The Albanese Government is calling for great ideas about how to make Australia’s regions even better places to call home, with the regional Precincts and Partnerships program now open for applications.

The program will help fund proposals for precincts, or hubs, that bring together the services and infrastructure our regional places need to thrive.

From the rejuvenation of main streets that help local businesses thrive to new innovation precincts that drive new ways of working – the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program is about partnering with communities to deliver their priorities.

The program will foster partnerships, bringing together all levels of governments and communities to deliver a shared vision.

The Government has allocated $400 million to the rPPP over three years, with $100 million available for 2023-24, and $150 million in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 years.

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, open spaces, or a building that catalyses or complements other investment within the precinct.

Applications are open to partnerships led by state, territory and local government agencies or bodies, regional universities, and incorporated not-for-profit organisations.

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts in urban and regional planning, ensuring successful applications are informed by the advice of experts and applications are transparently assessed.

The first tranche of successful applicants will be announced later in the year.

The program design for the urban Precincts and Partnership Program (uPPP) is currently underway and will be available to applicants who are not in the statistical boundary for the rPPP. Together, these two programs will work to deliver precincts across the nation.

Further information on the program, including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for streams one and two, is available on the GrantConnect website.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

• “I know how vital it is to have productive, equitable and resilient spaces for our regions and the communities who call them home.

“Partnerships are part of the fabric of regional Australia and the rPPP will capitalise on successful collaboration, setting it apart from typical grants programs.

• “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 local knowledge, we can deliver transformational infrastructure projects that communities can use and enjoy for generations to come.

“Our Government is dedicated to delivering programs that bolster our economy, grow jobs and deliver projects that make a difference, unlocking the nation’s true potential.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP:

“I am pleased to be part of a Government working in partnership with local organisations to transform our communities and support the projects that really matter.

“I encourage eligible organisations in our region to apply for funding through this exciting new program.

“I look forward to the fresh ideas that are sure to arise through this process, and seeing these places of purpose take shape.”