Activating regional, rural and remote communities

Joint Media Release from the Hon Kirsty McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and the Territories; and the Hon Catherine King MP, Minster for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

MEDIA RELEASE | 30 November 2023

The Albanese Labor Government continues to invest in the liveability, sustainability and resilience of regional, rural and remote communities – with over $1.5 million in grants flowing to 55 local-led projects across the country.

Delivered through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities program, the grants will support local organisations to uplift their communities, following significant disruption from COVID-19.

From workshops and education programs that will increase community engagement, to improving equipment and facilities at community hubs, – these small-scale projects will be high impact, including:

·         At Beechworth (Victoria), where $10,000 will be used to boost economic and cultural recovery after COVID-19 by holding a festival showcasing public art installations at 15 key locations throughout Beechworth.

·         At Numeralla (NSW), where $9,673 will support the installation of reverse-cycle air conditioning at Numeralla Hall to improve the comfort of this community space.

·         At Dalwallinu (Western Australia), where $10,000 will help vulnerable residents reduce post-pandemic debt by expanding intensive financial counselling to additional Wheatbelt communities.

·         At Wonga Beach (Queensland), where $9,658 will promote post-pandemic social connection by equipping Wonga Beach Primary as a community hub with a defibrillator and outdoor entertaining equipment.

·         At Kingston (South Australia), where $10,000 will support weaving workshops and the creation of a public artwork, led by local First Nations artists – promoting social connection and creative recovery.

·         At Cygnet (Tasmania), where $10,000 will support the Cygnet Living History Museum to purchase new cabinets for the display of cultural artefacts – celebrating and enhancing connections to local history.

·         At Katherine (Northern Territory), where $10,000 will support Camp Quality to deliver educational puppet shows in remote schools – enhancing the wellbeing of children affected by cancer.

The funding is part of the Albanese Government’s $5 million investment from 2022 to 2024 in the Rebuilding Regional Communities stream of the FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program.

The full list of funded projects and additional information about other grants awarded by the FRRR can be found at: www.frrr.org.au/funding/place/src-rebuilding-regional-communities/