Growing Regions Program - Round 2

The program provides 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 program is an open competitive program with funding awarded on a merit basis.

The program will enhance our regions by supporting liveable and connected communities. It will provide investment in community-focused infrastructure which creates and enhances amenity, liveability and social cohesion throughout Australia’s regions. The program is intended to support projects that fill an unmet need, respond to local priorities, are well developed with mature planning and development in place, and provide benefits to a broad cross section of people within communities.

The objectives of the program are:

• constructing or upgrading community infrastructure that fills an identified and immediate gap or unmet need for community infrastructure, particularly for communities that have experienced substantial growth
• contributing to achieving social outcomes and increased community cohesion, liveability and accessibility
• delivering increased amenity, liveability and community connectedness in line with the Investing in Places priority focus area of the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework to deliver targeted and place-based investment

As part of the Round 2 application process, applicants will be required to complete an initial online eligibility checklist to confirm eligibility, project readiness and program suitability. Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements will be able to submit a full application when applications open.