Supporting regional communities in developing solutions to the challenges they face is the core philosophy underlying the Australian Government’s approach to regional development. The Regional Partnerships programme is one of two key programmes that put this philosophy into effect.
Through Regional Partnerships the Australian Government partners projects that focus on:
- strengthening growth and opportunities
- improving access to services
- supporting planning
- assisting structural adjustment.
There is $360.9 million available over the four years 2005–06 to 2008–09. Further information on Regional Partnerships can be obtained online from www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au
Applicants are encouraged to seek advice from the Area Consultative Committee (ACC) in their region. For information on your local ACC please see the website www.acc.gov.au. The Regional Partnerships programme has seen some significant outcomes since its inception in July 2003 as it continues to deliver wide ranging benefits to regional communities.
One of the many success stories has been to help establish the Dementia Unit (stage 2) at Mt Barker in Western Australia’s great southern region. The Dementia Unit officially opened on 7 April 2005 following construction of an eight bed secure wing attached to the existing residential aged care facility at Mt Barker’s Overton Hostel.
This project is a good example of a whole of government approach to assisting regional Australia with the Department of Transport and Regional Services, the Department of Health and Ageing and Local Government working together to assist the aged and community care services managed by Plantagenet Village Homes.
Regional Partnerships contributed $135,000 to this project with the total project costing $964,380.
The Eagles Sports and Community Centre located at Port Wakefield in South Australia is another success story where a small community has received assistance under Regional Partnerships to build a multi purpose facility that can be used by the whole community. The community now has a facility that caters for community and private functions that up until recently could not be held in the town.
Regional Partnerships contributed $68,430 to this project with the total project costing $236,880.
