THE Federal Government says it will be simpler for regional communities to apply for financial support for development projects following the merging of regional development funding programs into one scheme.
The new arrangement, known as the Regional Partnerships program, will cover a few specific projects and those that formerly came under the Regional Solutions, Regional Assistance, Rural Transaction Centres schemes.
Regional Partnerships will focus on projects that:
p Strengthen growth and provide opportunities for economic and social participation;
p Sustainably improve access to services, particularly for those communities with populations of less than 5,000;
p Assist the identification and exploration of opportunities, and the development of strategies; and
p Assist communities to adjust to major economic, social or environmental change.
Assistance with Regional Partnerships is available from local Area Consultative Committees.
Funding applicants are also advised to gain support from their appropriate local governments.
Regional Partnerships will be operational from July 1.
Further information is available from: www.regionalaustralia.gov.au; www.acc.gov.au and www.alga.asn.au/links/associations.php