The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, has announced that Round One of the $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund is now open to receive applications.
The Fund will invest $1 billion over five years in the priority economic and infrastructure areas—from freight and transport projects to convention centres and major multi-purpose sports and community facilities. Minister Truss said the fund will have a focus on strengthening economies in Australia’s most disadvantaged regions by improving their productivity, economic opportunity, employment, and workforce skills.
The fund will invest in infrastructure projects nominated by local communities, and will provide up to $10 million towards the cost of projects on a dollar-for-dollar basis. More information – www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf. Minister Truss also announced he is in the process of advising each council of its share of Roads to Recovery funding for the period 2014-15 to 2018-19.