Funding Wins of Over $30 Million for Our Region

Over the past two years, we have helped attract over $30 million in funding to our region, towards projects totalling over $68 million, but worth so much more to our economic and social growth. Our dedicated staff in Armidale have helped develop successful funding applications, with business cases, cost-benefit analysis and regional data for Local Government, not-for-profits and businesses across our region.

“Being an independent not-for-profit organisation, RDANI has been able to add real weight to funding applications for projects that genuinely contribute to the development of our region and for an economist, that is satisfying,” RDANI’s Senior Research Economist David Thompson said. “Applying data, research and economic modelling, together with our regional perspective, has delivered some of the best and most realistic applications State and Federal funding bodies have seen, according to their feedback. We also use services such as REMPLAN along with historical research and analysis of the current circumstances relating to a project to estimate the economic flow-on benefits of projects”.

Our economist James Pryor has provided a great deal of funding guidance to smaller community organisations, from country Show Societies to schools, childcare centres and sporting bodies. We identify relevant funding opportunities and inform the region about them via our newsletters, website and social media. However, partnerships are key when it comes to applying for funding, and engaging with us can be beneficial for applicants, local and regional economies.

One of our most recently announced funding wins for the region was made by Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson. The road project that will enable access between the Werris Creek rail freight intermodal and the New England Highway has a total budget of $9.146mil. and the State Government is to be commended for chipping in $7.296Mil. Liverpool Plains Shire Council took the initiative to work with us and the result will be a great economic driver.

Other big wins include the UNE Discovery Centre, which has a projected cost of $15.215M and received $6.128M in funding and Armidale Regional Council’s Airport Industrial Park, which attracted $6.5M, announced by Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall last year. We also helped Inverell Shire Council rake in $5M for the $5.73M Copeton Foreshores project.

A Gwydir Highway Roundabout attracted $2.2M for a $5.2M project and $1M was granted for the Armidale Adventure Playground. We assisted in securing $114,000 for the Tingha Skate Park. The Saumarez Homestead Tourism upgrade received $1.77M for a $2.87M project and Uralla Shire Council received $1.08M for their $1.1M Tolleys Bridge project.

We provide a freely accessible listing of available grants on our website for businesses, infrastructure projects and communities that is frequently updated. Our two monthly grants newsletters are also free, and can be subscribed to through the form on the left hand side of our website. If you would like personalised assistance with a funding application, please contact us at rdani@rdani.org.au.