Growing Regional Economies Fund

The Growing Regional Economies Fund will support projects that have a strong alignment with the Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) and increase infrastructure investment and economic activity within regional NSW’s Functional Economic Regions (FERs). It will facilitate the delivery of the NSW Government’s 20-year Economic Vision for Regional NSWby co-funding transformational projects that enable economic growth and prosperity in regional communities.

The Growing Regional Economies Fund aims to accelerate economic development and prosperity in regional NSW, increase the appeal of investing in regional NSW, support investment in major transformational projects that increase employment opportunities in regional areas and ensure that regional communities have the infrastructure and services required for sustainable growth.

The Fund also has a focus on enabling infrastructure that will support investment in regional housing projects to meet demand generated by growth in employment and economic activity.

Eligible applicants are:

• local councils
• Lord Howe Island Board (in its capacity as a service provider for an eligible location not covered by a local government entity)
• RDA Far West (in its capacity as a service provider for an eligible location not covered by a local government entity)
• joint organisations of councils, or regional organisations of councils
• Australian universities
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Example projects

• Enabling infrastructure such as roads, bridges and other services to develop housing and investment precincts that can be linked to economic growth and employment
• Education, research and development facilities to drive innovation in engine or emerging industries
• Airport upgrades and expansions
• Enabling infrastructure that will support increased investment and employment opportunities.