The Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt today encouraged community organisations and the council to apply for $2 million in funding for projects that improve their regions.
Mr Pitt said the funding is part of Tomorrow’s Regions: the Queensland Government’s Partnership with Regional Communities.
“This is the Government’s new integrated approach to working with rural and regional communities,” Mr Pitt said.
“Tomorrow’s Regions brings together the Blueprint for the Bush initiative and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committee’s to provide a stronger voice for rural Queensland.
“The funding is available for communities outside Southeast Queensland and major regional centres to implement projects that improve the economic, social and cultural capacity of their regions.
“Funding of up to $10,000 will be available to rural community groups or councils to develop projects in their community.”
“The money can be used to develop local sporting facilities, strategies to develop local shows or for volunteer organisations.”
Mr Pitt said examples of previous funding under the Strengthening Rural Communities Strategy included:
- $20,000 to the Yarrabah Aboriginal Council for a facilitator/broker to review the Council’s five year community development plan 2003-2007
- $20,000 to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to create the Liveable Cassowary Coast Plan
Mr Pitt said the Government committed to a regionalisation plan following the recent Queensland Growth Management Summit.
“We want to help rural and regional communities become places that people want to live, work and raise families and these grants are part of a plan to help make that happen,” he said.
“The Bligh Government wants to help rural and regional communities become places where people want to live, work and raise families.
“These grants are part of a broader plan aimed at making that happen.”
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said Tomorrows Regions values community input into matters that affect them.
“By linking with the RDA initiative, we will continue to engage with rural and regional communities to determine their own priorities for a positive future,” he said.
“The RDA initiative has established 12 committees across Queensland to work with all levels of government to address regional issues and to promote regional development throughout the State.
“As part of this commitment each RDA Committee is currently developing a RDA Regional Roadmap for the future of their region.
“Six of these committees will be asked to give special attention to the needs of rural and remote communities in their Roadmap.
“They are Darling Downs and South West, Fitzroy and Central West, Mackay/Whitsunday, Townsville and North West, Wide Bay Burnett, and Far North Queensland and Torres Strait.
“Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation staff will support the RDA Committees in these areas to engage with stakeholders and ensure the Roadmaps are targeting identified priorities for rural and remote communities.”
Organisations who wish to register their interest in the new funding program should email blueprint@deedi.qld.gov.au
Recent Comments