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Report released on regional infrastructure A federal parliamentary committee report offers a new approach to funding infrastructure such as public halls, sporting facilities, social clubs and tourist attractions across regional and local communities. The Funding Regional and Local Community Infrastructure interim report draws on the Australian National Audit Office report into the previous government’s Regional Partnership Programme and recommends a new framework for regional infrastructure funding. Chair of the House Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Committee Catherine King said regions across Australia deserve to have access to infrastructure funding on a fair and transparent basis. She said the audit office and a Senate committee found flaws in the previous government’s administration of the Regional Partnerships Programme which tainted some projects, led to questions about the transparency of the decision making process and in some instances saw substantial amounts of funding go to projects that never actually eventuated. The government signalled in the May Budget that it intends to introduce a Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Fund. “This interim report contains recommendations to government as to how the new fund may be structured,” Ms King said. “The interim report recommends that the new program cover all regions of Australia , employ a partnership approach and predominantly fund hard infrastructure. “It recommends that local government be the auspice agencies for projects that require a local government financial contribution. With not-for-profit organisations able to apply directly, where they are not seeking a local government financial contribution, but having to work with local government to establish their support. It recommends that for-profit organisations be ineligible to apply. “The report recommends three funding streams: those seeking less than $50,000 contribution from the program; those seeking between $50,000 and $250,000; and those seeking more than $250,000, and closed funding rounds.” “The Committee believes the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program has the potential to stimulate economic growth in local communities at the same time as improving the liveability of our regions.” More information
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