Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has encouraged community organisations and the Newcastle City Council to consider applying for funding under the recently opened Building Better Regions Fund.

Ms Claydon said the $297 million program will fund projects outside the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra.

“Too often, this government has overlooked Newcastle, but this is a great chance to bid for some much-needed support for important local projects,” Ms Claydon said.  

“Projects will be judged on the social and economic benefits they offer.” 

Ms Claydon said the funding is split into two streams – infrastructure and community investment.

“The community investment stream will provide grants from $5,000 for activities including local events, strategic regional plans and leadership and capability building activities, which the infrastructure stream will support new projects and improvements to existing infrastructure,” Ms Claydon said.

“I’d encourage community organisations to think about how this funding might help them to deliver more for the local community.”

Applications for the Infrastructure Projects Stream will close 28 February and the Community Investments Stream will close on 31 March.

For more information, visit https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/building-better-regions-fund