Grant open: Building Better Regions Fund
The latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) opened a couple of days ago.
Grants are available through two funding streams:
Infrastructure Projects Stream – will support 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. Details are:
- You can apply for between of $20,000 and $10 million.
- For most projects grant funding will be up to 50 per cent or up to 75 per cent of your eligible project costs.
- Your location will determine the percentage of grant funding you can receive.
- Applications close 28 February 2017.
The Community Investments Stream – will fund community building activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, and leadership and capability building activities. These projects will deliver economic and social benefits to regional and remote communities. – Details are:
- The minimum grant amount is $5,000
- The maximum grant amount is $10 million, however given the nature of eligible projects they expect most grants will be under $100,000
- For projects with a total project cost of more than $20,000, grant funding will be up to 50 per cent or up to 75 per cent of your eligible project costs. Your location will determine the percentage of grant funding you can receive
- For small projects with a total project value of less than $20,000, grant funding will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs
- You may apply for a partial or full exemption to the co-funding requirement if you can demonstrate that you are experiencing exceptional circumstances
- Applications close 31 March.
For both Streams:
- You must have a project that has not started at the time of application
- The project must be located in regional Australia outside the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra
- You must complete your project within 12 months of executing the grant agreement with the Commonwealth and by 31 December 2019.
To be eligible you must be a legal entity, have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be one of the following entities:
- a local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995.
- a not for profit organisation (the Infrastructure Projects Stream requires you to have been established for at least two years).
The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’s AusIndustry Business Grants Hub is responsible for administering the program on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (this includes grant application, enquiries and project management activities).
There are information sessions being held around the country in the upcoming weeks. Dates and times are listed on the website.
Program Guidelines, the application form, contact details for enquiries, and other programme information, is available on http://www.business.gov.au/bbrf.