$7.5M for the Northern Inland from Building Better Regions Fund

The Building Better Regions Fund announcement earlier this month has delivered almost $7.5 million to the Northern Inland Region. Six projects have successfully gained funding for projects in Armidale, Bingara, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Tamworth and Tenterfield.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said this funding injection to support 163 new infrastructure and community projects across drought-affected regional Australia came at a critical time for communities.

“Regional Australians have endured the devastating effects of a prolonged drought which has affected communities across the country for many years,” Mr McCormack said. “In addition, regional Australia has withstood one of the most devastating bushfire seasons, floods and now a global pandemic – to say they’ve been hit hard in recent times, is an understatement.”

“Their resilience will lead Australia’s recovery through grass-roots projects – creating jobs, boosting local economies and growing confidence in regional communities as a great place to live, work and invest. BBRF projects strengthen our local economies and drive much-needed local procurement, with thousands of jobs expected to be supported throughout regional Australia – delivering career pathways and enabling people to stay in the very communities they grew up in.”

“BBRF is all about strengthening the local economy, and delivering lasting benefits to our local communities which we know are suffering the flow-on impacts of drought.” said Mark Coulton, Federal Member for Parkes

“All these projects will drive economic growth and local jobs at a time when we need them most, transforming communities and helping to ensure that our productive and vibrant region remains strong, resilient and prosperous into the future.” said Barnaby Joyce, Federal Member for New England.

The six successful projects in the Northern Inland were:

Tenterfield Water Treatment Plant Replacement
Proponent: Tenterfield Shire Council
Grant Value: $2,645,000
Project Value:  $9,645,000
The project will replace and upgrade the Tenterfield Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

New England Regional Hydrotherapy Centre (NERHC)
Proponent: Armidale Regional Council
Grant Value: $2.316M
Project Value: $3,773,819
The project will provide a new hydrotherapy pool precinct within the Armidale Monckton Aquatic Centre.

Tamworth Intermodal Activation Plan - Phase I
Proponent: Tamworth Regional Council
Grant Value: $2,202,291
Project Value: $4,404,582
The project will construct roadways, a roundabout and utilities services linking access roads to a proposed intermodal freight hub in west Tamworth.

Gwydir Oval Lighting Replacement
Proponent: Gwydir Shire Council
Grant Value: $224,466
Project Value: $449,000
The project will replace existing lights at the Gwydir Oval with LED sports luminaires.

Messy Play Days at Toy Libraries
Proponent: Toy Libraries Australia Inc.
Grant Value: $19,935
Project Value: $20,985
The project will deliver seven Messy Play Days in regional New South Wales and Victoria.

Future Jobs Growth & Local Skills Gaps Research Project
Proponent: Glen Innes Severn Council
Grant Value: $84,200
Project Value: $84,200
The project will deliver two research projects to identify the future growth possibilities and population drivers for the Glen Innes Severn local government area.

A full listing is available of the successful projects for the Community Investment Stream and the Infrastructure Stream of the Building Better Regions Fund.