen, and outdoor spaces catering to a wide variety of events, activities, and services. |
$4,000,000 |
| Queensland PoliceCitizens Youth Welfare Association |
PCYC Cairns Upgrade – Round Two (30 January 2025) The project will upgrade the PCYC Cairns facility to include an expanded boxing/multipurpose area, a new air-conditioned chill-out room within the existing judo area, a new kitchen, a dedicated classroom, a shared recreational space and construction of a covered, weatherproof, fan cooled outdoor space for recreational activities, BBQs, and safe program management. |
$2,000,000 |
| Mapoon Aboriginal Council |
Mapoon Streetscape Beautification and Shared Cycle and Pedestrian Path – Round Two (30 January 2025) The project will improve the appearance, accessibility, amenity, safety and wayfaring for residents and visitors to Mapoon through constructing Mapoon’s first concrete shared cycle and foot path around the town centre and extending a link to two new suburbs, with shade trees along the path, solar lighting, a constructed plaza with covered seating area, a pocket park for Mapoon’s new subdivisions, two new Mapoon entry statements, and bilingual directional and interpretive signage. |
$1,959,358 |
| Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council |
Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council Digital Services Centre Project – Round Two (30 January 2025) The project will construct a digital service centre offering services such as remote learning, customer support, employment opportunities, and technical training that will enhance workforce capability, create employment and foster economic diversification. The project will also support external works and landscaping. |
$1,843,972 |
| TOTAL TO FNQ REGION | $ 53,540,868 |
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 |