The Federal Government’s $400 million regional Precincts and Partnerships grants program is now open to applications that seek to invest in regional, rural and remote areas, and support these communities’ economies.
The program also aims to unify these regional locations and serve their communities.
It will focus on a partnership approach, bringing together governments and communities to deliver regional precincts that are tailored to local needs and have a shared vision for how that precinct connects to the region.
Regional precincts or ‘places of purpose’ are areas with a specific shared need or theme. They support better land-use integration and ensure infrastructure investment considers and complements the broader region, its surrounding communities, spaces, transport and activities.
The Federal Government has allocated $400 million to the program over three years, with $100 million available for 2023-24, and $150 million for each of 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The program will be delivered through two streams, supporting both the development of precincts and delivery of construction-ready precinct projects:
- Stream One: Precinct development and planning: grants of between $500,000 to $5 million will be available for master planning, consultation, design, business cases and partnership establishment.
- Stream Two: Precinct delivery: grants of between $5 million and $50 million will be available to help deliver one or more elements of a precinct. This could be enabling public infrastructure (roads, pathways, underground infrastructure), open spaces between elements, or a building that catalyses or complements other investment within the precinct.
Applications are open to State, Territory and Local Government agencies or bodies, regional universities (which may be for-profit), and incorporated not-for-profit organisations.
With the program now open for applications, the first tranche of successful applicants will be announced in late 2023.
The program design for the urban Precincts and Partnership Program is currently underway and will be available to applicants who are not in the statistical boundary for the regional program.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that it is vital to have productive, equitable and resilient spaces for regional areas and the communities who call them home.
“Partnerships are part of the fabric of regional Australia and the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program capitalises on successful collaboration, setting it apart from typical grants programs,” Ms King said.
“It will bring together eligible entities including local, state and territory governments, universities and not-for-profit agencies, as well as other local stakeholders such as First Nations groups, Regional Development Australia committees and private enterprise.
“By tapping into their knowledge, the Government can deliver transformational infrastructure projects that communities can use and enjoy for generations to come.
“The Federal Government is dedicated to programs that bolster our economy, grow jobs and deliver projects that make a difference, unlocking the nation’s true potential.
“I look forward to the fresh ideas that are sure to arise through this process and seeing these places of purpose take shape.”
