On 3 March, Federal Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean announced a $1 billion five year program known as the Regional Development Australia Fund in his opening address to a national forum of community leaders.The Fund aims to boost economic and community development in regional Australia, and is a new approach to unlocking the potential of Australia’s regions by focusing on locally driven solutions to regional needs.
Professor Max Standage from RDA Logan and Redlands Inc was one of 55 committee chairs from across Australia to attend the National Regional Development Australia (RDA) Forum held on 3 and 4 March.
Minister Crean told the forum that each RDA committee would receive an immediate grant of $25,000 to strengthen their ability to represent their local areas. The Minister also announced the establishment of a $1 billion Regional Development Australia Fund – with the first funding allocation to commence on 1 July 2011.
“The Regional Development Australia Fund is a new way of investing in the regional Australia over the next five years,” the Minister said. “The Fund has a clear focus on local solutions, complete transparency and maximising long term economic benefits and I look forward to receiving applications for projects that stack up.”
Professor Standage welcomed the two funding announcements and said the RDA Logan and Redlands committee would have a central role to play in the assessment of applications.
“RDA’s are crucial to this Regional Development Australia Fund,” Professor Standage said. “The Federal Government has made it clear that only applications that are backed by local RDA’s will be considered for funding approval.”
Minister Crean said that these resources have been allocated as part of the agreement struck with the Independents last September.
“This is a great day for regional Australia and today’s funding announcements are proof of the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering local communities and regions,” he said.
The National RDA Forum was held at the Canberra Convention Centre and was the first meeting of its kind this Parliamentary year. Guest speakers included Mike Kaiser from NBN Co and Michael Deegan from Infrastructure Australia.
For more information visit www.rda.gov.au
