The Northern Inland must get a cut of $1.4B regional funding

Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) will be working hard to make sure the 13 Local Government Areas in our region get a fair share of the Federal Government's $1.4 billion Regional Development Australia Fund announced last week.

RDANI Committee Chairman Mal Peters said the federal fund provided an excellent opportunity to commence regionally significant projects that will build our communities and make them better places to live.

The RDA Fund was announced in Canberra last week by Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Simon Crean, to delegates of Australia’s 55 RDA committees attending the 2011 RDA National Regional Development Forum. The Northern Inland area consists of the 13 local Government areas in Northern Inland NSW and is a partnership between Australian, NSW State, and local governments.

Minister Crean said applications would be competitive and merit-based and must have the backing of local Regional Development Australia committees.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the Northern Inland. I am looking forward to working with local councils and regional stakeholders to identify and progress project applications," Mr Peters said. I hope to hold a meeting of all the council Mayors and General Managers to identify projects we can make sure are successful in the competitive tendering process within the next few weeks.”

"The federal fund will provide between $500,000 and $25 million for projects that will boost economic development create local jobs and lift the quality of life in local communities and regions. The announcement demonstrates a great show of faith and trust in local people to shape their own futures." Mr Peters said.

"This is a new way of investing in regional Australia with a focus on local solutions, complete transparency and maximizing long-term economic benefit and potential," Mr Crean said.

The $1.4 billion allocated to the Fund includes $350 million that has been set aside for disaster relief in regional communities.

Applications are now open with the first round of funding allocations to start in July 1. Guidelines are available from http://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf.aspx .

Media Contact: Mal Peters Ph: 0400 072558